Improving image results in search engines is quite challenging because images contain very little information about their content, making it hard for search engines to understand them.
To recognize image content, Google uses various techniques. For instance, they use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to read text within images.
For images without text, Google employs facial recognition technology to determine if the image contains a face or something else.
It's important to note that while these technologies are very helpful, they are also limited in what they can achieve.
This limitation is mainly due to the high costs associated with these technologies, making them impractical for widespread use on the web.
In this article, I will share some tips that will help improve your image results in search engines and make it easier for search engines like Google to understand your images and their content.
1. Use Relevant File Names:
Try to include the keyword in the image file name.
For example, if the image is of Frank Lampard, the file name should be something like frank-lampard.jpg.
2. Use Alt Text:
The alt text (ALT attribute) is very important. Search engines use it to understand the content of your images.
It is the primary way to convey what’s in the image.
3. High-Quality Thumbnails:
Ensure that your images are of high quality when displayed as thumbnails. This helps in better readability.
4. Focus on Surrounding Text:
Pay close attention to the text immediately before and after the image. This text is closely associated with the image by users and search engines alike. Including descriptive captions below the image is also recommended.
5. Use Common File Formats:
Prefer common formats like PNG and JPG. Recently, the WebP format is considered the best. I recommend using Jetpack for WordPress to handle this task.
6. Allow Search Engine Crawlers:
Make sure your site's robots.txt file doesn’t block search engine crawlers from accessing your image files.
7. Simple Design:
Avoid using colors or designs that are hard on the eyes. Keep everything simple.
These very simple tips can make a significant difference, and you will see the results over time. This was a brief article on improving image results in search engines. I hope you found it helpful, and don’t forget to share it to spread the knowledge.
