Ken,

This is a very interesting topic. I wonder if you would provide an example search or two for further study. The reasons I ask are:

1. Is alt txt as the page description an experiment of sorts and therefore potentially short lived?

2. Do we really know what conditions result in using alt txt as the description?

3. By making alt txt reader friendly we are sure to diminish kw density. Is this density a major factor in achieving this particular page's SERP rank to begin with?

Understanding these better would help many of us in deciding which tact to take.

/*tom*/