Using Alt in images. Is it necessary? Need some help.

Using Alt in images. Do you need to add it?

[frenzy77]

Hey guys:)

I was optimizing a page and i have done most of it already, but as i was viewing some of the competition, i noticed that they use the Alt tag in their images at the top of the page. So i was wondering, if i already optimized the page, should i add an Alt tag into the image with the keyword in it aswell? I don't know if i should since i do not want to Over optimize the page. Do i really need to add it in? Also i noticed my software program state that ALT tags should be included in the 1st 3 instances on the page.

Q.1. > So, should i add a ALT tag with the extra keyword phrase in it?
(Just 1 Alt tag with kw phrase for the page.)

Q.2. > Or will that be too much? Is it counted differently than the Real kws in the Content since it's in the image?

Ex. > <a href="....." alt="kw">widget</a>

Well, thanks guys for your help:)
I appreciate your help.

frenzy77

[benevolent001]

Frenzy there are two aspects let me explain both of these for you

As search engines cannot read text in images so we need to tell what is in that image so Alt text is used
we tend to make search engines fool by stuffing keywords in alt text and pray for good rankings

now comes the real need of alt text , many of our fellow internet users are blind , so how they can know what is in this image? So we as webmasters write exact descripton in Alt tag what the image actually shows , so that they can actually hear the audio of text written by us in alt text and should know much more about our website

Its all they way you want to go , i have told you purpose of Alt text , hope this helps

One thing more , Alt text is shown in leiu of image in case the image fails to load up so you much be beware to use alt text like keyword , keyword , keyword , keyword , keyword .....

[frenzy77]

Thanks, but i was refering to the optimization aspects. I do know that the alt tag is for specific purposes as you stated. The alt tag i was going to use does describe the image, but i was wondering if i should add the "Keyword phrase" in for Seo of the tag with the description or would that be too much optimization for the page by using the Alt tag also. The page is optimized, but im not sure if i should add the Alt and "kw" for seo and the description. Some of the competition is using the Alt tag. It is being used approprietely as it does describe the image, but with a kw phrase added for Seo.

Q. > Anyone have advice on Seo as was stated in the question using the Alt tag? Refering to Over optimization. Would it be too much if i added 1 alt tag on the page with the phrase? I have not used an Alt tag on the page yet.

Thanks guys:)

frenzy77

[jimbeetle]

If the keyword phrase is relevant to the image and needs to be used to describe it in the alt attribute, then use it. If it isn't relevant and not needed, then don't.

[sitetruth]

Definitely provide an ALT tag on any image that's clickable. Both search engine spiders and screen readers need that info to navigate. Purely decorative images don't usually need an ALT tag.

[sonjay]

Purely decorative images should get an empty alt tag: alt=""