Images are very important for the look and feel of modern-day content. Text is often hard to read, that’s why we have paragraphs, headings, and dividers. Website visitors have an attention span that can be measured in milliseconds and images are added to the content to illustrate points.
Images can also be a useful tool for the SEO optimization of content.
- Image file size: Large image files can slow down the loading time of your web page, which can negatively impact your SEO. Optimize your images to reduce their file size while maintaining quality. The image above only weighs 133kb making it just the right balance between quality and visual impact.
- Image format: Use the appropriate image format, such as JPEG, PNG, or SVG, based on the type of image and its intended use. The image above uses standard JPEG format, but the differences between JPEG, PNG, and SVG are not that great.
- Image resolution: Use high-quality images that are sharp and clear. Avoid using low-resolution or blurry images, which can negatively impact the user experience and your SEO. This image was optimized with a free tool called Mass Image Compressor to have 80% quality and it still looks great.
- Image alt tags: Alt tags provide a description of the image to search engines and visually impaired users. Use descriptive alt tags that include relevant keywords. The perfect image above has the following alt: alt=”A perfect SEO-friendly image”
- Image filename: Use descriptive filenames for your images that include relevant keywords. For example, instead of using “IMG_new.jpg,” use “10-key-tips-for-SEO-friendly-pages.jpg.”
- Image captions: Image captions provide context for the image and can help search engines understand the content of the page. Use captions that are descriptive and relevant. The captions below the picture formatted in italic text format are easier to read to stand out from the rest of the content.
- Image placement: Place images strategically within your content to enhance the user experience and make it more visually appealing. This can improve engagement metrics, such as time on page and bounce rate, which can positively impact your SEO. This image is placed below two paragraphs and about 40 words.
- Image sitemaps: Create an image sitemap to help search engines discover and index your images. Include important information about each image, such as the image URL, caption, and alt text.
- Image loading speed: Ensure that your images load quickly by using a content delivery network (CDN) or compressing them. Slow-loading images can negatively impact user experience and SEO.
- Image engagement: Encourage users to engage with your images by adding social sharing buttons, image galleries, or other interactive features. This can improve user engagement metrics and positively impact your SEO.