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How do I set alt tags for avatars?

Started by rightofatilla, March 06, 2013, 02:05:46 PM

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rightofatilla

Quote from: Kindred on March 06, 2013, 04:15:02 PM
which small images?
In many cases, it's actually worse to set the alt tags for small display images that server no purpose other than to make it look pretty. After all, the main ideas for alt tags are 1- to tell search engines that this image is important in some way, hence the tag describing the image and 2- to cover for disabled "viewer" capabilities like for the blind reads, which resolves all images as their alt-text equivalent.   In that case, adding alt tags for all the tiny crap pictures actually makes th epage incredibly over crowded..

How do I tell this to Google and Bing, who say images should have alt tags set?  Or, can you refer me to where Google and Bing say to just not worry about this, or it actually is worse?

Arantor

QuoteI need to set the alt tags for the small images.

What small images?

QuoteBy the way, why are these not set?

For the exact reason I outlined. In the case of all the avatars (both the user's own and the per-post avatars), you're explicitly duplicating content that is nearby in the markup. That's not going to endear you to the search engines or visually impaired users for whom it was originally intended anyway.

Try disabling images in your browser and navigate around. If an icon doesn't have a description, it needs one. If it doesn't (like avatars), you don't gain anything by including it.

QuoteWho makes the decision to not do simple, fundamental stuff like this?

Competent people who understand what this stuff actually means and why it is better adhering to the search engine guidelines than shoving it in blindly.

rightofatilla

Quote from: Arantor on March 06, 2013, 04:18:09 PM
QuoteI need to set the alt tags for the small images.

What small images?

QuoteBy the way, why are these not set?

For the exact reason I outlined. In the case of all the avatars (both the user's own and the per-post avatars), you're explicitly duplicating content that is nearby in the markup. That's not going to endear you to the search engines or visually impaired users for whom it was originally intended anyway.

Try disabling images in your browser and navigate around. If an icon doesn't have a description, it needs one. If it doesn't (like avatars), you don't gain anything by including it.

QuoteWho makes the decision to not do simple, fundamental stuff like this?

Competent people who understand what this stuff actually means and why it is better adhering to the search engine guidelines than shoving it in blindly.

So, when Bing Webmaster Tools, for instance, complains about these not being set, that means it's really OK?

Arantor

Bing Webmaster Tools doesn't check whether it's *relevant* content. It only checks whether there IS content. But no content is better than bad content - and bad content in this case is straight up duplication of other stuff on the page.

rightofatilla

Quote from: Arantor on March 06, 2013, 04:23:01 PM
Bing Webmaster Tools doesn't check whether it's *relevant* content. It only checks whether there IS content. But no content is better than bad content - and bad content in this case is straight up duplication of other stuff on the page.

So, you are certain this doesn't drag us down with Google and Bing?

Kindred

I have a site, with no tweaks done that has a fine gogole rank and is on page 1 of many searches.

(as for Bing, who cares?    LOL, just kidding,     but I hate bing....)
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Украинi

Please do not PM, IM or Email me with support questions.  You will get better and faster responses in the support boards.  Thank you.

"Loki is not evil, although he is certainly not a force for good. Loki is... complicated."

Arantor

I'm absolutely certain this is not a problem you need to worry about.

rightofatilla

Quote from: Kindred on March 06, 2013, 04:28:43 PM
I have a site, with no tweaks done that has a fine gogole rank and is on page 1 of many searches.

(as for Bing, who cares?    LOL, just kidding,     but I hate bing....)

haha, I'm with you, but I gotta keep the other folks happy...

If you guys are sure that Google and Bing are OK with it, then ok.....

Our site is number 1 on many searches as well, and it seems like every time I make a little tweak like this, our traffic increases over the next few months...

rightofatilla

Quote from: Arantor on March 06, 2013, 04:30:48 PM
I'm absolutely certain this is not a problem you need to worry about.

Good enough for me.....

MrPhil

Don't forget that only IE shows the alt= text as a tooltip (if that's what you're looking for). alt= should be information for screen readers and search engines and other non-graphical displays. Don't use it for trivial images like bullets, spacers, and such doodads. Use title= to display a tooltip when you hover over an image (or any other element) (it will override the alt= text on IE).

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