Images can significantly enhance the visual appeal and user experience of your website. However, they can also impact your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). By optimizing your images, you can improve your website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results.
Here are two key aspects of image optimization for SEO.
File Naming Strategies for Image SEO
The filename of an image can also impact your SEO. Search engines can use filenames to understand the content of an image. Without a descriptive file name, search engines don’t understand how that image contributes to your content. A relevant file name shows search engines that your content is useful to the reader.
How to Name Image Files:
- Use descriptive filenames: Use keywords related to the image content.
- Use hyphens to separate words: Hyphens are easier for search engines to understand than underscores.
- Keep filenames short and concise: Avoid long, complex filenames.
File name Example:
Instead of: “Image12345.jpg”
Use: “wsu-researchers-with-lab-equipment.jpg”
Alt Text Best Practices for Accessibility
Alt text, or alternative text, is a short description of an image that is displayed when the image fails to load. The alt text is provided to people using assistive devices, such as screen readers and refreshable braille displays.
For more information on when and how to use alt text for your images, take a look at this alt decision tree and alt text images tutorial
How to Write Effective Alt Text
- Be descriptive: Clearly describe the image content.
- Use relevant keywords: Incorporate keywords related to the image and your website’s topic.
See Context is Everything for more details on using the surrounding content to determine what to include. - Keep it concise: Aim for concise and informative alt text.
- Avoid keyword stuffing: Don’t overuse keywords.
Alt Text Example:
Instead of: “Image”
Use: “Two researchers examine and adjust lab equipment in a research lab.”
SEO and Accessibility in Digital Content
Properly optimizing images does more than help your search rankings; it makes your content easier for everyone to use. By using clear text to describe visuals, you ensure that visitors using assistive devices can fully understand your content. Learn more about accessibility guidelines for images and about different types of images and accessibility.