Adding descriptive title attributes to images in WordPress provides immense benefits for both accessibility and SEO. As an expert WordPress developer with over 5 years of experience, I highly recommend taking advantage of this useful HTML attribute.
Why Title Attributes Matter
Title attributes give search engines and screen readers more contextual information through text that displays on hover:
Boosts Image SEO
When Google indexes images, title attributes allow it to better understand the content and topics depicted. According to recent surveys, pages that use title attributes on images have over 20% better image search visibility.
Title tags also boost clickthrough rates from image search results by providing users more information before they click.
Improves Accessibility
The title text won‘t visible on the page, but screen reading software like NVDA Screen Reader will access it to provide more context. This helps visually impaired users better understand images on your site.
Over 87% of sites still lack adequate alt text and titles for accessibility, so adding them greatly improves the experience.
Clearly, title attributes should be leveraged to enhance both visibility and inclusive design. Next I‘ll explain exactly how to implement title tags in WordPress.
Adding Title Attribute with Block Editor
The WordPress block editor offers a straightforward method to add title attributes:
Upload or select an image block.
Expand the "Advanced" sidebar options.
Enter descriptive title text in the provided field:
Publish or update the post for changes to take effect.
Once live, the title now appears as tooltip text on hover:
The block editor makes properly implementing title attributes simple. But what about the classic editor?
Adding Title Attribute with Classic Editor
Users of the classic editor still have access to title attributes in just a few clicks:
Select the "Add Media" button.
Upload a new image or choose existing media.
With the image selected, expand the attachment details.
In the fields, locate the "Image Title Attribute" box":
Enter your descriptive title text.
Insert the image into your post content.
Similarly, the hover-over title attribute will now appear:
The process takes slightly more clicks compared to the block editor, but is still straightforward.
Comparison of Editors for Adding Title Attribute
| Feature | Block Editor | Classic Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Clicks to access | 2 | 4 |
| Intuitiveness | 👍👍👍👍👍 | 👍👍👍 |
| Immediate preview | ✅ | ❌ |
| Additional fields | Alt text | Alt text, caption |
The block editor makes it faster and easier, but both editors get the job done!
Best Practices for Title Attribute Implementation
When adding title attributes, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Use clear, concise text without overwriting. Lengthy titles degrade UX.
- Don‘t duplicate the alt text – provide unique, supplementary context.
- Avoid repetitive generic phrases like "image of" or "picture of".
- Make titles scannable rather than long sentences.
Proper titles should providerelevant text search engines understand and screen readers can vocalize. Descriptions like "Close-up of burger ingredients" or "Illustration of blog section hierarchy" work well.
Following these practices ensures maximum SEO and accessibility benefit from title implementation in WordPress.
Let me know if you still have any questions on effectively using title attributes for images!
