Which Has More SEO Value: An Image File Name or ALT Attribute?

Feb 1, 2007 - 4:10 pm 11 by

One of the tactics often employed in Search Engine Optimization is the naming of images to include important keywords as well as the use of a descriptive ALT Attribute, also commonly including the targeted keyword. Although the ALT Attribute also doubles as being something to provide screen readers for the visually impaired a concise description of the image, the changing of the file name would be hard to justify other than for SEO purposes, although some may argue that. Perhaps if a web page has images available to be downloaded, they may be able to increase user experience by clearly labeling the image file.

A recent discussion at Cre8asite Forums asks which has more SEO value: the file name or the ALT attribute. Some great responses follow, and provide some insight as to how to "properly" name files or images, based on the opinions of the posters. However, as usual, Bill Slawski (Bragadocchio) takes it up another level and introduces some higher level thinking on the subject, including some links to valuable tutorials and a cited patent application which supports one of his theories.

However, another poster, "Halfdeck," goes a step further to analyze how certain images appear within Google image results, or as Bill puts it:

You've set out a nice way to explore how words around an image might influence what that image may rank for.

This is one of the best threads I have read in a while, as it pushes for further research on the quantifiable validity of image labeling, and the relationship that is evaluated by search algorithms between images and text around them. Join the discussion and add your thoughts or learn something new at Cre8asite Forums.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Follow

Search Video Recaps

 
Google Core Update Rumbling, Manual Actions FAQs, Core Web Vitals Updates, AI, Bing, Ads & More - YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: March 18, 2024

Mar 18, 2024 - 4:00 pm
Google Updates

Google Urges Patience As The March 2024 Core Update Continues To Rollout

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:51 am
Google

Official: Google Replaces Perspective Filter With Forums Filter

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:41 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Now Offers Additional Review After Appeal Is Denied

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

EU Searchers Complaining About Google Maps Features Changes Related To DMA

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:21 am
Google

Google Showing Fewer Sitelinks Within Search

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Declined Credit Card Notice Won't Affect Quality Score in Google AdWords