Yoast SEO includes an image alt attributes assessment that checks if there are images in your post and whether these images have an alt text with the focus keyphrase2. The plugin analyzes your content and provides feedback using a traffic light system4. Green indicates good optimization; orange suggests areas for improvement4. The tool checks if you’ve used alt tags for your images.
By adding alt text to your images, you provide screen readers and search engine users with a textual description of what’s on that image1. This improves accessibility, and if you include your keywords, your chance of ranking in image search also increases12.If your content has more than four images, you’ll only get a green light if the percentage of images with the keyphrase in the alt text falls within 30 and 70%.
When you use the keyphrase in more than 70% of your images, your bullet will turn orange to prevent you from keyword stuffing1. Yoast SEO helps you remember to add relevant alt text to your images2. The Yoast SEO plugin will then give you feedback and tell you whether your images have alt attributes and if the alt text is relevant to the topic of your page or post
Relevance to Content: The plugin evaluates whether the alt text accurately describes the image and its context within the overall content. This means that the description should provide meaningful information about what is depicted in the image, enhancing both SEO and accessibility
Keyword Usage: Yoast also checks if the focus keyphrase is included in at least one of the image’s alt attributes. This helps improve the chances of ranking for that keyphrase in image searches. However, it advises against keyword stuffing, which can lead to a negative user experience and potential penalties from search engines
Traffic Light System: The analysis uses a traffic light system (green, orange, red) to indicate optimization levels. For instance, if you have more than four images, achieving a green light requires that 30-70% of those images contain the focus keyphrase in their alt text. Exceeding this percentage turns the indicator orange, signaling potential keyword stuffing
eyphrase Check: Yoast SEO checks if at least one image in your content has an alt tag that includes your focus keyphrase.
Accessibility and Ranking: Adding alt text to images provides textual descriptions for screen readers and search engines, improving accessibility and increasing the chance of ranking in image search.
Keyword Stuffing Prevention: Yoast SEO discourages keyword stuffing by providing feedback if the keyphrase is overused. If more than 70% of your images have the keyphrase in their alt text, the plugin will flag it to prevent keyword stuffing.
Contextual Use of Keywords: Google recommends using keywords appropriately and in the context of the page content when writing alt text1.Synonyms: Yoast SEO Premium considers synonyms of your keyphrase when analyzing alt tags.
Product Information: For images of specific products, including the full product name and ID in the alt tag is recommended to improve findability.
Relevance: If a keyphrase is useful for finding something in the image, it should be included in the alt tag
Keyphrase Percentage: If your content has more than four images, you’ll get a green light if the percentage of images with the keyphrase in the alt text is between 30% and 70%1.Keyword Stuffing: If you use the keyphrase in more than 70% of your images, the bullet will turn orange to prevent you from keyword stuffing.
Contextual Use: Use keywords appropriately and in the context of the image. Avoid filling alt attributes with keywords, as it can result in a negative user experience and may cause your site to be seen as spam.
Relevance: If a keyphrase could be useful for finding something that is on the image, include it in the alt tag if you can1. Yoast SEO also assesses if you included your keyword and related phrases in the image alt text2
Product Information: If your image is of a specific product, include both the full product name and the product ID in the alt tag so that it can be more easily found
Keyword Count: Aim for 4 to 5 targeted keywords in your alt tags. This can help improve image ranking in search engines, but it should be done carefully to avoid looking artificial or spammy.
Character Limit: Keep your alt text concise, ideally between 100 to 125 characters. This length is sufficient to provide a meaningful description without overwhelming the reader or screen readers.
Natural Integration: Incorporate keywords organically within the context of the description. Avoid starting with phrases like “Image of” or “Picture of,” as these are unnecessary and can dilute the effectiveness of the alt tag.
Avoid Redundancy and Stuffing: Ensure that your alt tags are descriptive and relevant without repeating keywords excessively. Keyword stuffing can negatively impact SEO and user experience.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively use alt tags to enhance both SEO performance and accessibility for visually impaired users
