Inktomi Algorithm and <alt> tags

quick but important question

[mpthink]

Greetings

Would appreciate the benefit of anyone's knowledge here.

Does Inktomi's ranking algorithm take into account the text within image <alt> tags?

Thanks very much for any help

[tigger]

I thought it was down to title & description to rank well with ink, I don't think ink even looks at the alt's

[Crazy_Fool]

>>Does Inktomi's ranking algorithm take into account the
>>text within image <alt> tags?

some engines will, some won't. IMO, doesn't matter, put them in anyway.

[martinibuster]

See Inktomi's content policy faq [inktomi.com].

In particular:

anything you do to accomodate the vision-impaired or wireless browsers helps you with search engines.

Alt tags are generally for the vision impaired.

Most search engines have a faq like that, a policy document explaining what they consider spam.

[mpthink]

That strikes me as a sensible policy.
It would certainly be a tad confusing for someone of impaired vision to hear the contents of a stuffed tag.

Best to keep things descriptive, pertinent and concise, I suppose is the upshot.