Image SEO: Best Practices for Ranking in Google Images
Posted inBuy YouTube Views

Image SEO: Best Practices for Ranking in Google Images

May 12, 2025

Image SEO: Best Practices for Ranking in Google Images

You’ve got killer images on your site—so why aren’t they showing up in Google search? You’re not alone. Most businesses and bloggers miss the mark because they don’t optimize their images for search engines.

The truth? Google Images drives 22.6% of all website traffic. If you’re ignoring image SEO, you’re leaving free traffic on the table.

Let’s fix that.

Why Image SEO Matters

Google doesn’t “see” images like we do—it reads file names, alt text, and surrounding content. If you don’t feed it the right clues, your images won’t rank.

Here’s what happens when you nail it:

  • More organic traffic from Google Images.

  • Better user experience (faster load times = happier visitors).

  • Higher chances of ranking in regular Google search too.

Best Practices for Ranking in Google Images

1. Optimize File Names

Don’t upload IMG_98374.jpg. Google needs context.

✅ Do this instead:

  • Use descriptive names like blue-running-shoes.jpg.

  • Separate words with hyphens (not underscores).

2. Write Killer Alt Text

Alt text helps Google understand what’s in the image. It’s also crucial for accessibility.

✅ How to do it right:

  • Be specific: “Woman running in Nike Air Zoom Pegasus on a trail” > “Running shoes”.

  • Keep it under 125 characters.

  • Don’t keyword-stuff—Google hates that.

3. Compress Images for Speed

Slow-loading images kill rankings. Use:

  • TinyPNG (free compression)

  • ShortPixel (bulk optimization)

Aim for under 100KB per image.

4. Use High-Quality (But Not Massive) Images

  • Resolution: 72 DPI is enough for the web.

  • Dimensions: Match display size (e.g., 1200×800 for blog images).

5. Add Structured Data (If Possible)

Schema markup tells Google, “Hey, this is an image worth showing.” Use:

  • ImageObject schema for product images.

  • How-to schema for step-by-step guides.

6. Surround Images with Relevant Text

Google looks at nearby content. If your image is about “best DSLR cameras,” the page should be too.

7. Leverage Image Sitemaps

Submit an image sitemap to Google Search Console. Helps crawlers find your visuals faster.

FAQs on Image SEO

Q: Does image size affect SEO?

A: Yes. Oversized files slow your site, hurting rankings. Compress them.

Q: Should I use JPEG or PNG?

A:

  • JPEG for photos (smaller size).

  • PNG for logos/transparent backgrounds.

Q: Can I rank with stock photos?

A: Yes, but original images perform better. If you use stock photos, rename and add custom alt text.

Where to Promote Your Images for More Traffic

Want extra eyeballs? Share your optimized images on:

  1. Mediageneous.com (Great for social media & YouTube promotion)

  2. Pinterest

  3. Imgur

  4. Flickr

Final Tip: Monitor Performance

Check Google Search Console to see which images drive traffic. Double down on what works.

Bottom line: Image SEO isn’t hard—just consistent. Optimize every image you upload, and watch your traffic grow.

Need help? Start with Mediageneous.com for boosting visibility. Now go rank those images. 🚀