Comments on: Search Optimization, Accessibility, and Images: Best Practices

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:26:02 +0000

It’s true that there are some SEO consultants who specifically mention that they are no longer effective; but it’s equally true that equally well-respected SEO consultants still say that they are.

My point is that it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s an effective technique. It’s not worth the accessibility cost.

By: chi loop

chi loop — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:55:28 +0000

Nice article Joe.

And regarding the usage of alt tags for SEO, they used to be effective a really long time back, till it was noticed by search engines their heavy misuse for spam purposes. When talking about stuff on SEO, there’s a lot of vague stuff people say on the web. Not wanting to fall in that category, while I don’t remember any links to the sources I’d read for the fact that they once used to be effective, here are two links below to content by respected SEO consultants mentioning that alt tags are no longer effective for SEO.
How Important is ALT Text In Search Engine Optimization?

IL 2006: Wednesday Keynote: Web Presence for Internet Librarian
Shari Thurow

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:36:52 +0000

Thanks, Mike. The whole natural issue really gets me. If information is important enough for anybody, it should be important enough for everybody. There are always pieces of information which are truly targeted at specific audiences, but that's only a tiny portion of what needs to be present on any site.

By: Mike Cherim

Mike Cherim — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:41:46 +0000

Love it, Joe. This coincides perfectly with my feelings on the matter, especially in that an image is seldom anything more decoration, and if it’s not, if it has value, then the surrounding text is the most reasonable, effective, and natural way of telling the mind’s eye of the reader, sighted or otherwise, what to see.

Bookmarking this one in Ma.gnolia :)

By: Joe Dolson

Joe Dolson — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:51:34 +0000

I don’t mind using appropriate attribute text when necessary; it’s simply that most of the time, nothing at all is what I would recommend for best usability for screen reader users…

I know that many people will use reasonable attribute values without prompting; others will use empty phrases like “decorative graphic.” I’d certainly prefer something meaningful — - and most meaningful phrases are likely to contain relevant keywords.

What I know, however, is that many people take any suggestion of keyword use as a commandment, and will start to use them in places where they simply aren’t appropriate.

I’d hope to help prevent that…

By: Joost de Valk

Joost de Valk — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:40:04 +0000

Over-optimizing anything is never good for anyone. I strongly agree with you: use the alt tag for what it SHOULD do an include relevant content in it when necessary. You don’t have to shy away from using a nice keyword if it’s relevant though :)