Alt Tags! Unsure in this area

[Jills]

I use keywords and meta tags - but leave this are blank.
What's the best way to utilise this section without it becoming spammy!Should I leave it as I do rank quite high for certain words

Alternative text for the "title tag" of this page - the text shown in the title bar of the browser when a page is visited. Good for search engine optimisation as you can enter relevant keywords & phrases that you might not want to appear on the page itself. If left blank the "Page Title" field will be used instead.

Any advice appreciated

[RayB]

Alt tags on linked images count for SEO - but amount to zip if the image is not linked.

No harm in adding a keyword or two - but remember not to spam and that strictly the alt tag is supposed to describe the image for the benefit of those using browsers for the blind etc

[RedEvo]

If you tag images properly using alt and title you may get traffic from here. One of our clients gets traffic this way although admittedly not much. You might struggle in this section though Ray

d

[RayB]

If you tag images properly using alt and title you may get traffic from here. One of our clients gets traffic this way although admittedly not much. You might struggle in this section though Ray

d

Lol - good point

The point I was trying to make is that a good alt tag on a linked image helps the on page SEO of your site.

Here's the big tip - if you have a logo in your header linked to your homepage it's alt tag is one of the most powerful on page factors there is

Second only to the title tag IMO - as long as it's no abused or spammed

All IMO of course, as ever

[mfleming]

Alt attributes should be used to describe an image for users that use a non graphical web browser (eg links,elinks,lynx etc) or for users that rely on assistive technologies. longdesc allows more text to be used to describe an image but is not very well supported by browsers.

Alt text IS NOT a place for keywords, it is a place to make enhancements for users that need this extra information.

I find it hard to believe that Google will care much for the information in the alt attribute unless it is indexing for its image search.

**EDIT**

It seems that the above 2 posts were made when I was writing this

[RayB]

Alt text IS NOT a place for keywords, it is a place to make enhancements for users that need this extra information.

With respect I disagree - although again, the tag should be descriptive and not abused. It is a massive on page factor IMO

E.g. - have a look at the logo top left of this site - a very powerful onpage SEO factor - yet not abused

[RedEvo]

Although I would suggest prepending the alt with "The Logo of the " would bring it into line

d

[RayB]

Although I would suggest prepending the alt with "The Logo of the " would bring it into line

d

I'd rather put that at the need if at all - but of course strictly speaking you are correct sir

[Jills]

Ahh, thanks - A1 rocks the best place to beI think it's clarified a few issues (cider to all, to quench the thirst on this glorious evening)