Are you tagging your images all wrong?

When it comes to SEO, every word of your content has the power to raise your search engine results ranking. So you research your keywords and optimize your links—but do you make the most out of your alt text?

Alt text and alt descriptions take the place of an image that fails to load on your web page.

As a visual aid, this text describes the image, so that readers and search engine crawlers alike can develop a better understanding of your visual content.

In the rush to wring value out of a piece of content, overlooking alt text can cost you in the SERPs. Raise your SEO game by taking advantage of the image space your content offers.

1. The Importance of Image Tagging

Take a close look at the next Google search results page you find yourself on. You’ll notice something interesting, and it should make you question whether you’re playing the SEO game to the best of your ability.

Google has a tendency to prioritize its image search on a SERP. While images won’t always precede text-based content, you’re more likely to draw readers’ eyes if your own images appear in Google’s display.

Using alt text enables you to better communicate with Google’s SEO crawlers, and it makes it more likely for the images you incorporate into your text content to appear higher up in rankings. As such, using alt text in every image included in your web content helps draw more eyes to your business.

2. Adding Alt Text

Most content management systems, including WordPress and its competitors, make it easy for you to add alt tag to any image. You’ll click on one of your images and use the rich text module that pops up.

If you don’t have access to one of these tools, it’s okay. Most content managers like WordPress or Squarespace have built-in tools for including alt tag in a post. There are also a number of third-party tools, such as SEO Site Checkup, that can help you better understand your alt-text keyword integration.

3. Alt Text Tips

Once you have your rich module open, decide what you’re going to write. Your instinct may be to bombard the space with keywords that fit the theme of your post.

Don’t do this.

Instead, find a balance between adjectives that accurately and vividly describe the image and keywords that fit with your topic. Google’s SEO algorithms detect keyword dumps with ease, and you genuinely want your alt text to serve its intended purpose. Third-party tools such as LSIGraph will make it easier for you to discover and integrate natural keywords into your content.

Don’t miss an SEO opportunity. Use your alt text to make it easier for users to contextually address your content. As a bonus, you’ll watch your SERP ranking rise. Win-win.

Conclusion

Is your company in need of help? MV3 Marketing Agency has numerous Marketing experts ready to assist you. Contact MV3 Marketing to jump-start your business.

image attribution: Elnur – stock.adobe.com