Basics of search engine optimisation – Part four – Alternate Text

Whenever you place an image on your website the alternative text for that image should be specified. Alternate text is also known as alt text or alt tags. Alternative text is used as a replacement for an image, whenever the image cannot be seen. This can happen, for example, when someone:

• uses a speech browser (e.g. a visually impaired person)
• uses a text-only browser (e.g. lynx or browsing from a mobile phone)
• uses a web browser with images turned off

Alternative text is also used in other circumstances: for example, Google image search uses alternate text to help return appropriate images.

Below is an example of good alternate text in programming code -

Here is a picture of Bridget, the dog.
<img src=”bridget.jpg” alt=”Irish Red Setter Dog”
title=”Irish Red Setter Dog” />