SEO Strategy | Images Optimization and Ranking

Advanced SEO Strategy Series

When judging page structure and layout, there is a subtle, yet strategic way to use images in an SEO-friendly manner (beyond ALT tags) that advances search rank while allowing you to integrate the essential marketing message(s). Confused? Let’s look at an example:

Suppose you operate a marketing site and the desire is to optimize a given page for the term “Saskatchewan SEO Strategy.” Pretend that you also want to include an enticing marketing message such as “Order now and save 20%!”. The tagline mentioned above lacks descriptive text but possesses compelling characteristics. With that being stated, you may want to place the tagline in an image and the key phrase (i.e. Saskatchewan SEO Services) in a header tag. Such places stress on the desired term, yet still provides a marketing opportunity without jeopardizing keyword consistency.

In other terms, images are a great place to insert marketing messages that lack the necessary keywords and phrases. Leveraging this technique will ensure that descriptive text is indexed, while less marketing jargon gets ignored. The combination of keyword-rich content and enticing messaging will satisfy both sides of the strategic equation.

SEO Strategy | Beyond Images SEO

• File Name: Image SEO begins with the right file name. Of course, this is the first position to use that keyword. Without even glancing at the actual image, you want Google to recognize what the image is all about. It’s simple: if your image is a view of Saskatchewan showing Victoria Bridge, the file name shouldn’t be DSC1234.jpg, but victoria-bridge-in-saskatchewan.jpg. The main keyword would be Victoria Bridge, as that is the principal subject of the photo, this is why I added that at the beginning of the file name.
• Image Captions: With over-optimization in mind, I’d suggest you add a caption as well if it would make sense to the visitor if that caption is added. Think about the visitor first, don’t add a caption just for image SEO.
• Alt text and title text: Be sure to add alt texts. Make sure the alt text includes the SEO keyword for that page and relates to / describes the image.