Alt tag: definition, functions and relevance for SEO
The alt tag, also known as the alt attribute and alt description, is an HTML tag that is applied to images. Here, the content of the respective image is briefly presented in text form. Such tags primarily enable search engines to capture the added informational value of image content. Without these descriptions, the services can only perceive images as such, but can hardly classify their value for the pages in question.
How does the alt tag work and what is it used for?
The alt tag actually has various functions. It usually works in the following contexts:
- Adding alt tags to images creates accessibility. These tags enable screen readers to analyze the corresponding alt descriptions and display their meaning. This means that people who cannot see at all or cannot see well can still perceive the added value of images on websites using such assistance programs.
- It does not always have to be a visual impairment that prevents people from viewing images on websites. If the relevant content is technically blocked for any reason, the alt tags or descriptions appear instead of the images. This significantly reduces the restriction.
- Last but not least, alt text offers search engines the opportunity to assess images in the respective page contexts. Alt tags therefore play a decisive role in indexing image content correctly. In addition, the texts also provide context-related information about the other content of the relevant pages.
Is the alt tag important for search engine optimization?
The information in alt tags ensures that users and search engines can better understand the content of websites.
The orientation support contributes significantly to pages being used more intensively. For Google and other search engines, this is a clear indication of a good user experience, which can have a positive effect on the ranking. In turn, the easier it is for search engines to scan pages and their content, the more regular and accurate the ranking assessment will be.
Alt text also offers another opportunity to include important keywords. As the use of keywords is still a central factor for search engine ranking, this opportunity should always be used.
In addition, alt tags or alt texts are a ranking factor for the image search of the major search engines. If you want your image content to appear at the top of the list, you should not do without appropriate descriptions.
As a healthcare agency , we can help with marketing and increase organic traffic or run effective paid campaigns.
Don't be shy, get in touch.
Sanofeld is an innovative healthcare agency with a focus on pharma and healthcare. We offer comprehensive marketing services for OTC and RX.
A: Hansaring 12, 50670 Cologne
E: mail@sanofeld.de