How to Optimize Images for SEO?
Images can make or break a website’s search engine optimization strategy. From optimizing file sizes to using proper alt tags, a great image can boost rankings and improve overall user experience.
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Having SEO-friendly images on your site can help increase conversions and customer retention, but how do you optimize them? Here are 12 tips to help you get started.
Image Size & Compression:
When it comes to SEO, it’s important to reduce your images’ file size as much as possible. This will make your page load faster, and it’s also more likely that your search engines will be able to crawl and index your images.
You can use plugins and scripts to optimize the size of your images. These can be very effective, but it’s still a good idea to check with your web developer to see how the optimization process works for your specific site and browser.
EXIF Data / IPTC Metadata:
If you’re using a professional tool like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop, you can edit and optimize your EXIF data to include relevant information such as keywords, author, and location. Often, Google uses this data to identify a specific image and provide contextual information to users in search results pages.
This may seem like a simple task, but it’s actually one of the most overlooked aspects of image SEO. This is especially true for local businesses, since EXIF data may contain important information that can help you rank well in a specific geographic area.
ALT Text for Images:
A lot of people forget to add ALT text to their images, but it’s a crucial element in ensuring that your site is accessible to everyone. This will ensure that if your image won’t load, it will show up as a text alternative in your page content.
Your ALT text should describe the image (content), but it should also explain why you’re using that particular image on your page. It’s also a great idea to include the SEO key phrase for that image in your ALT text if it makes sense for the context of that specific page.
Adding alt texts to your images is a crucial part of a successful image optimization strategy, as they will help Google understand the content of your pages and determine the semantic meaning of your content. You should make sure to write your ALT text with both content and function in mind, and always use the right keyword density.
Image Titles & Captions:
When it comes to SEO, the name of your image is one of the most important factors to consider. It can help search engines better understand your content, which in turn will boost your page rankings.
It’s best to have a name that matches the image you want to use. Don’t use the same name for every image on your site, though; this can cause problems.
Another way to ensure your images are optimized for SEO is to make them mobile-friendly and responsive. This will allow users to view them on a variety of devices and can increase the number of clicks your images receive.
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