Google On Image Title Attributes For Ranking

Mar 30, 2016 - 7:58 am 31 by

Snowy3 Google 1900px

We know Google uses alternative text, alt tags, in images for helping them understand what is an image is about. Google uses it for ranking images. But does Google also use the title attribute in an image?

Here is a picture of the source code difference:

Title Attributes & Alt text image

John Mueller of Google responded to the question on Twitter implying the title attribute most likely won't do anything for your image rankings. Here is the tweet:

Back in 2008, John Mueller said in regards to the title attribute in images, "feel free to supplement the "alt" attribute with "title" and other attributes if they provide value to your users!" Matt Cutts back in 2008 also mentioned in briefly at the end of one of his old webmaster videos.

In short, it seems title attributes do not play into account with image rankings but that is Google's word. Test it yourself.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

Update: Dawn tested this and guess what, Google does index it, see Google Does Index & Rank Images Title Attribute Tags.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 10, 2025

Jul 10, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google June 2025 Core Update Leading To Some Partial HCU Recoveries

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Search Console Performance Report Average Position Bug?

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Search Ads People Also Consider Carousel Format

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Drops Utility Bill As Evidence For Appeal

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:21 am
Google

Google AI Mode Comes To Circle to Search and Lens

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Yahoo Ad Reps Jumping Ship, Leaving Advertisers With No Alternatives?