Image searches account for twenty percent of all searches in the United States based on recent data. It is a tenet of SEO practice. To make images more search engine friendly, they add alt, caption, and image title attributes to the images they use on websites and blogs. If you want to appear higher in search engine results pages, you must optimize your images. In addition to boosting SEO, image SEO also improves user experience and page loading speed. Image optimization is critical in today’s SEO environment.
After reading this article, you’ll understand how image optimization can help your website rise to the top of search results.
- Use SEO Friendly Alt Text
- Make sure you’re using the right image format
- Make Use of Unique Images
- Compress images before publishing your articles
- Take the time to give each image a unique name
- Avoid using copyright images in your work
- Use Images That Are Mobile-Friendly
Use SEO Friendly Alt Text
Browsers can fail to recognize and render images correctly on occasion. Alternative text can be useful in this situation as well. An image file’s alt text describes what it contains. In the event that an image fails to load, an image box with an alt tag appears in the top left corner. The importance of alt tags cannot be overstated. On-page strategy can be a part of it.
For best results, make sure to include all of the image’s Meta tags in your post or page. It is possible to improve your website’s search engine rankings with the use of alt tags. In order to maximize the alt tag’s impact, include keywords. According to Google, websites can improve their search engine rankings by linking keywords to images. Alt text can be found in even the cached version of a page’s text. It is good for both search engines and users.
Make sure you’re using the right image format
Choosing the right image file format is critical. Prior to uploading a photo to a blog or website, this should be the first step. The most common file types that we work with are PNG and JPEG. The two of them are similar in that they share certain traits. Images produced by PNG files are higher quality, but they take up more storage space because of their larger file sizes. However, JPEG files, on the other hand, may have a lower quality image, but they are more efficient in storage. Alternatively, you can adjust the quality level to find a balance.
Make Use of Unique Images
The value of images is also enhanced by their uniqueness. Your website cannot simply be crammed full of stock images with the same look and feel. Instead, come up with your own ideas and use them to create images that are unique and stand out from the crowd. Do some research on your industry’s competitors, including their websites and consulting firms. You can get a better idea of what kind of images they use there. It’s best to use the stock images instead of the optimized versions. They don’t have the same impact as high-quality images on a website.
Compress images before publishing your articles
The speed at which a website loads is a significant ranking factor for Google. Next, you’ll want to reduce the size of your image files by compressing them. A whopping 21% of the weight of a web page is made up of images. As a result, images should be compressed before being included in your content. Images can be compressed using a variety of free tools or any WordPress plugin that is compatible.
Reduced file size without sacrificing quality is possible with these plugins. Images are typically compressed on the plugin’s own servers. Therefore, the website’s resources are unaffected by compression. Use PageSpeed Insights to see if the compression worked.
Take the time to give each image a unique name
The importance of using descriptive alt tags, keyword-rich file names, and creative image descriptions cannot be overstated. An image will be considered an orphan if it does not have a name. In order for a search engine to index the image, it must know what the image is about.
Instead of using names like “IMG 56098,” use something more descriptive. Google is unable to distinguish every single thing. Rename your image’s filename to something that accurately describes the image’s function. Your SEO will benefit from this because it helps search engines better understand your brand.
Avoid using copyright images in your work
This is most likely the most important consideration. The originality of a photograph is more important than its size or quality. You should verify that your photos do not violate any copyrights before uploading them. Unauthorized use of a licensed or copyrighted image may result in legal action. If you are accused of violating copyright laws, you may be served with a notice by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Use Images That Are Mobile-Friendly
The user experience and search engine rankings will suffer if images aren’t optimized for mobile devices. Images must be mobile-friendly in order to be properly indexed. Responsive images, or those that resize themselves to fit any device’s screen, are highly recommended. Responsive images have the distinct advantage of resizing themselves based on the size of the device being used to access the website.
When it comes to optimizing images for search engines, the best practices have been rounded up. It can also help your search engine optimization and position.
