The content which includes images becomes more interesting and likable to the user. Image has its own importance in Search Engine Optimization. Just putting in random images in articles is not enough to get a better ranking. There is a need to optimize and use SEO Friendly Images.
SEO-friendly images play an important role in ranking your site. In this blog, I am discussing 8 tips for image optimization. So let’s start:
Image File Size vs SEO Friendly Image
Whatever images you use on your website, you ensure that the image file size is not too heavy. A heavy image means more loading time and it will hamper your page loading speed. It is recommended to use lightweight images.
Let’s understand it with this example:
- Case 1: 1 Blog post of 2000 Words Count, 10 Images – Total file size 5 MB
- Case 2: 1 Blog post of 2000 Words Count, 10 Images – Total file size 900 KB
Which one will load faster? Of course, the second one is because the total image file size is very less than case 1.
You can compress your image with a good image compressing tool or software. But ensure that you do not compromise your image quality.
Because, when you compress your image in software or tools, there may be two scenarios.
First, your image is compressed without compromising image quality or having very little impact. Second, your image is compressed but image quality is highly compromised.
So, whenever, you use any tool or software to compress your images, ensure you are using a good one.
Alternative Text
I can guess that you always put a title to the image which you use on your website. But do you think that only the image title is good enough for SEO friendly image? The answer is no and it is not enough.
You have to take care of one more and highly important factor which is Alternative Text in short Alt Text. Google scans your image Alt text and understands that image is what about.
You should always mention Alt text in all images which you use on your website. It helps to rank your image in search engines also.
High-Quality Image
The use of a high-quality image is highly recommended. Your image should be neat and clean. It should have a clear message from the image that it is about.
If users understand the content behind your image, the chance of click is high. The image you use should be engaging to your users.
Add Keyword
I can guess that you know the importance of keywords in SEO. If you talk about image SEO, the keyword has an important role here also. You should add your target keyword in the image title.
And you should also mention your target keyword in the Alt text also. When you mention a target keyword the chance is to get a better ranking in comparison to not adding a keyword.
But I would recommend that you don’t do keyword stuffing. be natural and put the keyword, where it is required.
Image Name and Caption
For SEO, every small thing matters. Image name and caption are not as important as alternative text attributes but have their own roles. You should not miss mentioning the image name and caption as well.
The image name is not viewable to your user but the caption is. The caption is visible to the user below the image. It is visible to users and may have an impact on them. That’s why you should mention good and relevant captions.
File Format
The image file format has its own roles to make an SEO friendly image. It may impact your image file size, loading speed, and image quality. So, you should never ignore it. You must use the right format for the images on your website.
There are the following standard image file types:
- JPG
- PNG
- GIF
- SVG
You should use the correct file format as per your image and suitability. Or you can use the available next-generation file formats for images, wherever you find suitable.
Unique, Original, and Relevant Image
Using unique, original, and relevant images is recommended from an SEO point of view and a user point of view also. Suppose, a user visited your blog post and finds that you are using the same image which he saw on another website.
What impact will go? There are so many websites from where you can download images to use on your website but what if users face this kind of experience? I don’t think it will place a good impact on the user’s mind.
But if you are using custom, unique, and or original image, it will be new for your users. And you know users like new content. One more thing, the image you use, should be relevant to your topic. Canva is one of the best tools to design an SEO friendly image, infographic, etc.
And all the above is also very important from Google’s point of view also and chances are better to rank.
XML Sitemap
It is recommended to website owners submit a sitemap. It helps Google to crawl your data better. If I talk about SEO friendly images, you should not forget to include images in your sitemap.
It will help Google to understand and crawl your images. It will help you to get a better ranking in Google search results. In simple words, I would say, Image SEO optimization is incomplete without including it in the sitemap.
Conclusion
Image is something, which you can’t ignore. You should always include images in your blog posts. SEO optimization of images helps you to get a better ranking in search engines. And it is better for your users also.
If I brief all the above discussion, it would be like this:
- The image file size should be small.
- Use Correct format
- Mention Alternative Text
- Mention the Image Title and caption
- Add Target keyword
- Use Unique, Original, and Relevant Images
- Use of High-Quality images
- Include in XML Sitemap
Image SEO can boost your ranking if you have done it properly. The image also helps you to drive more traffic to your website.
More Blog Posts:
How to Improve SEO Ranking – 18 Important Tips to Optimize
