Search Engines can only read text so the need to add ALT tags on your images arises. In this video, Matt Cutts disccusses the importance of using ALT tags on your images. Watch the simple steps of adding ALT tags in your images and help improve your traffic from search engines.
With Wordpress, placing ALT tags on your images is very simple. When you upload your images, make sure to add a Title and a Description.
Blogger Users
Unfortunately for Blogger users, you will have to do the coding yourself. To place ALT tags on your images, you need to switch your text editor to HTML format. Then you can add your ALT tag as shown in the diagram below.
ALT Tag Tips From Matt Cutts
Let me reiterate the important points raised by Matt Cutts when placing ALT tags on your images.
- Do not stuff keywords in your ALT tag (i.e. alt=”blogging tips, tips on blogging, blogging”).
- Use simple description. (i.e. alt=”blogging tips”)
- Do not make your ALT tag spammy (5 to 7 words will do).
- You can go advance and rename your image (i.e. blogging_tips.jpg /.png)
Think Like a Search Engine User
I also recommend you to think like a search engine user when you place ALT tags in your images. Don’t just use simple descriptive words on your ALT tag, use descriptive words that search engine users use.
Don’t Use One-Word Generic Terms
When placing ALT tags in your images, don’t use a one-word ALT tag (i.e. alt=”blogging”). Blogging is a very generic and competitive word so expect that this has been used by a lot of blogger in their ALT tags. Try to use 3 to 7 words (i.e. alt=”old man blogging”). Doing this will help improve your chances of getting traffic from search engines.
If you’re not using your ALT tags, you’re missing potential traffic from search engines. Adding ALT tags on your images is an easy but rewarding blogging practice. Next time you use an image on your post, don’t forget to place an ALT tag. Or better yet, go back to your old post with images and place ALT tags on them.
Thank you for your time! 
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nimrodjo responded on 08 Feb 2008 at 3:06 pm #
Good stuff man…I’ll never going to leave those 2 box anymore…title and description..
KatalinaMau responded on 08 Feb 2008 at 9:15 pm #
Great post on an important topic! Too many people forget their alt tags. Alt tags are important for your readers who may not be reading with their eyes!
I did like the suggestion to use key words for alt tags. For some reason I had never thought of that!
Thanks for the post.
Katy responded on 09 Feb 2008 at 5:57 am #
This is good information and very important for people to remember. A good deal of visitors can come from such places as Google images if images are properly tagged. That includes using a title tag.
However, I’d like to point out that when you upload an image in your dashboard, whatever is placed into your “description” box is never shown in the code output. Filling in that box does nothing for you with search engines.
Best practice is to understand how to code and entire string for an image (including linking an image) using both the alt and title tags.
UriShare - Blogging tips - importance of using alt tags in your images responded on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:12 am #
[...] Blogging tips - importance of using alt tags in your images Just another post on the importance of using ALT tags on your images. Submitted: 1 minute ago Category: Offbeat Submitter: RssFeed Website: http://www.bloggingmix.com Report this link: Click here to report Comments: 0 [...]
Pinoy Blogosphere Weekend Recap (02/10/08) | PinoyBlogero.com responded on 10 Feb 2008 at 12:39 am #
[...] Adding an image in your post? Don’t forget to add the ALT tags! Blogging Mix tells you why they are important on his post. [...]
Mr. Javo responded on 10 Feb 2008 at 3:12 am #
Alt tag is one of most important things to improve your SEO. Using alt tag combined with the tittle tag you can provide the image information to google, yahoo or any search engine, helping them to index your images and their information.
AngelBaby responded on 11 Feb 2008 at 11:20 am #
This is great! I will never leave the title or description blank again! Thank you so much for this great information.
Love and Blessings,
AngelBaby
Blogosphere News 23 Feb | Blogging Sueblimely responded on 23 Feb 2008 at 3:21 pm #
[...] posted on how and why to use Alt tags. Blogging Mix has also published an article on the subject Blogging Tips - Importance Of Using ALT Tags In Your Images, which includes a YouTube video by Matt [...]
Posts On Blogging Tips » Blogging Tips - Why Blogs Can Boost Your Online Business Income responded on 24 Feb 2008 at 4:48 pm #
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Hussein responded on 20 Mar 2008 at 7:57 pm #
great tips. this is very helpful for beginners in blogging like me.
Hussein’s last blog post..Good Ways To Build Backlinks
Rukshan Kothwala responded on 11 Apr 2008 at 1:53 pm #
Thank you very much! you supplied great things for blogging.
Rukshan Kothwala’s last blog post..Display RSS feed in your FaceBook profile