While optimizing a website, Image SEO Optimization may not seem like a priority, but it's an important component that can determine your Google ranking. Whether you manage a blog, portfolio, or e-commerce website, search engine optimizing your photographs can increase visibility and enhance user experience.  Better engagement and increased organic traffic are possible outcomes of properly executed image SEO. How then do you approach it? Let's look at the top ten image SEO optimization strategies that will make your website stand out in search results. 

Image SEO: What Is It?

Based on our understanding of how search engines crawl, interpret, and rank images, image optimization is a collection of approaches for improving visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). This includes using responsive photos for varying screen widths, applying lazy loading, adding pertinent Alt language for an improved user experience, employing descriptive file names, compressing images to speed up load times, and adopting structured data for images. It helps Google and other search engines to better understand the context of your photos and display them in SERPs for related searches. Well-optimized images are more likely to pop up in search results than non-optimized or poorly optimized ones. 

Why is image SEO significant?

 Image SEO is an important consideration if you don't want to miss out on any opportunities to boost your website's visibility in organic search results. SERPs, image search results, reverse image search results, and so on can all contain optimized images. Because photos are not in the same format as text, they must be optimized differently in order to be indexed by Google and appear in search results. With this background, let's look at each optimization recommendation below. 

1. Select the Best Image Format

The correct picture format is the basis of Image SEO Optimization. The right layout can significantly impact your page's load speed and overall performance. 

• JPEG is ideal for photos and images with a lot of colour. It employs lossy compression, which shrinks file size but may compromise quality.

 

• PNG: Suitable for images requiring transparency or great detail. It uses lossless compression, which means no data is lost, but the file size is typically bigger.

 

• SVG is good for vector graphics, logos, and icons. It adjusts perfectly to any screen size while maintaining quality.

 

• WebP is Google's patent format that supports both lossy and free compression, which leads to smaller file sizes with high quality.

 

2. Create images that are unique and relevant

Avoid using generic stock pictures. Instead, concentrate on producing distinctive photos that bring value to your text. Original photographs are more effective with your audience and search engines. For example, if you are writing a tutorial, incorporate images or custom graphics that are relevant to your topic. Your chances of having your images appear in search results are increased when you take pertinent images that go with your content and show Google that your visuals provide your text context. You may increase the authority of your website by using Canva, for instance, to design unique infographics, charts, and other visual elements. 

3. Create descriptive, keyword-rich file names.

Before uploading an image, rename it to something meaningful with relevant keywords. Google utilizes the file name to determine what the image is about, so make it clear and succinct. For example, if your blog post is about making chocolate chip cookies, do not include an image called "IMG1234.jpg." Instead, use "homemade-chocolate-chip-cookies.jpg." This simple action will help search engines interpret your image and improve your SEO. 

4. Include Alt Text That Retains Context Images

One of the most important components of picture SEO is alt text or alternative text. It gives search engines and visually impaired people's screen readers a written description of your image. Make use of alt text that appropriately describes the image and include your primary keyword. 

5. Reduce File Size Without Losing Clarity

The user experience and search engine rankings will suffer if your website loads much more slowly due to large graphics. Reducing images can decrease their file size without losing quality.  Whenever feasible, try to keep image files under 100KB. One important Google ranking element is website load time, which can be significantly increased by reducing picture sizes. 

6.  Create an image-based sitemap

A file with a list of every image on your website that you want Google to index is called an image sitemap. All of your photographs, including ones that could be hard for conventional crawlers to find, will be found by search engines thanks to this file. Image sitemaps can be automatically generated for you if you use WordPress plugins like Yoast SEO. You can make sure that new images are immediately indexed and show up in search results by routinely upgrading your image sitemap. 

Synthesis of Ideas

 Many of the above-listed factors have an impact on image SEO. It is advised that you start paying attention to image SEO right away if you have been undervaluing it. Even with a healthy amount of traffic already coming to your website, picture SEO can increase its visibility even more.  As one of the expert-driven SEO companies, WLDM India suggests that for improved picture SEO, you should use responsive image scaling, make an image sitemap, select appropriate file names and formats, and provide alt texts to each image.  Get in touch with our professionals to receive the ideal approach right away if you need help with image SEO or the entire SEO plan for your website!