Image SEO is often overlooked because text seems to be the most important thing. But images affect website speed, usability and how Google understands the context of the page.
If the photo is called IMG_4829.jpg, it does not say anything to the person or to the search. If the file is too large, the site will load more slowly. If the alt text is empty, another opportunity to explain the meaning of the image is lost. Small things, but they add up.
The file name must be clear
Image optimization starts even before the file is uploaded. The file should be clear, not too heavy and related to the topic of the page. It is better to use a clear name like svetaines-strukturos-planas.png rather than a random set of numbers.
This doesn't mean stuffing keywords. The title should simply describe the image. Naturally, briefly, without exaggeration.
Website speed also depends on the size of images. When a page loads slowly, one of the most common reasons is that the photos are too large, especially on a phone. Mobile speed is important for both the user and SEO.
Alt text is not a place for a keyword list
Alt text should explain what is seen in the image. An image description helps with accessibility while also providing context for search engines. Bad alt text would be one word for SEO. A clear sentence about the image that is on the page would be better.
SEO optimization works better when all the elements on the page talk about the same topic. Search optimization is not just about text, so the title and description of the image should also be considered. If the article is about the structure of the site, the image description should also be about the structure, not something random.
What to check before uploading images
- is the file name clear and short
- is the picture too big?
- does the alt text naturally explain the image
- does the image actually help the text and not just take up space
If you want a broader SEO picture, this topic should be combined with an article about website visibility online. Pictures are only one part, but a good part.
What size should the image be?
A common mistake is to upload photos directly from your phone or camera. They can be several megabytes in size, although they appear in a small block on the page. In this case, the visitor downloads more data than necessary, and the site loads more slowly.
In practice, it pays to have a simple rule. If an image is used inside an article, there is often no need for a giant format. If it's the main hero image, it can be bigger, but still optimized. Not only the dimensions are important, but also the weight of the file. Sometimes a 1800px wide image, well compressed, will perform much better than a smaller but poorly exported file.
- do not upload original photos of several megabytes without optimization
- for the main images, keep the quality, but reduce the file weight
- for article illustrations, use only the size that is realistically needed
- name the file according to the subject of the video, not a random number
What good alt text looks like
Alt text should be simple. If the image shows a restaurant menu design layout, write that. You do not need to place five keywords in a row. A good description helps someone who cannot see the image and also gives search engines clearer context.
A bad example would be "SEO, images, optimisation, website". That text does not explain anything. A better option would be "restaurant menu design layout on a dark table". If the article is about website structure, the alt text can describe the layout or page plan. What matters is that it describes the image, not just the desire to appear in search.
- write what is seen in the picture
- avoid keyword lists
- don't leave alt text blank for important images
- decorative images need no pretentious description
If you’d like to explore the topic of SEO further, it’s worth reading SEO basics for a website: where to start. This topic naturally complements How can I increase my website’s visibility online?.
If you have a lot of old, heavy, or obscurely named images on your site, please get in touch. It is possible to preview images and organize it so that pages load faster and are clearer for search.