Does alt tag optimization benefit search rankings (not image search) at all?

[RosemaryB]

The benefits of alt tag optimization for traditional SEO has always been a "yo yo" subject for me.  Way back in the day (2004 to 2007) I believed there was some benefit to alt tag SEO.  However as time went on I saw evidence that the major search engines were no longer considering alt tag SEO as a ranking signal.

However I later had the pleasure to work on a joint project with a high end SEO firm in 2011/2012.  My colleagues fully believed that alt tag optimization was still a very important strategy for traditional SEO at that time.

Is there any evidence available that alt tags still help with traditional SEO nowadays?  I'm fully aware of the benefits of optimized alt tags and image search.  However could optimized alt tags be one of those ranking factors that Google removed due to abuse and later quietly resurrected?

[RyanPurkey]

Alt tagging is good for the visually impaired, so it's partly a best practice for that reason. I'd treat readability issues the same: avoid keyword stuffing, make the alt tag something informational. If it brings about some SEO benefit because of that, great. Two birds.

[Travis_Bailey]

As Ryan touched on, it's always been a usability/accessibility concern. Since sites can get a little boost from other UI/UX concerns, it would stand to reason that alt text is still something to consider. As far as I know, it's never been the holy grail - but a nod to usability and/or accessibility can't hurt.

Alt text should be somewhat terse, though descriptive of the content. Otherwise, how can one justify the bandwidth alone?

[TommyTan]

Hi Rosemary,

As Ryan and Travis already mentioned, Alt Text is definitely treated as UI/UX optimization.  However, to my knowledge, i wasn't aware that Google removed Alt Text as a ranking factor.  Although it maybe not be on the top of the list of ranking factors, but it is definitely something that provides Google knowledge on what your page and/or image is about.  I'm currently working with an agency and alt text is one of items that were suggested to optimize so I would suggest to continue optimizing the alt text.

Hope this helps.