Alternative to Text on Images

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   eugbugposted 8 months ago

   I disagree with the decision to remove text from images. Editors have also been hiding images with overlaid text. I think that a well crafted image with overlaid text can can stand out from the competition in a collection of images shown as the result of a Google image search. So if we can add text to images, how can they be made different so they stand out?

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   1. 96

      eugbugposted 8 months agoin reply to this

      Edit: "can't" not "can".

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      1. 69

         Miebakagh57posted 8 months agoin reply to this

         This text on image question is now a complex challenge to us writers.                                                 I don't know and it seems as if hubpages is now by-passing Google.

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   2. 88

      bravewarriorposted 8 months agoin reply to this

      Eugene, Google prefers alt text for photos and/or explanatory captions directly below using keywords.
      
      This article explains alt text and why it's important for SEO:
      
      https://www.semrush.com/blog/alt-text/
      
      Frankly, I never did like text overlaid on images. It's distracting and in many cases, unattractive.

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      1. 96

         eugbugposted 8 months agoin reply to this

         It can be attractive if done tastefully. I don't like shouty overlaid text that can make an image look like a meme, unless it's for dramatic effect. I'm thinking more of images that look like book covers.

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         1. 94

            PaulGoodman67posted 8 months agoin reply to this

            I think it's important to note that alt text and text overlayed onto the image are very different things. The title of this thread was unfortunate in that respect, as it encourages confusion.
            
            As with most of the HP changes, it's difficult for us to argue with them in the sense that they have vast amounts of potential data and great scope for experimentation, whereas we have almost none. That's why I tend to go along with them. I feel I have to trust their competence and it either works out or it doesn't.

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            1. 96

               eugbugposted 8 months agoin reply to this

               This was the reason given by Hubpages in their official announcement:
               
               "We are also eliminating the use of text overlay in top images, which will create a more unified look on our home pages. "

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               1. 89

                  lobobrandonposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                  I think it is a bad idea too. What is funny is an editor put an image on one of my hubs who knows when and now I have a message asking me to remove it

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                  1. 94

                     PaulGoodman67posted 8 months agoin reply to this

                     There's been a lot of rollback to earlier ways of doing things in recent times both here and at Medium. It's probably inevitable given the cat-and-mouse games that these sites play but it's still a pain in the ass.
                     
                     I've just spent a week replacing Amazon links with capsules. Meanwhile, forming internal linkage between articles is now being encouraged again after it was dropped years ago in favor of HP-recommended articles lists.
                     
                     Over at Medium, they've brought back articles being rated according to metrics like clapping, which was how it used to be years ago. Read times no longer seem to matter.
                     
                     Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

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                     1. 89

                        lobobrandonposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                        Quite interesting.

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                     2. 95

                        OldRosesposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                        Apparently Medium doesn't like its authors making too much money.  I get regular complaints from my followers that my articles no longer show up in their feeds.  They have to search for them.  Deliberately hiding articles from my followers, people who want to read them, is the end of Medium for me.

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                           PaulGoodman67posted 8 months agoin reply to this

                           Yeah, "improvements" is Medium-speak for cost-cutting.
                           
                           I'm actually doing okay for views but payment rates are way down.
                           
                           To be fair to Coach Tony, I don't think that he has the money to splash around like Ev Williams did before he lost interest and moved on.

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                        2. 94

                           Solarasposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                           How do they expect people to subscribe if they can't find what they want to read?
                           
                           I could never get into Medium, it seemed the only articles they promoted where on how to write for Medium. And the "publisher" thing was too much work for me. Just let me write, upload images, edit, edit edit...

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      2. 69

         Miebakagh57posted 8 months agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the link. It's a study.

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