Want SEO for your photos?

Here's a tip - Use the tools Active Rain gave you!

PhotoBlogging 101

Get the Most out of Your PhotoBlogging Efforts

AR has given us the ability to use "alt attributes", which allow you to add a description of the photograph, (and will allow a sight impaired person searching the web the ability to know what the photo is of). 

Having a description of the photo allows the search engines to know what it is too, it gives them something to 'latch' onto, so to speak. Search Engines do not 'see' - they will pass right by a photograph without a description embedded.

In AR, the alt attribute is "Image Description" in your insert/edit image box. This description should be as short as possible. (The "Title" line is where you can add more information about your photograph).

Another thing to consider - Use the title of your blog in the description (alt attribute). The search engines are looking for relevance. How does the photo relate to the text in the blog post?

The Title line shows in most browsers as a 'tool tip' - that is, when someone holds their cursor over the photo, they can see in text whatever information you have provided. (Try it on the images above or below).  Use this to add additional, non essential information. It can be longer than your alt description, but there's no need to get carried away either.  Some browsers will only display the first 60 characters of a title with the tool tip.

You can also link your image to a different URL - Your website perhaps? Clicking on the photo will take the viewer there.

Additionally, use the "Tags" line (key words) under the post. Again, make it relevant to your post, and don't 'stuff' it (either the post itself, or the key words). Using the same words over and over in your post in hopes of attracting the search engines is a method many have used, and often still use, in an attempt to manipulate the search engines rankings.  The truth is, the SE's got wise to this practice, (a long time ago), and now penalize sites that do it. Not only that, but it is annoying for your viewers to try to read.

You cannot use these tools for a slideshow or video - So make sure you offer a complete description or story about your show in the post. And if you're posting it to the AR PhotoBloggers Group, we'd love to know what program you used to create your show! We're all about sharing information :)

And lastly, while we have all enjoyed our 'wordless' posts, keep in mind, that photos without relevant text in the body of the blog post will never bring us SEO. If we're posting in that way, we should do so understanding that it will not benefit us with the search engines.