Make images accessible and SEO-strong

Make images accessible and SEO-strong

Images play a central role in website design because they convey visual information and improve the user experience. But in order to make images accessible and optimized for search engines, there are some important points to consider. Here I explain how you can make images both accessible and SEO-friendly .

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1. Use of alt text (alt text)

Alt text is one of the most important factors in making images both accessible and SEO-strong .

• Accessibility:
  The alt text describes the image for users who rely on screen readers to navigate the website. In this way, people with visual impairments can also understand the content of images.
• SEO:
  Search engines like Google can’t directly “see” the content of images. The alt text helps search engines understand the content of the image and correctly include it in the index.

Tips for good alt text:

• Descriptive and concise: The text should describe the image briefly and accurately. Example: Instead of “Image1”, write “Freshly baked bread on a wooden board”.
• Avoid keyword spamming: The alt text should be natural and not overloaded with keywords.
• Maximum 125 characters: Make sure that the alt text is not too long, as screen readers often only read a certain length.

Example:

<img src="brot.jpg" alt="Frisch gebackenes Brot auf einem Holzbrett">

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2. Optimize image sizes and formats

Accessibility:

• Avoid excessive file sizes: Large images can slow down the loading speed, which can be problematic for people with slow internet connections.
• Reactive: Make sure images display correctly on mobile devices to ensure an accessible experience on all devices.

SEO:

• Optimized file sizes: Large images slow down your page load time, which can negatively affect both the user experience and your ranking on Google. Use tools like ImageOptim or TinyPNG to reduce file size without sacrificing quality.
• Formats: Take advantage of modern image formats like WebP, which offer better compression and smaller file sizes while preserving image quality.
• Responsive images: Use the HTML tag <picture> and attributes and sizesto offer images in different sizes for different screen resolutionssrcset.

Example:

<picture>
  <source srcset="bild.webp" type="image/webp">
  <source srcset="bild.jpg" type="image/jpeg">
  <img src="bild.jpg" alt="Frisch gebackenes Brot auf einem Holzbrett">
</picture>

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3. Image titles and descriptions

• Accessibility:
  While alt text is important for screen readers, an image description can also be important, especially for complex images or infographics. Additional information can be given here that better explains the picture.
• SEO:
  Image titles and descriptions can also help increase relevance to specific searches, especially if they contain relevant keywords.

Example:

<img src="bild.jpg" alt="Frisch gebackenes Brot auf einem Holzbrett" title="Frisch gebackenes Brot, perfekt für das Frühstück">

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4. Optimize file names

The filename of the image is another important SEO factor. A well-chosen file name can contribute to both SEO and accessibility .

• SEO:
  The file name should contain relevant keywords that describe the image and content of the page. Avoid cryptic file names like “IMG_12345.jpg.” Instead, it is better to use “frisch-gebackenes-brot.jpg”.
• Accessibility:
  A descriptive file name also helps people who search files manually to find their way around more easily.

Example:

<img src="frisch-gebackenes-brot.jpg" alt="Frisch gebackenes Brot auf einem Holzbrett">

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5. Captions and Context

• Accessibility:
  A clear caption or context around the image can help users who use screen readers to better understand the purpose and content of the image. If the image is part of an article, it should be described in the context of the text.
• SEO:
  Captions and the text around the image can also help with SEO, as search engines can read and understand the surrounding text.

Example:

<figure>
  <img src="frisch-gebackenes-brot.jpg" alt="Frisch gebackenes Brot auf einem Holzbrett">
  <figcaption>Frisch gebackenes Brot aus der Bäckerei XYZ, perfekt für das Frühstück.</figcaption>
</figure>

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6. Improve image performance

• Lazy Loading:
  Don’t load images until they appear in the user’s field of vision. This improves loading speed and is especially important for accessibility on mobile devices. Example: <img src="frisch-gebackenes-brot.jpg" alt="Frisch gebackenes Brot" loading="lazy">
• CDN (Content Delivery Network):
  Use a CDN to load images faster by delivering them from servers close to the user.

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Summary:

• Alt Text: Describe the image concisely and naturally to make it both accessible and SEO-friendly.
• Optimize file sizes: Reduce loading times with smaller image files and modern formats like WebP.
• Filename: Use descriptive file names with relevant keywords.
• Captions: Give context to the image to improve both accessibility and SEO.
• Lazy Loading and CDN: Improve loading speed to optimize both user experience and SEO.

By implementing these tips, you’ll not only make your images accessible to everyone, but you’ll also optimize them for search engines, resulting in better visibility and user experience.