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Image optimization: get more visitors by being
listed at the very top of Google's search results
Google Images has indexed billions of images. If your image
can be found for the right keyword, then you will get targeted
visitors to your website.
Why images can help you to get more visitors
Depending on the search query, Google displays several images
above the regular search results. For example, try this search
for German Shepherd Dog:
The images can be found at the top of the search results
and they are linked with web pages. If someone clicks on the
image, the person will be taken to the web page that shows
the image.
How to optimize your images so that they can be found
If you have a website about German Shepherd dogs, then wouldn't
it be great if an image from your website was listed above
the regular results? You'd get many additional website visitors
then.
There are several things that you can do to improve the position
of your images in Google Image Search:
Use a file name that contains the keywords for which you
want to be found. In this example, the file name german-shepherd-dog.jpg
would be a good idea. Separate the words with a hyphen.
Use a descriptive Image Alt attribute text. It usually makes
sense to use the same keywords that have been used for the
file name. In this example, the Image Alt Attribute would
be "German Shepherd Dog":
<img src="german-shepherd-dog.jpg" alt="German
Shepherd Dog">
In the same way, you should use the Image Title attribute:
<img src="german-shepherd-dog.jpg" alt="German
Shepherd Dog" title="German Shepherd Dog">
The textual content on the web page before and after the image
also impacts the position of your image in Google's Image
Search. In this example, the text "German Shepherd Dog"
should appear close to the image.
Bigger images seem to get featured more often on Google's
first result page. The bigger your image, the easier it is
to get at the top of Google's regular result page. Include
the Width and Height attributes in your image tag to show
search engines the size of the image:
<img src="german-shepherd-dog.jpg" alt="German
Shepherd Dog" title="German Shepherd Dog" width="600"
height="400">
Optimize the rest of your web page for the chosen search term.
If the complete web page has been optimized for a keyword
then it is easier to get good listings for images that are
on the page.
Make sure that the image that you optimize for your keyword
also looks attractive. If no-one wants to click on the image
then it won't help your website if the image can be found
on Google's first result page.
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