How To Optimize Images For SEO Without Losing Quality

How To Optimize Images For SEO

1. Create/choose unique images

Avoid using generic stock photos, other websites might use them too and it doesn’t benefit trust and professionalism. Instead, create your own images/visuals as an addition to your page. When you create your own images, it helps search engines see your content as unique and valuable.

I recommend Canva as a free tool you can use to create your own visuals and even adjust the images you have.

2. Choose the right image formats

Choosing the right file format keeps images clear without adding unnecessary weight. Here are some best practices:

• Use JPEGs for photos because they balance quality and size well.
• Use PNGs for images needing transparency (logos or icons).
• WebP formats have excellent quality with smaller file sizes, which benefits the page’s loading speed.

3. Optimize image file names

As search engines can’t see an image the way we see it, file names are crucial. They help search engines understand what they’re about. Rename your images to a descriptive title so search engines can understand what it’s about.

Try to use your keyword naturally in the file name, and separate words with hyphens. The use of hyphens improves readability for users and search engines.

4. Use alt text

Alt text or alternative text describes what’s in your images for search engines and visually impaired users. In your alt text, you really have to describe what you see and make it as descriptive as possible. If it sounds natural, include your primary keyword too. Never force your keyword into your alt text, because this can harm your SEO performance.

If you create great alt text, it improves accessibility, user experience, and the chances of your images being discovered in image search results.

5. Resize images

Resizing your images is a must, as oversized images slow down your website, and as a consequence, affect your rankings negatively. Always resize your images to the size you need on your page. This way, your image size will never be too big and carry unnecessary weight.

You can use tools like Canva or TinyPNG to resize your images and keep your website as fast as possible.

6. Compress images

Image compression reduces file size without lowering visible quality. Compression means faster loading times, which improves user satisfaction. Try to compress images as much as possible, but not so much that the image becomes blurry or low-quality.

You have plenty of free compression tools available. My favorite is TinyPNG.

7. Make images mobile-friendly

Most people browse on their phones, so ensure your images look great on mobile screens. Use responsive design techniques. That way, the images adjust to different screen sizes.

Make sure you test how your images look on phone sizes. Change or adjust if necessary!

8. Optimize image title

Image titles appear when users hover over an image and provide extra context about it. Write a short and clear title with your primary keyword included, if you can add it naturally. As always, if your keyword doesn’t fit naturally, you should not include it.

9. Implement lazy loading

Lazy loading means your website loads images only when the visitor scrolls to the part of the website where the images are visible. Implementing lazy loading speeds up the initial page load, resulting in a faster loading website.

Most site builders or plugins offer a lazy load option. Using it helps balance image-heavy pages with light performance. This is useful for portfolio pages or product galleries.

10. Add image structured data

Structured data helps search engines understand your page’s context better. Implementing this for images helps them understand your images better. You can use schema markup to tell Google details like image type, caption, or caption.

Adding this data can make your images eligible for visual search features or rich results.

11. Use image sitemaps

An image sitemap shows search engines on which pages your images reside and what they contain. If you have already created a sitemap, you can add image entries or use an SEO plugin like Rank Math that includes them automatically.

This helps search engines index your images more effectively, increasing the chances they appear in image searches.