4 replies to this topic

[Robmuller]

Hi

I run a global directory for business travelers. The directory offers information about restaurants. From my homepage I link to the relevant city pages. At the moment I link to these city pages by only showing the city name (e.g. Barcelona) at the homepage with a link to the relevant city page. An example of the code I am using: <a href="http://www.mydomain....a/default.aspx" title="Barcelona restaurants">Barcelona (41)</a>.

My question: as you can see, I use a title tag (title="Barcelona restaurants") to inform SE where the link is about. I'm wondering from a SEO perspective if it will add value to really show the exact search phrase on the homepage (e.g. Barcelona restaurants in stead of just the word Barcelona). In that case the link will look like this: <a href="http://www.mydomain....a/default.aspx" title="Barcelona restaurants">Barcelona restaurants (41)</a>

Another argument to do this, is that the word 'restaurant' represents about 10% of the text on the homepage. From previous posts I understand that about 15% is more of less the ideal percentage for important keywords.

Edited by Robmuller, 23 December 2007 - 03:33 AM.

[Jill]

My question: as you can see, I use a title tag (title="Barcelona restaurants") to inform SE where the link is about.

Actually, it's not telling the search engines anything as they ignore the title attribute in links.

Using "Barcelona Restaurants" as the actual anchor text of the link would definitely be more useful to your users (and the search engines), than simply Barcelona.

Another argument to do this, is that the word 'restaurant' represents about 10% of the text on the homepage. From previous posts I understand that about 15% is more of less the ideal percentage for important keywords.

I'm sure you didn't hear those numbers here. There is no specific ideal percentage of keywords you should use on your page. You should use however many you need to get your point across to your readers.

[Robmuller]

Hi Jill

Thank you for your reply. I cannot thank you enough for all the things I have leaned from you.

There is one thing in your post that surprises me:

Actually, it's not telling the search engines anything as they ignore the title attribute in links.

Is that also the cases for ALT tags? The reason for asking is that I ask restaurants in my directory to place a link to my website. They receive a piece of HTML where in the alt tag the most relevant keywords are included (e.g. Barcelona restaurant directory). When I Google with the text from the alt tag of the banners Google returns many sites which have placed my banner. From my point of view this proofs that Google actually uses the text in the alt tag.


Thank you for your great help and have a good Christmas.

[Randy]

Is that also the cases for ALT tags?

They're Alt attributes and Title attributes --not tags-- to save Chris' sanity.

The Title attribute and Alt attribute are used for two entirely different things.

The Title attribute is used with text links to provide a tooltip in the users browser when the link is moused over. And as Jill said is ignored by the search engine last time I checked.

The Alt attribute is used with an image. For non-linked images use it to describe the image itself for those visitors who may be sight-impaired. For linked images use the Alt attribute to give a short description of the page the link is pointing to, again for users who have issues with their site.

The text used in the Alt attribute for linked images does indeed count with the search engines. Exactly as it should.

[Robmuller]

Hi Randy and Jill

Thank you for your replies. It really clarifies the changes I have to make.

Best wishes

Rob