New format
Images for SEO: where to get them, how to prepare and place them
Images help people understand the text, hold attention, and show up in image search. On their own they rarely carry a page into strong rankings: meaning, speed, and correct markup matter more.
Below: where to get visuals, how to compress and name files, what to put in alt and captions, and how to prepare share previews. Alt and title details live in a separate article. Mentions of Facebook and Pinterest are informational.
Where to get images
Best option — your own photos, product screenshots, diagrams, and task-fit infographics. Then the visual matches the offer and doesn’t look like someone else’s office.
AI generation fits abstractions, atmosphere, and covers without readable text on the image. We don’t use stock (Unsplash, Pexels, and peers) for our publications. If a client has a license — check rights and how unique the frame is in the niche.
Animation fits in doses: explain a process, don’t distract from the text.
Preparing the file
Name: topical, not `DSC_1234.jpg`. Reflect the object briefly — `notebook-asus-15.jpg` — not a wall of commercial keywords.
Size to the real container on the site, then compress (ImageOptim, Squoosh, Kraken, and peers). Heavy photos hit Core Web Vitals and bounce.
For mobile — responsive srcset/sizes or correct responsive handling in the CMS. WordPress plugins change; the “different sizes per screen” logic stays.
Placement, alt, and captions
Place the image next to the relevant paragraph — not a pack at the end of the article. A caption under the photo helps people and context.
Alt — briefly about meaning. The img title attribute is almost non-critical for SEO. Don’t duplicate the H1 with keywords in every alt.
Alignment and spacing are part of UX: the image shouldn’t break column readability.
FAQ
Is stock OK?
For materials on our site — no. Clients are better with their own shoots, brand-fit AI, or a verified license. Mass Unsplash and Pexels often look borrowed.
Does a unique image guarantee ranking growth?
No. File uniqueness helps branding and sometimes image search — it is not a ticket to page one for a commercial query.
Which format should I choose?
JPEG or WebP for photos, PNG or SVG for diagrams and transparency. Check weight and quality on a real screen.
Do you need a keyword in the file name?
A short meaningful Latin or translit name — yes. `buy-notebook-moscow-cheap-sale.jpg` is stuffing.
Is alt required?
For meaningful images — yes. Decor — empty alt. Don’t paste a wall of keywords.
How much animation is OK?
Little: one fitting GIF or Lottie beats a cascade that blocks reading and page load.
How is this different from the alt article?
That one covers img attributes. This covers source, weight, responsive delivery, captions, and sharing.
Stock banners slowing the page — and alt stuffed with keywords?
We’ll swap in own/AI visuals, compress for CWV, and set alt, captions, and og:image that match the offer.
Discuss the task
