How to SEO your Images Before Adding to your Website

How to SEO your Images before adding to your Website 

 Renaming your images with SEO-friendly filenames can improve your website’s visibility in search engines and enhances user experience. Here are five tips to effectively rename your images for SEO: 

1. Use Descriptive Keywords 

Be specific and choose keywords that accurately describe the content of the image.   

Think about what someone might type into a search engine to find an image like yours. 

For example, if the image is related to personal branding photography, a filename like ‘personal-branding-shoot.jpg’, or ‘professional-headshot.jpg’ is more descriptive and SEO-friendly than a generic filename like ‘IMG123.jpg’  

2. Keep it Short and Clear 

Aim for concise filenames that convey the essence of the image without being too long. Short filenames are easier to read, remember, and are less likely to get truncated in search results. Use hyphens (-) to separate words, as search engines recognize them as space indicators. For instance, “happy-family-picnic.jpg” is more effective than “image-of-a-happy-family-enjoying-picnic-in-the-park.jpg.” 
 

3. Include Alt Text Keywords 

Alt text, short for alternative text, is like a description or a caption for images on a website.  It’s a bit like providing a voiceover for a picture, allowing people who can’t see the image (such as those using screen readers) to understand what’s in the picture. 

It’s a simple yet powerful tool that not only makes your website more accessible to a broader audience but also plays a vital role in how search engines interpret and rank your content. So, when you’re adding images to your website, think of alt text as your way of making those images speak to everyone, including search engines. 

How Alt Text Benefits your Online Visibility: 

• Accessibility for All 

 Imagine you’re telling a friend about a funny meme you saw.  Alt text is your way of describing that meme to a friend who can’t see it.  This not only helps visually impaired users understand your content, but also makes your website more inclusive. 

• Boosts SEO 

Search engines like Google, can’t ‘see’ images the way humans do.  Alt text acts as a translator for search engines, telling them what the image is about. 

When you use relevant and descriptive keywords in your alt text, it helps search engines understand your content better, potentially leading to higher rankings in search results. 

• Improved User Experience 

Have you ever visited a website where images didn’t load, and you were left wondering what was supposed to be there?  Alt text comes to the rescue here and ensures that even if the images don’t load, users still get a clear idea of what those images were meant to convey. 

• Keyword Relevance 

Including keywords related to your content in alt text reinforces the connection between your images and the overall theme of your website.  This can contribute to a more coherent and relevant online presence. 

How to Write Alt Text 

• Be Descriptive: Describe the content of the image accurately and concisely. 

• Use Keywords Naturally: Include relevant keywords but avoid stuffing.  Make it sound as natural as possible. 

• Keep it Brief: Aim for a short and informative description, usually under 125 characters. 

For example, if you have an image of a person during a personal branding photoshoot, you might name the image file as: “personal-branding-photoshoot-professional-headshot.jpg” and use alt text like: “Professional headshot taken during a personal branding photoshoot.” 

By following these tips, you can optimize your image filenames for SEO, making it easier for search engines to understand your content and improving the likelihood of your images being discovered by users searching for related topics. 

4. Avoid Special Characters and Spaces 

Stick to alphanumeric characters and hyphens in your filenames. Avoid using spaces or special characters like underscores (_) as they can lead to URL encoding issues. A clean and straightforward filename like “product-launch.jpg” is preferable over “product launch@event.jpg.”. 

5. Be Consistent Across your Website 

Maintain consistency in your naming conventions across your website. This helps search engines understand the thematic relevance of your images. If you’re showcasing a series of images related to your brand, ensure that the filenames follow a consistent pattern, making it easier for search engines to connect the dots. 

By incorporating these tips into your image naming strategy, you not only enhance the discoverability of your images in search results but also contribute to a positive user experience. Remember, the goal is to make your filenames both descriptive and easily understandable, helping search engines and users alike interpret your content accurately.