Optimizing images following SEO rules improves the positioning of a website in search results, including the Google image search section.
If you want to attract qualified traffic and increase the conversion rate, you need to have an effective SEO strategy for images, and we at Qreativa can help you with this.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at the best practices to follow!
Fundamentals of SEO for images in Google search
Google image search uses sophisticated algorithms to examine, interpret, and index images present on the web, with a process that works like this:
- Scanning and indexing: Google uses crawlers to identify images on websites. These are then indexed based on various factors, such as surrounding text, ALT tags, image file names, and other on-page signals.
- Content recognition: thanks to the advancement of AI and machine learning, Google can now understand the content of images, classifying them based on relevance to users’ search queries.
- Personalized results: Google tries to provide results that are as relevant and personalized as possible, based on the user’s search behavior and other factors.
Why images are so important for website SEO optimization
Images play a significant role in a site’s SEO strategy for various reasons:
- They make the content more engaging and understandable and help users quickly grasp the site’s message. A good user experience is a key factor that Google considers in ranking sites in search results.
- Interesting images can reduce the bounce rate and increase the time users spend on the site, signaling to Google that the site is of quality and deserves a good ranking.
- Careful image optimization increases the chances of appearing in high positions in Google image search, attracting additional traffic to the site.
- Images that support and enrich textual content make the site more authoritative and relevant for certain search queries, helping to improve overall ranking.
How to optimize images for the web: ultimate guide
In 2024 SEO, optimizing images for the web remains a fundamental aspect. It influences both page loading speed and overall user experience.
Keep reading and discover the steps you need to follow to optimize images for the web.
1. Choose the right format
- JPEG: ideal for photographic images or those with color gradations, as it offers a good balance between quality and file size.
- PNG: preferred for images with transparency or graphics with sharp edges. PNG files tend to be larger than JPEGs.
- WebP: more recent format that provides superior compression for both lossy and lossless images, also supporting transparency. It’s a highly recommended format for improving loading performance.
2. Optimize and compress images
- Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality. Tools like TinyPNG are very effective.
- Use lazy loading techniques to load images only when they appear in the user’s viewport, thus optimizing initial page loading times.
3. Name files and structure folders
- Use descriptive and relevant file names and include keywords relevant to the image context.
- Structure folders logically to help organize images efficiently, making them more easily indexable by search engines.
4. Use the ALT tag
- Fill in the ALT tag for each image with a brief but precise description. The ALT tag helps search engines understand the content of the image and also serves as alternative text in case the image cannot be loaded.
- Include relevant keywords in the ALT tag, but avoid excessive use of keywords (keyword stuffing).
The impact of keywords in image optimization
Selecting the most effective and relevant keywords improves the positioning of your images in search results. This will lead to greater visibility and increase traffic to your site.
Curious to know why? Read below:
- Keywords help search engines understand the content and context of the image, making it more relevant for specific search queries.
- Images optimized with relevant keywords are more likely to appear in search results, increasing the site’s visibility.
- Proper use of keywords can attract visitors more interested in the site’s content, increasing conversion chances.
How to choose keywords for images
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find relevant keywords with high search volume.
- Examine competitors’ images to understand which keywords they are targeting and how you can differentiate yourself.
- Ensure that the chosen keywords are closely related to the image content and the context in which it is published.
Tools and techniques for keyword analysis
- Google Trends to understand the popularity of keywords over time and in specific geographic areas.
- Google Analytics 4 to analyze keywords that drive traffic to your images and pages.
- Specific SEO tools like Moz, Ahrefs, and SEMrush offer advanced features for keyword analysis and image ranking monitoring.
By strategically incorporating relevant keywords into images and surrounding content, you will significantly improve your ranking in Google image search.
This approach not only increases the visibility of your images but also contributes to the overall effectiveness of your SEO strategy.
How to improve visibility with structured data in images
The use of structured data, particularly through Schema.org markup schema, represents a powerful strategy to improve image visibility in search engines.
By providing Google and other search engines with precise contextual information about images, it’s possible to significantly improve their positioning in search results.
The role of structured data in images
- Structured data helps search engines understand the content and context of images, not just through text but also through a well-defined data structure.
- Images annotated with structured data are more likely to appear in prominent positions, such as rich snippets.
- Structured data can provide additional contextual information that is not immediately visible in the image or surrounding text.
How to implement structured data for images
- Visit Schema.org to find the most appropriate markup type for your images. For images, schemas like ImageObject or specific schemas depending on the context, such as Product for product images, are often used.
- Be sure to include properties such as name (the name of the image), caption (image caption), description (description), and url (URL of the image).
- After implementing structured data, use Google’s structured data testing tool to verify that everything has been configured correctly and that Google can read the structured data without problems.
Practical example:
Here’s an example of how you might implement structured data for an image, using the JSON-LD format:
By inserting this snippet into the HTML code of the page where the image is published, you are providing search engines with valuable information that can be used to improve the ranking of your images in search results.
Through the accurate implementation of structured data, your images become not only more visible but also more informative and relevant to users, significantly contributing to the overall performance of your site.
The revolutionary capabilities of visual search engine
Google image search offers many features that allow users to leverage images to obtain information, find products, or simply explore the web in a more visual way.
Here are some of the main actions you can perform with the visual search engine:
- Image search (Reverse Image Search): you can upload a photo, or enter the URL of an image, to find related information or similar images on the internet. This is useful for discovering the origin of an image, finding high-resolution versions, or identifying places, people, objects, or works of art.
- Product identification: if you see a product that interests you, you can use the photo search engine to find where to buy it online, compare prices, or discover similar products.
- Translation of text in images: some photo search engines allow you to translate text detected in images, which is very useful if you encounter signs, menus, or documents in a foreign language.
- Exploration of places: you can use images of places or monuments to obtain historical information, tourist reviews, or directions.
- Recognition of plants and animals: by taking a photo of a plant or an animal, the photo search engine can help you identify the species and provide you with detailed information.
- Monitoring your online image: companies and professionals can use image search to monitor how and where their images are used online. This is very important for better managing digital reputation.
In short, image search makes “interaction with” information and the web more intuitive, quick, and visual, overcoming language barriers and providing immediate access to endless resources.
What is Google Lens and why is it important for SEO
Google Lens is an “advanced visual recognition application developed by Google Images, which uses the smartphone’s camera and” artificial intelligence to identify objects, texts, signs, and images in the real world and provide related information through visual search.
This tool allows users to interact in innovative ways, for example by pointing the camera at a flower to identify its species, at a restaurant to read reviews, or at a product to find places to buy it online.
Importance of Google Lens for SEO
- With Google Lens, visual search becomes more interactive and intuitive. Users can discover related information and content simply by taking a photo. Optimizing images for this technology affects the visibility and traffic to your site.
- Google Lens offers an immediate way for users to interact with brands and products. If an image of your product or content is effectively recognized by Lens, it can translate into greater engagement and direct interactions with your site or app.
- For eCommerce sites, Google Lens is really very useful. Users can use the Lens function to identify products similar to yours and be directed straight to your site for purchase, thus increasing conversion possibilities.
- With the advancement of visual search, not optimizing your images for tools like Google Lens puts you at a disadvantage compared to your competitors.
- Google Lens also uses structured data to understand and catalog images. By correctly implementing structured data, you increase the possibility that your images will be interpreted and displayed through Lens.
In summary, Google Lens is redefining how users interact in real-time with online content through visual search.
For businesses and websites, adapting to this technology and optimizing content means not only improving SEO rankings but also opening up new channels for engagement and conversion.
If you want to make the most of image search potential and optimize photos and videos on your website, contact us and request a free consultation!
