is "ALT Text For Image" Important?

[jani]

On my website I have not used the ALT text for images, but today when I was searching google images i realized that google will not get images from my website because the images on my site have no name.

Is it important to use ALT text? Does it help in getting some traffic from search engines?

[SkinnerW]

"alt" text for images is an important part of SEO process and also accessibility requirement.

If someone can not see your image for some reason how do they know what is supposed to be on that image?

SE spiders definitely can not "see" the actual image...

[jani]

oooo I see, That might be a big reason that I am not getting much traffic from search engines. I will just put the ALT text on all images asap.

Thanks SkinnerW... I am still waiting for your reply regarding the layout of my homepage. Is it OK now?

[SkinnerW]

yes Jani, your layout is not broken anymore but you should definitely consider learning at least basic CSS...

[Meti]

Yes, they certainly area. Search engines cannot read images, therefore setting ALT on images, may give a SE a clue of what you're hosting

- Meti

[mrcrowley]

If you have plenty of text in your web page its not that important. But Alt text on images is needed to validate your html. So its good practice to use it and it does attribute to the seo of your site.

[Bisje]

almost 30% of my google traffic found my site through the images... so yes, ALT is very important.

[vicdigi]

Originally Posted by Bisje

almost 30% of my google traffic found my site through the images... so yes, ALT is very important.

Brilliant results there Bisje. Do you have a photostock library website?

Jani, agree with all here. It is used flor many different reasons as stated above and depending what your site is it could even benefit it more than what you realise.

For SEO purposes it can work magic if not spammed.

[Bisje]

Originally Posted by vicdigi

Brilliant results there Bisje. Do you have a photostock library website?

nope, just bookcovers : www.boekensite.net - Google Image Search

[jani]

Originally Posted by SkinnerW

yes Jani, your layout is not broken anymore but you should definitely consider learning at least basic CSS...

Thanks for your feedback on the layout.

Yes, I Will definitely learn CSS and all the coding part, once I get the job.. cuz I am jobless now and have not much money to pay the fees for this web development course ATM

Originally Posted by Bisje

almost 30% of my google traffic found my site through the images... so yes, ALT is very important.

I see, Thanks for the feedback. I have now updated my website and now all of the images have ALT text. Hope it will increase the traffic to my site from search engines