What to Know:
– Alt text is a description of an image that is used by search engines to understand the content of the image.
– Alt text is important for accessibility purposes, as it helps visually impaired users understand the content of an image.
– Google has stated that alt text is not a direct ranking factor for web search, but it is unclear whether it plays a role in ranking for Google Image Search.
– A recent study conducted by Searchmetrics analyzed the top 20 ranking images for 13,000 keywords and found that 79% of them had alt text.
– The study also found that images with alt text tended to rank higher in Google Image Search compared to images without alt text.
– However, correlation does not necessarily imply causation, so it is unclear whether alt text directly influences rankings in Google Image Search.
The Full Story:
Alt text, or alternative text, is a description of an image that is used by search engines to understand the content of the image. It is an important element of SEO practices, as it helps search engines index and rank images. Additionally, alt text is crucial for accessibility purposes, as it allows visually impaired users to understand the content of an image through screen readers.
While alt text is widely recognized as an important element for web accessibility, its role as a ranking factor for search engines, particularly Google Image Search, has been a topic of debate among SEO professionals. Google has stated that alt text is not a direct ranking factor for web search, but it is unclear whether it plays a role in ranking for Google Image Search.
To shed some light on this topic, a recent study conducted by Searchmetrics analyzed the top 20 ranking images for 13,000 keywords. The study found that 79% of the top-ranking images had alt text. This suggests that alt text may have some influence on rankings in Google Image Search.
Furthermore, the study found that images with alt text tended to rank higher in Google Image Search compared to images without alt text. However, it is important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. While the study suggests a correlation between alt text and higher rankings, it does not prove that alt text directly influences rankings in Google Image Search.
There could be other factors at play that contribute to the higher rankings of images with alt text. For example, images with alt text may be more likely to have relevant and descriptive file names, which could also contribute to their higher rankings. Additionally, images with alt text may be more likely to have surrounding text that is relevant to the image, which could also impact their rankings.
It is also worth noting that the study only analyzed the top 20 ranking images for each keyword. This means that the findings may not be representative of the entire Google Image Search algorithm. Further research and analysis would be needed to determine the true impact of alt text on rankings in Google Image Search.
Regardless of its impact on rankings, alt text should still be used for accessibility purposes. It is an important element for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers to understand the content of an image. By providing descriptive alt text, website owners can ensure that their content is accessible to all users.
In conclusion, alt text is an important element of SEO practices and web accessibility. While its role as a ranking factor for Google Image Search is still unclear, a recent study suggests a correlation between alt text and higher rankings. However, further research and analysis are needed to determine the true impact of alt text on rankings in Google Image Search. Regardless of its impact on rankings, alt text should still be used to ensure accessibility for all users.
Original article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/ranking-factors/is-alt-text-a-ranking-factor-for-google-image-search/