How to Add Alt Tags to Links: SEO Best Practices

When integrating links into your website, it's important to ensure your content is both accessible and optimized for search engines. While alt tags are primarily used for images, they can also be employed creatively to enhance the information conveyed by your links. This article will guide you through the process of adding alt tags to links using both manual HTML coding and the LSE publishing framework with FrontPage 2000, ensuring that your website adheres to best SEO practices.

Understanding Your HTML Environment

Before we dive into the specifics of adding alt tags, it’s crucial to understand your current HTML environment. Here are a few common scenarios:

Writing it yourself

Using WordPress themes

Using a CMS (Content Management System)

Using the Title Attribute for Link Enhancement

While alt tags are typically used for images, the title attribute can be used to provide additional information about links. Here's how to add it:

Basic HTML Example

a href"url-here": This is the anchor tag used to create hyperlinks.

title"Additional information about the link": This attribute provides additional information about the link, which can be displayed as a tooltip when the user hovers over the link.

Accessibility Considerations

While the title attribute can offer additional context, it's not a substitute for good link text. Ensure that the link text itself is descriptive enough to convey the purpose of the link. For instance, instead of using generic terms like 'Read more', use something like 'Read More About Global Climate Change'.

Linking Images: A Unique Opportunity

When linking an image, using both alt and title attributes offers the most comprehensive information:

Example with an Image Link

a href"url-here": Specifies the URL the link points to.

img src"image-url-here" alt"Descriptive image text": The img tag is used to insert the image and the alt tag provides a description of the image.

By using the title attribute on the anchor tag, you can provide extra context or a tooltip when the user hovers over the link:

Adding Alt Tags Using the LSE Publishing Framework with FrontPage 2000

For web editors within the LSE publishing framework using FrontPage 2000, you can follow these steps to add alt tags to your links:

Make the word a link in the usual way by using the Create hyperlink button.

Highlight the linked text.

Switch from Normal to HTML mode via the tab at the bottom of the screen.

Find the highlighted text in the code. It will look like this: a href"url-here".

Between a and href, add: title"Name of page that link points to".

To check that this has been done correctly, switch to the Preview tab and hover the mouse over the link. The alt-tag should be visible.

Using Descriptive Link Text for SEO

The text inside the a tag should be descriptive and indicate the purpose or content of the link. This is crucial for both accessibility and SEO. Here are some tips:

Use words that describe the content or functionality of the link.

Avoid using generic terms like 'click here'

Ensure that the link text is meaningful and unique for each link on the page.

By implementing these best practices, you can ensure that your website is not only accessible to all users but also optimized for search engines, leading to better visibility and traffic.

Conclusion

Adding alt tags to links is a simple yet effective way to enhance your website’s SEO and user experience. Whether you're writing HTML from scratch, using a CMS, or working within a specific publishing framework, the key is to use descriptive link text and the title attribute to provide additional context. By following these best practices, you can create a more accessible and SEO-friendly website.