Tags for images

[Dexie]

Am I right in saying that for seo purposes:

If you have an image, that is *not* hyperlinked to somewhere else, you can only use the title tag.

If you have an image that *is* hyperlinked to somewhere else, that you can use the title tag *and* the alt tag.

Any help appreciated.

Dexie.

[Span]

Always use alt attributes to describe the image, linked or not. Title attributes are optional for any element and have no value for SE's (yet).

[Dexie]

Many thanks Span, so Google, Yahoo or msn wouldn't frown on it, if you used alt *and* title for all linked *and* unlinked images?

[Span]

Frowned upon? No, not at all. The alt attribute is even required for images. Just stay away from keyword stuffing and don't go over 80-100 chars.

The title attribute can be used on any element. In case of a linked image I would use it on the link tag, not the image.
<a href="" title=""><img alt="" /></a>

[Dexie]

Many thanks - that's useful to know.

How would you use the alt *and* title tags on unlinked images in an seo ethical way?