Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a vital component of your company’s digital visibility and success. While aspects such as content, keywords, and backlinks all play a significant role, technical SEO elements such as correct HTML attributes should not be overlooked. The right attributes, like ARIA tags, meta descriptions, and semantic HTML, can enhance accessibility, improve user experience, and help search engines better understand your content.

This article explores how implementing correct attributes within your code can significantly impact SEO rankings, and ensure your website adheres to best practices.

1. The Importance of HTML Attributes in SEO

HTML attributes provide additional information about elements of a webpage, helping search engines and assistive technologies (such as screen readers or speech recognition software) interpret content effectively. Properly implemented attributes can:

  • Improve accessibility for users with disabilities
  • Ensure search engines accurately index and rank content
  • Enhance page usability and structure for a better user experience. 

By optimising these attributes, you create a website that is not only search engine-friendly but also accessible to a wider audience.

Important HTML Tags for SEO
Source: Medium

2. The Role of Semantic HTML in SEO

What is Semantic HTML? 

Semantic HTML refers to the use of HTML elements that carry significance on the page, such as <article>, <header>, <section>, and <footer>.

How Semantic HTML Helps SEO

  • Improved crawling and indexing – search engines prefer structured content, making it easier to index.
  • Better readability – proper HTML tags provide clarity for both users and bots.
  • Enhanced accessibility – screen readers can better interpret the page structure. 

Using correct elements instead of generic <div> and <span> tags ensures search engines understand the relationships between different content sections.

Semantic HTML
Source: Semrush

3. The Power of ARIA Tags

What are ARIA Tags?

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) tags help improve website accessibility by providing additional context for assistive technologies.

How ARIA Benefits SEO

  • Better user experience – improved navigation for visually impaired users reduces bounce rates, a key SEO ranking factor.
  • Stronger engagement – users stay longer on accessible sites, increasing dwell time.
  • Improved search engine understanding – ARIA attributes like aria-label, aria-describedby, and role clarify the significance of content.

Using ARIA tags correctly ensures inclusivity and aligns with Google’s emphasis on accessibility as a ranking signal. 

4. Optimising Meta Tags for Better Rankings 

Essential Meta Tags for SEO 

  • Title Tag (<title>) – defines the page title, crucial for ranking.
  • Meta Description (<meta name=”description”>) – summarises the content to improve click-through rates (CTR).
  • Viewport Meta Tag (<meta name=”viewport”>) – ensures mobile responsiveness, a ranking factor.

Best Practices for Meta Tags

  • Keep title tags under 60 characters.
  • Write compelling meta descriptions (around 155 characters).
  • Include primary keywords naturally.

Well-optimised meta tags enhance search visibility and encourage user engagement.

Best practices for meta tags
Source: Screaming Frog

5. Image Optimisation with ALT Attributes 

Why ALT Attributes Matter 

The alt attribute describes images, making them accessible for screen readers and enabling search engines to index visual content. 

SEO Benefits of ALT Tags 

  • Increased image search rankings – Google indexes images with relevant alt text.
  • Better accessibility – helps visually impaired users understand image context.
  • Enhanced user experience – displays alt text when images fail to load.

Best Practices for ALT Text

  • Be descriptive yet concise.
  • Include relevant keywords naturally.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing.

A well-structured alt attribute improves both user experience and SEO performance.

6. Structured Data and Schema Markup for Enhanced Search Presence 

What is Schema Markup? 

Schema markup is a type of structured data that helps search engines understand content better, enabling rich snippets in search results. 

SEO Advantages of Schema Markup 

  • Increases click-through rates (CTR) – rich snippets attract user attention.
  • Enhances search visibility – enables additional search features like FAQs, reviews, and events.
  • Improves content understanding – helps search engines interpret page intent accurately. 

Key Schema Types for SEO 

Using schema markup provides a competitive edge in search rankings. For example, users are more likely to be drawn to the below snippet over a similar one with just the bare bones.


7. The Impact of Canonical Tags on Duplicate Content Issues 

What is a Canonical Tag?

The <link rel=”canonical”> tag prevents duplicate content issues by specifying the preferred version of a webpage.

SEO Benefits of Canonical Tags

  • Avoids duplicate content penalties.
  • Consolidates link equity to a single URL.
  • Ensures correct indexing of preferred pages.

Implementing canonical tags correctly protects your SEO efforts and ensures search engines prioritise the right URLs. 

8. Enhancing Internal Linking with Anchor Attributes 

Key Anchor Attributes for SEO 

  • rel=”nofollow” – prevents passing link equity to low-value pages.
  • rel=”noopener noreferrer” – improves security for external links.
  • Descriptive anchor text – helps users and search engines understand link context.

SEO Best Practices for Anchor Attributes 

  • Use keyword-rich yet natural anchor text.
  • Link to relevant, authoritative pages.
  • Avoid excessive internal links within content.

Effective internal linking boosts crawlability and strengthens on-site SEO.

Source: Moz

9. The Importance of Open Graph and Twitter Card Tags 

What are Open Graph and Twitter Card Tags? 

These meta tags control how content appears when it’s shared on social media. 

SEO and Engagement Benefits 

  • Enhanced social sharing – creates visually appealing previews.
  • Increased click-through rates – encourages engagement from social platforms.
  • Better branding – maintains content consistency across platforms.

Using Open Graph (og:) and Twitter Card (twitter:) tags ensures your content is well-presented on social media, indirectly benefiting SEO.

10. Mobile SEO: The Role of Responsive Design and Attributes 

Why Mobile SEO Matters 

Google’s mobile-first indexing means that it prioritises the mobile version of a website’s content for ranking and indexing. 

Essential Mobile Attributes for SEO 

  • Viewport meta tag – ensures proper scaling on different devices.
  • Lazy loading (loading=”lazy”) – improves page speed by loading images only when needed.
  • Mobile-friendly navigation – utilises ARIA landmarks and semantic HTML.

A responsive, attribute-optimised website ranks higher in mobile search results. 

Using correct HTML attributes within your code is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of SEO. By implementing semantic HTML, ARIA tags, meta descriptions, structured data, and optimised anchor attributes, you can improve accessibility, user experience, and ultimately your search engine rankings, setting your website up for long-term SEO success. 

A well-structured, technically sound website not only ranks higher but also delivers a seamless experience for all users, reinforcing your brand’s authority and trustworthiness online. 

To find out more about HTML attributes, or for help optimising your site for SEO, contact info@fsedigital.com.