Alt and Title Attributes

[devilzfan300]

In my website, I have some images that are just part of my layout, so I figured I could use them to improve my keyword density.

I added the phrase "targeted traffic" to their alt tags. Is this keyword spamming? I might do this to the links too by using the title attribute.

My website is in my signature, because I do not know if i am allowed to post the link. Thank you.

PS: Any other suggestions on how to get a better pagerank and how to get to the top of search engines? I thought I did everything...

[GeXus]

No thats what alt tags are for. But you should get rid of the activex exit popup

[awall19]

Originally Posted by devilzfan300

PS: Any other suggestions on how to get a better pagerank and how to get to the top of search engines? I thought I did everything...

better pagerank = more inbound links
better rankings = more keyword rich inbound links

[John Scott]

Google ignores the title attribute of images whether they are linked or not.

Google ignores the ALT text of unlinked images, but does weight the ALT text of linked images.

[realestate]

quote:Google ignores the ALT text of unlinked images

Good to know. thx.

[devilzfan300]

Im not sure how entirely accurate that statement is. A few weeks ago, I was scouting out some of my competitors and I found out that two of the top ten only had the keyword in alt attributes for all linked and unlinked images, the title attribute for all links, and the summary attribute in all table tags. He only had two sites linking to him. How can this be explained?

[John Scott]

Originally Posted by devilzfan300

Im not sure how entirely accurate that statement is. A few weeks ago, I was scouting out some of my competitors and I found out that two of the top ten only had the keyword in alt attributes for all linked and unlinked images, the title attribute for all links, and the summary attribute in all table tags. He only had two sites linking to him. How can this be explained?

Emphasis added.

Like I said, linked ALT text is weighted. Un-linked ALT text is not.

[Stats_Man]

Maybe worth noting that an image without an Alt tag generates an html syntax error for each ocurrence.

[hulkster]

I think that Google IMAGES uses the alt tag quite a bit, even for non-linked images (?)

[devilzfan300]

So adding your keywords to your linked images in alt tags can make that big of a difference?

Also, does anyone use the summary attribute for the table tags or is that just me. Because i see it as another way to increase keyword density and let google know what is going on. I dont see many people use it at all. It goes like this:

<table summary="blah blah keywords blah blah">

[Shawn]

Originally Posted by hulkster

I think that Google IMAGES uses the alt tag quite a bit, even for non-linked images (?)

From my experience google eats up keyword rich filenames for google images ie the-best-bachelor-parties.jpg

[Stats_Man]

Google specifically explains about the use of graphics in its "Design
and Content Guidelines",

"Try to use text instead of images to display important
names, content, or links. The Google crawler doesn't
recognize text contained in images."
- http://www.google.com/webmasters/guidelines.html


They also advise,

"Make sure that your TITLE and ALT tags are descriptive
and accurate."
- http://www.google.com/webmasters/guidelines.html


That does not mean spamming those tags. Paraphrasing from the references above -- The ALT tag is a benefit for accessibility reasons and should describe the image. If you start cramming it in an attempt to add content for a graphic page, it WILL be seen as attempts to 'spam' the system. Use the ALT tags what they're for, accessibility reasons, and you'll stay out of trouble - use it to try to add text for Search Engine Optimization, and you will just end up in trouble. (MHO)

[rushy]

but if G cant read whats on the image, how does it know you're spamming?

[awall19]

Originally Posted by rushy

but if G cant read whats on the image, how does it know you're spamming?

it cant read the images themselves, but reads the alt text to determine what the image is about.

for example this would be bad

<img src="black-hat-seo.jpg" alt="SEARCh ENGINE MARKETING OPTIMIZATION WEBSITE POSITIONING SEO SEARCH MARKETING TO THE SEARCH ENGINES USING SEO, PROFESSIONAL SEARCH MARKEING SPAMMING SEARCH ENGINES, etc...">

[Stats_Man]

I've always had to chuckle a little when ever I've read that statement -- Google Bot can't read text on the images -- but I suppose some people wouldn't realize that text on an image isn't text, it's an image... ahh the fine art of communication.