Thank you for checking my article on How To Optimize Images For Better Search Engine Rankings. Are you optimizing your content for search engines? What about your images?
Many new internet marketers forget the importance of optimizing their images for search traffic. You don’t want to make the same mistake!
Google accounts for the majority of the search traffic on the internet. Their image search gets a decent piece of the pie. Sure, it’s nowhere near as much as text content, but I wouldn’t neglect this if I were you.
For example, if I were to search for the 2021 Nissan GT-R, it would show up on the image search listings. If I click on the image, it would redirect me to the article that uploaded the image.
Unlike text content, search engines cannot determine the relevance of an image alone. That’s why it’s important to optimize them for the search engines.
In this short article, I will go over How To Optimize Images For Better Search Engine Rankings.
Ways To Optimize Your Images For Better Search Engine Rankings
#1. Include Alt Tags
Search engines can’t read images, so by adding alt tags, you are describing your image to help search engines better determine its relevance for ranking.
Let’s go back and use the Lamborghini picture as an example. Take a moment and ask yourself what you would write for your alt tag for the Lamborghini picture. (Give yourself 60 seconds).
Okay, assuming that your 60 seconds up. If you were to add an alt tag to the picture of the Lamborghini, it should look something like this: Alt=”red Lamborghini Murcielago SV“
Keep the following in mind:
- Your alt tag should contain relevant keywords, but don’t overdo it.
- Your image should have a proper description. Similar to blog content, you don’t want to stuff keywords in it.
- Your alt tag should be straightforward.
#2. Use Proper File Names
We will use the Lamborghini picture as an example again. When I use Canva to create infographics or other forms of images. I would always change the file name once I have it saved on my computer.
You see, a lot of times when you download an image, the file name is usually generic.
For example, you don’t want an image file named lamborghinimurcielago.jpg when it’s a picture of a Lamborghini.
What you should change the image file name to is redlamborghinimurcielagosv.jpg.
When you’re more descriptive, it’s much easier to rank that image. Whereas, generic names would find it tougher to compete in the rankings.
#3. Use Proper Descriptions
I was neglecting this on my blog and I’ve been testing it out. The results from adding proper descriptions are night and day.
Similar to the alt tag, the description allows you to describe the image but with more words. Which means, you can go into detail when describing the image.
Let’s go back to the Lamborghini pictures. Instead of saying red Lamborghini Murcielago SV. You now describe where it is and other elements of the picture.
If you have a blog post that talks about the picture, you can even include a direct URL in the image itself.
That way, when your readers click on the image, it would direct him or her to the actual blog post that talks about it.
#4. Use Proper Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. Link building is a great way to increase rankings for your content and the same applies to your images. By building rich quality anchor text, your images will rank higher.
#5. Use Geo Locations For Targeting
If you are trying to target audience from specific locations. It is recommended that you add local keywords to your alt tag, file name, and image description.
For example, if the Lamborghini is based in New York City. I would include the words New York City in all the above. This will allow search engines to rank your images based on that location.
#6. Use Rich Snippets
Using rich snippets can increase click-through rate. It provides your readers with more information between the URL and the description. Here’s an example image of a search result with rich snippets:
As you can see, the rating and the vote count stands out and will infinitely increase the click-through rate.
#7. Optimize Image File Size
When it comes to image file size, there are two aspects to it:
- The first one is the dimensions of the image.
- The second one is the amount of storage space the image requires.
Obviously, you want the dimensions to be as big as possible while retaining the lowest possible storage space required. There’s no point in saving storage if people have to squint or use a magnifying glass to see the image.
There are many tools available online for you to achieve the result of having a big image with small storage space.
One that I’ve used in the past is called, “compress image.”— Try out different options and choose one that does all the above PLUS retain the image quality.
#8. Wrapping Around Content
A picture speaks a thousand words. When placing an image on your blog, you should try to include it in your text content.
Try to include images that relate to the content of your blog. If you’re writing about how to make money online. You shouldn’t include an image of how to lose weight.
In Conclusion
If you are using all the above methods to optimize your images, you should see an increase in your search rankings. Would it make or break you? Probably not, but every bit of SEO counts, so why neglect it?
Are you currently implementing all the above for your images? If not, which ones are you missing, and are you planning to implement them?
Do you have other ways to optimize images for better search engine rankings? If you do, my readers and I would really appreciate your input.
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