How do I properly optimize images?

Along with other aspects of SEO, it’s important to practice image optimization. However, many may be unfamiliar with the different aspects of images that appear on their webpages that can assist with Google rankings. The best way to make sure that you get the most from your website’s images is to optimize both their titles and alt text.

Optimizing Image Titles

The first element of your website’s photos that you should optimize is the title. Titles should generally include keywords that describe what’s in the photo, in a hyphenated format. Generally, you can exclude contractions and other connecting words that are unnecessary, which can help you keep your image titles short. Google also doesn’t take into account these short words, and only focuses on core keywords. For instance, you may have an image of a tree sitting in the middle of a public park during the day. Your image title would look something like “tree-middle-public-park-day.”

Write Optimized Alt Text

Alt text, or alt tags, are also important to optimize for every image. Like the title, the alt text will describe the content of the photo itself, giving context to Google and other search engines. Alt text for the previously mentioned example would likely appear as something like “tree in the middle of a public park during the day.” This can be more specific than the image title, because alt text should include terms and phrases that people are likely to search.

Combining optimized titles and alt text can ultimately help your images rank higher, while also supplementing high-quality content on the pages in which they appear. Together, optimized images and content can help you rank higher for a wider reach of terms.

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