Story Based Question
You’ve just launched a fashion e-commerce site that sells vintage sunglasses. Your product images are high-quality, but you’re not seeing much organic traffic from search engines. You’ve heard that keywords in alt text can boost your image SEO, but you’re not sure how to do it effectively. You want to make sure you’re using keywords the right way without overstuffing or making the alt text sound unnatural. How do you use keywords in alt text effectively to improve your image SEO and drive more traffic?
Exact Answer
To use keywords in alt text effectively, be descriptive, include relevant keywords naturally, avoid keyword stuffing, and ensure the alt text accurately reflects the image. Focus on user intent and context to make the alt text both search engine-friendly and accessible.
Explanation
Using keywords in alt text is an essential strategy for image optimization. However, it’s important to do it in a way that feels natural, helpful, and relevant to both search engines and users. Here’s how to use keywords effectively in your alt text:
- Be Descriptive and Specific
Alt text should accurately describe what the image is showing. Don’t just add random keywords for the sake of SEO. Instead, focus on what makes the image unique or important to the user. For example, instead of just writing “vintage sunglasses”, describe the specific details, like “round vintage sunglasses with tortoiseshell frames”. This not only helps with SEO but provides clear context to users and search engines alike. - Use Relevant Keywords
When adding keywords to alt text, focus on terms that users would actually search for when looking for your product. If your product is vintage sunglasses, you might include terms like “round sunglasses,” “retro sunglasses,” or “sunglasses for women”. Make sure the keywords are related to the product and the user’s intent, rather than simply adding every variation of a word. - Avoid Keyword Stuffing
While using keywords is important, don’t go overboard. Keyword stuffing is when you add too many keywords or unnatural phrases just to rank better. This can hurt both your user experience and SEO. For example, writing “round-vintage-sunglasses-round-sunglasses-for-men-tortoise-shell-sunglasses” is not effective. Instead, use a well-structured sentence like “round vintage sunglasses with tortoiseshell frames for men”. This sounds natural, makes sense to users, and is better for SEO. - Focus on User Intent
Think about what a user might be searching for when they come across your image. If you’re selling sunglasses, users might be searching for terms like “sunglasses for summer” or “best sunglasses for outdoor activities.” Tailor your alt text to fit those queries. For example, “vintage round sunglasses for summer outdoor use” would be a more targeted and user-friendly alt description. - Keep It Concise but Informative
Alt text should be clear and concise, ideally under 125 characters. You don’t need to include every single detail, but you should give enough information to describe the image accurately. It’s not about cramming in every possible keyword but about providing relevant context. - Prioritize the Most Important Features
If you have a lot of details in your image, prioritize the most important ones in your alt text. For instance, if the sunglasses have a unique color or design that sets them apart, make sure to highlight that. Focus on what differentiates the product and what users are likely to care about. A good example is “black aviator sunglasses with polarized lenses” rather than just “sunglasses”.
Example
Let’s say you’re selling vintage sunglasses on your e-commerce website. Here’s how you can use keywords effectively in the alt text:
- Be Descriptive and Specific
Instead of using generic alt text like “sunglasses.jpg”, you describe the product with “round vintage sunglasses with tortoiseshell frames”. This gives both search engines and users a clear idea of what the image shows. - Use Relevant Keywords
Your product is a specific type of vintage sunglasses, so you choose keywords that are relevant to what people might be searching for. A good alt text could be “retro round sunglasses with tortoiseshell frames for women”. By adding “for women,” you’ve made the description even more specific, targeting the right audience. - Avoid Keyword Stuffing
You avoid keyword stuffing by steering clear of unnatural phrases like “round-vintage-sunglasses-for-women-tortoise-shell-sunglasses-for-outdoor-sun-glasses”. Instead, you opt for “retro round sunglasses with tortoiseshell frames for women”—a clean, descriptive, and natural phrase that’s easy for search engines and users to understand. - Focus on User Intent
If your target audience is primarily looking for sunglasses to wear outdoors in the summer, you might use an alt text like “round vintage sunglasses for outdoor summer activities”. This is tailored to the intent of users searching for products for outdoor use. - Concise and Informative
Your alt text stays within the character limit while still providing useful information. For example, “round vintage sunglasses for summer outdoor activities” is clear and concise, helping search engines understand the context without being overly long.
Using keywords effectively in alt text is a powerful SEO tactic for product images. Focus on being descriptive, using relevant keywords, and avoiding overuse of keywords (keyword stuffing). Alt text should provide a clear, accurate description that both users and search engines can understand. With well-optimized alt text, you can increase visibility in image search, improve accessibility, and enhance the user experience on your e-commerce website.