79 replies to this topic

[suzstephens]

Can anyone explain the difference in ALT and TITLE image attributes? Is the use of one preferable to the other? Do they both accomplish the same thing? Is ALT deprecated? Should I use both?

Which would be preferable for image "buttons" such as these?:

['search link' graphic] "Search [city name] real estate"
['for buyers' link graphic] "For [city name] real estate buyers"

And for accessibility, which is most important? ALT?

Thanks, Suzanne

[adi_azar]

Hello Suzanne,

I do not think that there is 'preference' on these tags. Search engine spider does NOT see image, he look for ALT tag. Thus, I think ALT is more important.

However, you might consider duplicate ALT tag values inside the title. I do not think that spider will consider that spamdexing.

[Michael Martinez]

The ALT= attribute is intended to serve as a substitute for a graphic, which cannot be rendered by text-only browsers, audio readers used by blind surfers, and search engines. All browsers are also supposed to display the ALT= text if their users disable image rendering.

The TITLE= attribute is not intended for as much general use as the ALT= attribute. Some people feel that at least a couple of the search engines index TITLE= text, but I've never seen any indication that it has much if any impact on rankings.

[qwerty]

The intended purposes of the two attributes are quite different. The alt text is intended to take the place of the image in case the user can't see it [On edit: Michael beat me to it]. That may be because the image failed to load, the user has images turned off, or the user agent is a text-only browser (like a search engine spider).

The title attribute is like a tool tip. It's intended to give the user a little extra information that you, as the creator of the page, didn't choose to put directly on the page. Use it for something like "link opens in new window," "click here for more information about shipping options," etc.

Here's what the W3C says about the two attributes:
alt attribute:

    For user agents that cannot display images, forms, or applets, this attribute specifies alternate text. The language of the alternate text is specified by the lang attribute.

Several non-textual elements (IMG, AREA, APPLET, and INPUT) let authors specify alternate text to serve as content when the element cannot be rendered normally. Specifying alternate text assists users without graphic display terminals, users whose browsers don't support forms, visually impaired users, those who use speech synthesizers, those who have configured their graphical user agents not to display images, etc.

title attribute:

    This attribute offers advisory information about the element for which it is set.

Unlike the TITLE element, which provides information about an entire document and may only appear once, the title attribute may annotate any number of elements. Please consult an element's definition to verify that it supports this attribute.

Values of the title attribute may be rendered by user agents in a variety of ways. For instance, visual browsers frequently display the title as a "tool tip" (a short message that appears when the pointing device pauses over an object). Audio user agents may speak the title information in a similar context. For example, setting the attribute on a link allows user agents (visual and non-visual) to tell users about the nature of the linked resource:

[suzstephens]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I'd been criticized on a real estate forum for not using title tags (which, of course, I do use very carefully). I finally figured out the guy was talking about title attributes, which I'm not in the habit of using, though I do use ALT attributes. So before responding to him, I wanted to make sure that -- unlike my critic -- I know exactly what I'm talking about -

[Jill]

Haven't checked in ages, but last time I did, the engines didn't index info in the Title attribute.

[suzstephens]

Thanks Jill!
Suzanne

[strat73]

Actually, the title tag 'may' be useful to your visitors (which I believe is the intention), regardless of how the SEs see it.

I might also point out that M$Internet Explorer seems to interpret the alt tag badly......

[chrishirst]

No It's title ATTRIBUTE and alt ATTRIBUTE

the title tag is <title>Page Title</title> and is NOT what the discussion is about.

[Leann_Pass]

No It's title ATTRIBUTE and alt ATTRIBUTE

the title tag is <title>Page Title</title> and is NOT what the discussion is about.

Chris, do you need a beer? or maybe a beer attribute? or a beer tag?

HEHEHEHEHE - you crack me up with this!

We all know it is an ALT ATTRIBUTE (not an alt tag) but you know full well that tons of people are going to call the Alt Attribute an ALT TAG no matter what- and ehh, so what? - we know what they mean right?

Whewwww, too funny the things that can get under people's skin =)

Leann (no harm meant - you just crack me up!)

[torka]

It might seem as though it's not such a big deal on the surface. Since there's no such thing as an alt tag, the possibility for confusion on that one is relatively low...

But Chris is right, by allowing alt attributes to be referred to as alt tags, we also open up the potential for the title attribute to be called a title tag. That's a particularly likely situation since the alt attribute and the title attribute often come up in discussion at the same time.

Unlike the nonexistent alt tag, there is such a thing as a title tag, though -- and confusing an unimportant-for-SEO title attribute with the very important title tag is a significant error indeed. It has already caused confusion in more than one thread here (and I would assume on other SEO related fora as well).

So, I have to say I'm with Chris on this one.

--Torka

[qwerty]

Great minds...

[Leann_Pass]

But Chris is right, by allowing alt attributes to be referred to as alt tags, we also open up the potential for the title attribute to be called a title tag. That's a particularly likely situation since the alt attribute and the title attribute often come up in discussion at the same time.

Surely true - However, I think I have seen Chris's "alt attribute, not alt tag" posts at least 50 times (and often at odd times) and it simply amuses me - forgive me on this Labor Day for just finding this plain funny =)

No harm intended at all - in fact I DO AGREE but ya know it's sort of a mute point for most. Anyway, I always enjoy the chuckle!

[maleman]

<img src="leann" alt="cracked up">

[Leann_Pass]

Hey Maleman, Cool alt tag - hahahahaha Just kidding!!

I meant alt attribute - of course

How fun!