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When it comes to search engine optimization of websites, many people forget about image optimization. It is often believed that working with graphic elements does not bring significant benefits and requires a lot of time from both optimizers and site owners who need to select unique photos. However, this is a misconception, because the traffic received through images in search engines really exists and can be of very high quality. It is especially worth paying attention to users who regularly view the “picture” tabs in search engines.
So is it worth spending time on image optimization? The answer to this question depends on how much your business involves visual content. For example, such areas as “clothing and footwear”, “repair”, “construction”, “furniture” and “interior design” actively use photographs, and the traffic from images in these categories is very significant. If your business involves visual interest, then working with images will be beneficial. The main thing is that the photos are unique, since using the same images will not only not be useful, but can create problems with copyrights.
If you decide to start optimizing images, it is important to understand what search engines require. While there are no strict restrictions, keep in mind that high-quality photos have a better chance of showing up in search results. What is important to consider:
Before uploading an image to the site, make sure that it meets the following criteria: at least 150 pixels wide and weighs no more than 150-200 KB. It is not recommended to use styles to compress images.
Next, rename the image file, adhering to the principles of forming CNC (human-readable URLs). You should use a keyword in the file name. If you leave a title like img000125.jpg, it will appear in the link to the photo, which will not help improve SEO.
After loading the image onto the page, adjust its alignment and text wrapping. In your CMS, it is important to fill out meta tags for each image. Pay special attention to alt tags and headings. The description can also be filled in, but this is optional, since search engines usually take the description from the meta tags of the page.
After saving changes to the site, open the image URL in a browser and check its display. This is necessary to ensure that all edits are displayed correctly. Sometimes the CMS automatically changes the file name, distorts the positioning, or deforms the image to fit standard sizes.
Sometimes it is useful to add a caption to the image, in which you can write a key query. This allows you to add additional keywords to the page. However, you should not abuse this method, as spamming keys can lead to a decrease in the quality of the content.
If users often search for photos, they can use additional filters in search engines. To make your images appear among the filtering results, add the width and height attributes (WIDTH and HEIGHT) to the code.
If you don't have time to optimize your images, placing them under h2 or h3 headings will allow search engines to immediately see your photos and give them additional weight.
Page loading speed is an important SEO factor. Many sites have low Pagespeed scores due to unoptimized images.
By running a scan through Pagespeed Insights, you can see which images are slowing down your site. Depending on the situation, you can optimize images manually, use batch processing software, or install a plugin in the CMS for automatic file processing. It is important to check all images after processing to ensure they are not overly compressed or the file path has been changed, which could result in broken links.
To improve loading speed, you can use thumbnail images to load first, with full-size files loading as needed. At the same time, do not forget to check all layers of the photo for unnecessary information that can increase the file size.
For most websites, standard CMS tools and online image processing services are sufficient. In rare cases, it may be necessary to use specialized software. However, image optimization is an important part of SEO and can really lead to additional traffic. If you do not have the opportunity to take unique photographs, you can always purchase them through photo banks.
If you have any questions about image optimization, you can contact the SEO studio "SEO COMPUTER" on any issue by writing to info@seo.computer.
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