Ok so I just had an argument with my clients who claim to be SEO experts. The argument was regarding placing images inside the html code. I usually place images which are part of the layout using CSS image replacement techniques. What happened is that, for the logo of the site (and other similar images), I used a <h1> tag which had the name of the site and I replaced it with an image using CSS so that browsers would see the image where as search engines, screen readers and browsers which have CSS / Images disabled would see the text instead. But they werent so thrilled about this method and wanted me to place them as an <img /> instead - why? Because for some reason I know nothing about, they wanted to target the name of the images. They made me place all the images as <img /> and made me give names like mortgage_guide.jpg etc. I personally see no sense in this but would like to know if anyone is aware of any? -- Naif
IMO your approach could be viewed as cloaking (I'm not too familiar with CSS though). Your client may also be trying to get the benefit of using alt tags to target different words.
1.) using <img> will get you more traffic from google images 2.) those file names have keywords in them, and can increase PR 3.) What you're doing could be construed as spam, and get the site in trouble 4.) using an ALT tag on the images, especially if the logo is also a link, can boost relevance 5.) h1 tags are used by search engines to determine the topicality of the page. Unless every h1 tag was unique, you are not using them to their fullest potential. I do like your h1 tag idea, but only if the contents of that tag are unique throughout the site.
@Jaysonnhs I understand my method can be a bit dangerous. Although I have also read it can be benificial. But I am careful when using this method. I make sure I place the text thats there inside the image instead of filling it up with a bunch of keywords. And I feel using this method makes the code look more semantic, clean and light weight They are least interested in the alt tag. They are more focused on the file names.
@Mike 1. I am aware of that. But I feel this makes sense only for images which are part of the content and not layout. Say if I was creating a site for a celebrity. I would place his/her pictures as <img> tags and properly name them so that I could target them on google images. But who would search for mortgage guide on google images? 2. Can you elaborate on that? I dont see how that would effect the PR? 3. I am aware of that Thats why in my previous post I wrote I am careful when using this technique 4. But a heading would give more strength than an alt tag would 5. Hmm. Thats not how I do it. I might change this strategy, if I am convinced. I usually place the name of the site inside an <h1> (which remains the same throughout the site) and the name of the page inside an <h2>
Naif, Given your explanations, no, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I have had site designers out there who do what you're doing with the Logo and I just don't like it, because it's not a heading. Make it a div class='logo', but honestly, you can fit some more relevant keywords in that h1 tag than whatever the logo is. Now, if you are putting the words of the images in there instead of alt tags, then absolutely, keep doing it. File names are not weighted heavily #1 alt tags can be hidden, so their weight is questionable as well. Now, when I code, I try to keep as much text out of images as possible, for the same reason why you're replacing it altogether. I want that flat text in there. I say do it, and show me the CSS you're using to do it. The only problem I could see besides the inherent risks (of which, lets face it, are very minimal), is that when I view it on my blackberry browser and you have a graphic like a map or something, I won't be able to see it. Otherwise, I'd say you're in the SEO clear, and you're doing a fine job.
There is no problem et al with what you are doing. If i am not wrong then i saw the same question being asked on a puzzle at SEOMOZ (if i am not wrong) and the same thing was the right answer. So you dont need to worry about it et al. And IMHO as far as your client is concerned, he seem to be off from the SEO field thats why thinking that you are using cloaking.
Good call. And if you're wondering, I don't do SEO for a living. I'm a web developer who focuses on accessibiity, minimal markup, SEO and usability, so you've just earned my respect for doing the right thing. The logo is actually content since it identifies the site. Furthermore headings are used to identify the sections of content that will be immediately following them on the page. Using the H1 heading for the site title runs counter to this isnce each page is independent of each other, while still being a part of the site. I use an actual IMG element for the logo, but leave the rest of the branding as a background image on the DIV holding the IMG element (and that DIV has an ID of "header" if you're wondering) in all of my work. Besides, if you use the H1 heading as the top-level heading of a Web page, you'll only be using one of them anyway, and you'll be able to use it to briefly describe and introduce the content of each page to the user, then use the H2-H6 headings the way they were intended - something most "SEO experts" actually get wrong either out of ignorance, lack of understanding, or even malice. For the logo I'd accomodate that request, but with the stipulation that the file name and alt attribute used are to identify the image as a logo and to provide a textual equilvilent of the image for those users (such as search engine spiders) that can't see the image.
Hi everyone. The replies here haven been helpful but the topic has been changed. And I am partly responsible for that My question was regarding search engines and filenames used inside <img /> tags - do they impact search engines? He isnt thinking I am cloaking. He wants me to stop doing CSS image replacements and instead wants me to add the images to the html code so that he can target the filenames of these images. @Dan Thank you for that post. I'll try making better use of the <h1> tag from now onwards -- Naif
images have a good impact on the sites serps. . . .usually image search brings in some visits too. . . .i found that names matter more than alt in some of my own sites. ..
The image file names will help with image searches, as well as maintenance since you'll know what the image is without having to open it in an image program or browser.