Google Says What?
According to Google, alt text is only a factor for image search, not general online search. Google using the alt text as a ranking factor is limited to image searches and it contributes nothing to a basic web search.
What is Alt Text?
Alt text, also known as alt tags and alt descriptions, is the textual language that appears on a web page in place of an image if the image fails to load on the user’s screen. This text aids screen-reading technologies in describing images to visually challenged readers and assists search engines to crawl and rank your page more effectively. The alt text communicates not only the image’s content but its context as well. Alt text, which is frequently confused with the alt tag, is technically part of the HTML code, although it simply contains the description of the picture contained in the alt tag and not the entire attribute.
Images in Search Engine Land
Finding the ideal image might be difficult at times in the search engine land. You must use the exact keyword and hope that the image is available. This is when an image search engine comes in handy. Without these search engines, you’ll have to sift through hundreds of similar photos in the hopes of finding one that works. Worse, you might see one you like but don’t know how to get to it. Image search engines, thankfully, exist to make your life easier. Popular picture search engines and reverse image search engines can help marketers find what they’re looking for.
Various Extract Text Tools
Text extraction, also known as keyword extraction, is a machine learning technique that employs machine learning to automatically scan text and extract relevant or core words and phrases from unstructured data such as news articles, surveys, and customer service issues. Nowadays, anyone can use a variety of extraction text applications, particularly those available online. You may this from any image with the text extractor. You can upload an image or a document (.pdf) and the program will extract text from it. You can copy it to your clipboard with a single click once the file has been extracted.
Testing Google’s Image Multisearch
Google multisearch is the most recent and new inventive search function and technology of Google that allows anyone to search by image file and then add text to that image search. According to Google, this allows users in testing the “move beyond the search box and ask questions about what you see.” Google multi search allows you to utilize your camera’s phone to search for an image file using Google Lens, and then add a text query on top of the image search. Google will then display you visual search results based on both the image and the text query.
How does Google multi search function? Simply launch the Google app on Android or iOS and tap the lens camera icon to the right of the search box. Then, point the camera at something nearby, utilize a photo from your camera, or take a photograph of something on your screen. Then, to bring it up, slide up on the results and press the “+ Add to your search” option. You can add words to your photo inquiry in this area.
Mueller’s Explanation
This is explained by Search Advocate of Google John Mueller during the Google Search Central SEO office-hours hangout on March 18. Mueller addresses multiple questions on alt text, which leads to several lessons about how it affects SEO. Adding alt attributes to photos is recommended from an accessibility standpoint because it aids visitors who use screen readers. When it comes to SEO, image text is recommended if you want your image to appear in image search results. Alt text, as Mueller shows, adds little value to a page in terms of online search ranking. Alt text is used to help in image search. Mueller is asked if alt text or images to text for decorative images should be included, which is connected to the title of this page. This is a judgment call, according to Mueller.
When using alt text in general, Mueller recommends focusing on the accessibility aspect rather than the SEO side. “I believe it is entirely up to you; I can’t speak for accessibility, so that’s the only point of view that exists; however, from the standpoint of SEO, the alt text aids us in better understanding the image for image search; and if this image isn’t important to you for image search, feel free to do whatever you want with it.”
He also added that it is something for decorative images; you’re not always interested in them. You don’t care about image searches for things like stock photos because you know the same image may be found on multiple other websites. You are free to do whatever you want there. In this scenario, I’d focus on the accessibility aspect rather than the basic SEO aspect. We would not argue that a textual webpage has more value because it includes graphics. We simply notice the alt text and apply it to the image, and then we can use it to better understand the image if someone searches for it. It’s not that the image-enhanced homepage would rank higher in a text-based online search.”
Search Engine Optimization Implications
Mueller is asked if it is still necessary to use alt text when the image itself has content about another issue related to alt text. Mueller advocates against adding text in photographs at all, but believes alt text could be useful in this case. “I believe that if you have text and photos, it is ideal to place the text immediately on the page itself.” These days, there are many new ways to show the word on a website, so I wouldn’t try to use text in images and then use alt text to help with that. I think alt text is a fantastic way to help with this, however, text in photographs should be avoided if possible.”
The topic continues with the question of whether alt text is useful when there is text on the page that describes what is in the image. In this case, the text on the page would suffice for search engines in terms of SEO. However, adding alt text is still a good idea for people who use screen readers.
“From a broader viewpoint, the alt text not only acts as a substitute or explanation for the image, which is especially crucial for those who can’t see individual images and rely on screen readers, but it also helps search engines comprehend what the image is about.”If you already have the same description for a product around the image, we have most of what we need for search engines, but it may still make sense to provide some form of alt text for that specific image for people who use screen readers.”
Make it Descriptive
Mueller underlines the importance of using detailed alt text. The text should convey what’s in the image to people who can’t see it. The use of generic content, such as reiterating product names, should be avoided. “In a case like this, I’d avoid instances where you’re stating the same thing over and over again.” So, rather than utilizing a product’s title as the alt text for a picture, explain it slightly differently. So that’s the kind of suggestion I’d make in that situation. It is not recommended to simply copy and paste the same content from a page as an alt text for an image because it neither helps search engines nor users.
If you feel you need help with your alt-text for images and photos, give us a call at (469) 536-8478 or contact [email protected]
