Image SEO: How to Optimize Images for Google Rankings

Images can drive significant traffic through Google Image Search and improve your page rankings. Here's the complete guide to image SEO optimization.

Why Image SEO Matters

Google Image Search drives over 20% of all web searches. Properly optimized images also contribute to your page's overall SEO through faster load times, better user experience, and additional ranking signals.

1. Use Descriptive File Names

Google reads file names to understand image content. Rename files before uploading.

• •Use hyphens to separate words, not underscores
• •Include your target keyword naturally
• •Keep it descriptive but concise (3-5 words)

2. Write Effective Alt Text

Alt text tells Google (and screen readers) what's in your image. It's one of the strongest image SEO signals.

• •Describe the image accurately and specifically
• •Include relevant keywords where natural
• •Keep under 125 characters
• •Don't stuff keywords or start with "Image of..."

3. Choose the Right Format

4. Compress Images Properly

Google uses page speed as a ranking factor. Large images slow down your site and hurt rankings.

• •Target size: Under 200KB for most images, under 100KB for thumbnails
• •Quality setting: 80% compression is visually identical to 100%
• •Resize first: Don't serve 4000px images at 800px display size

5. Implement Lazy Loading

Lazy loading defers offscreen images until users scroll to them, improving initial page load time.

Image SEO Checklist

• ☐Descriptive file names with hyphens
• ☐Accurate, keyword-rich alt text
• ☐WebP format (with JPG fallback)
• ☐Compressed under 200KB
• ☐Properly sized (not oversized)
• ☐Lazy loading enabled
• ☐Included in sitemap