Alt tags on images and image links

Discussion in 'HTML & Website Design' started by Toonces51, Dec 12, 2005.

  1. #1
    OK, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find a thread on it (probably because of the broad terms).

    I know that I should be adding alt tags to images so that spiders can find the text--my question is, is it more important to do on an image that is a link than an image that is just an image?

    I'm assuming an image link alt tag would be paid more attention than a non-link...

    Thanks for any feedback.

    Toonces51
     
    Toonces51, Dec 12, 2005 IP
  2. DomainLoot

    DomainLoot Guest

    Best Answers:
    0
    #2
    "non-clickable" images with alt tags aren't helpful from an S E O point of view, but can be useful for your site visitors/customers - of course.

    make your images "clickable" where it makes sense to do so.

    cheers,
     
    DomainLoot, Dec 12, 2005 IP
  3. Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    7
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    128
    #3
    It is good practice to always include alt tags with images. It also makes a lot of sense to make the alt tag on a clickable image keyword rich.

    T
     
    Amsterdam, Dec 13, 2005 IP
  4. FeelLikeANut

    FeelLikeANut Peon

    Messages:
    330
    Likes Received:
    19
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    It's more than good practice; it's actually required for it to be valid HTML.
     
    FeelLikeANut, Dec 13, 2005 IP
  5. Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    7
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    128
    #5
    Of course. But not strictly necessary to produce a web page. There are many WYSIWYG users who have no idea what valid HTML is.

    T
     
    Amsterdam, Dec 13, 2005 IP
  6. Toonces51

    Toonces51 !@#$%^&*^%#@#$%

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    108
    #6
    Thanks for the feedback. I always slap some alt tags in my images, but I'm dealing with some legacy issues with some clients, and I wanted to make sure I was explaining it correctly.
     
    Toonces51, Dec 13, 2005 IP
  7. ScottBannon

    ScottBannon Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    408
    Likes Received:
    31
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    168
    #7
    Out of curiosity, doesn't Google Images index graphics based on alt tags? If so, it would seem to me that they are of SEO value.

    However, there's a reason they're required to validate as X/HTML and it's also a matter of common courtesy, many people surf the web with images turned off or on non-graphical devices, so the alt tag allows your page to make more sense to them.
     
    ScottBannon, Dec 13, 2005 IP
  8. AMysticWeb

    AMysticWeb Guest

    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    When you place the Alt tag on your images, you are also allowing visually impaired site visitors a way of deciphering the image with a screen reader.
     
    AMysticWeb, Dec 14, 2005 IP
  9. Alberta

    Alberta Peon

    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    I have to second that for the effort it requires, including alt tags is always a good thing to do.

    Take Care.
     
    Alberta, Jan 6, 2006 IP