The way your post starts is important, just as the way your post ends.
SEO in a nutshell
Your blog is constantly being visited by search bots (a.k.a. spiders, crawlers, robots). Their job is to read your content and determine what you're writing about. That information is then added to the databases of search engines and pulled up in search results when relevant.
Presumably, the bots read from top to bottom. It's been said (no one knows for sure how it all works) that keywords near the top of the post are weighted more than those that come later. Therefore, ideally, you will have good, relevant keywords at the beginning of your posts.
How to start your posts
Start your posts with a strong first paragraph, or, if you use an image at the top of your posts, know that images are unreadable to the bots. Bots can only read text. For that reason, make sure you are optimizing your images:
- Rename your images before you upload them. Use keywords in your image names. Whatever you do, don't use IMG_0042 or the like.
- Be sure to use the ALT tag, again, with keywords. I typically use an ALT tag that matches the image name. (Update: Per many questions in the comments, the ALT attribute is basically a text description of your image. When you upload in WordPress, you'll see a field called "Alternate Text." Always fill this in. I usually just use the same keyword-rich name I used to title my image in the first place. See the video below for further explanation.)
- Consider using a caption and/or description too.
Further Reading:
- Do You End Your Posts Well?
- What is Search Engine Optimization and Why Does it Matter?
- How to Use Anchor Text to Boost SEO
- Here's a video with Matt Cutts (works at Google) with a bit more description about the ALT tag (it's old, but still gives a good overview):
I had no idea about this. I typically don't re-name my images, but I will start doing that now! Thanks!
I just learned about alt tags with pictures and I need to get busy using those. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you for yet another helpful post. I appreciate your sharing with us what you learn so that we can benefit from it as well! With your wise advice, I've set up two websites (one business, and one more geared to personal lessons I'm learning along the journey), and I am grateful to you for your help!
My question is this: Would it be wise to go back to previous posts and change the photo names or even update the opening sentence of the posts? Is there a time limit on how far back the search bots look? Is there a "website post etiquette" regarding updating previous posts on which someone may have already commented?
what is an ALT tag? Thanks Amy!
JUST trying to learn about this SEO stuff in bites. Wish you could come over for coffee and a consult!
I'm also curious about the ALT tag. Do you know where I can find more info about this?
I too have no idea what ALT tag is, please verify? That's all computer language I don't yet know, lol.
Thanks Amy!
I believe Amy is referring to "Alternate Text" under the "Title" in the "Add Media" box where we upload our images on WordPress.
Oh thank goodness! I am not the only one wondering what and ALT tag is and how to create one.
Yes, the ALT attribute basically gives a text explanation for your image. When you upload your image in WordPress, you'll see a field called "Alternate Text." I typically just insert alt text which is the same as my image name. So, for example, if I'm uploading an image of the Facebook logo, I'll call the image facebook-logo and in the Alternate Text field I'll insert facebook logo. Does that help more?
Yes, Amy, what is an ALT tag? I've also just begun naming my images, but didn't know about the importance of using keywords in the images. WordPress.org asks for title, caption, alternate text and description. Can you explain all four of these and which are the most important to use and how to use them?
Sorry. Guess I'm asking for another more detailed post from you about this!
Thanks!
Amy, you may have a post about this already, but what is the difference in the alt tag and the description? I know what the alt tag does, but where does the description come into play? I have learned to put info in the alt, but am still leaving the description blank.
I've been wondering about this. And here you create a helpful post!!!
Thanks Amy! You are amazing!
Wishing you an extraordinary day!
Oh boy, I do start most of my posts with an image that I've done nothing to help those little bots read. Thanks for the helpful post Amy!
I'm gonna have to second (or third, or fourth) the question of "What's an ALT tag?"
So you're advising that if we use an image at the start of our posts, rename the image to include potential keywords for SEO?
Would this be why some bloggers put a short sentence at the very start of their posts, before their pictures?
Thanks for writing about this! I'm just starting out, and there seems to be so much to consider with SEO. It's a bit overwhelming, but I appreciate how you break it down and make it a little simpler to understand.
I'm curious if the reader ever sees the description or alternate text that you write on a photo, or is this simply for the search bots? Thanks!
While I'm not a professional, I can see the description all the time. Hover your mouse/cursor over the photo and you can see what the author has named it. I saw that accidentally while blogging early on and decided that IMG_0101 looks kinda weird, so I started renaming all my photos. SEO was not in mind though!
Hi Amy, Thanks for the tip on the images. I have been doing that but I have been wondering if it is really necessary. Your post helped me to understand the 'why' and that is very valuable!
Thanks for a very helpful post. I will rename my images as I use them. I usually do start off with an image. But I'm joining the majority of comments here; what is alt tag?
Hi Amy. I have never insert "alternative text" for my uploaded photos. I have about 46 pages of them .. should I go back and rename and add the alternative text on these or just go forward? Also, how many pages of photos uploaded to WP is too many? Thanks!!
I would like to know the answer to this, too.
I don't think I'd do a whole lot of backtracking unless you've got the time, although, you might aim to update just 2 or 3 a day and in no time, they'll all be good to go!
Also, the caption shows up under the picture in your post … is the caption important in SEO?
Thank you so much! I had no idea I should do this. I will start doing it from now on.
arg, now another thing on my list of to-do's; start naming all my images with alt text. lol
Hey, I think Matt showed me something I'm doing wrong with my ALT tags!!!
I've been using my keywords there but I've been separating like this, "Matt-Cutts-seo-image-optimization-alt-tags" instead of "Matt Cutts, SEO image optimization, alt tags"
When I list my keywords for my post I separate with a comma but someone I trust advised me that I needed to use the hyphen in my ALT Tags. But Matt didn't mention it and he wrote just the same as I list them the other way so I'm gonna switch.
Thanks Amy for posting this and waking me up!
Love how this explains the alt text in simple every day terms. Thanks so much!
Thanks to your site I have bee tagging things including photos from day 1. Pays to do some homework here before starting a site. Saves a lot of headache down the road!
Is there a way to add alt tags on your photos when writing a post in Live Writer? I see the options for on the picture tab but it just has "alternate text" whereas WordPress has like 4 different boxes where you can name/describe your photo.
Wow! I just discovered your site today and I can't get ENOUGH and have already changed the images on my most recent post. I can't wait to see the results! Thanks for putting this all together!
Glad you stopped by, Sarah!
Hi Amy,
After reading this, and your post about ending a post, I've made some small but mighty changes in this week's post. I added juicy photo titles and alt text, and a new feature for wrapping things up: http://onceuponathrift.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/with-love-and-glue-sticks-paper-and-paint/
I'd love to hear your or anyone's feedback below! This is all new to me. THANK YOU!
Sarah, onceuponathrift.wordpress.com
This week's new and improved post: http://onceuponathrift.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/with-love-and-glue-sticks-paper-and-paint/
This is so helpful! I had no idea what that alt space was for until now…it just seemed so redundant.
And I plan to start renaming my images with keyword-rich text. Brilliant! Wish I'd known that about six months ago, but it's a learning curve, right?
Thanks again!