Image SEO
The single most important tip for image SEO is to use your own images! Many webmasters source their images from free stock photo sites, manufacturers, online retailers, or the Amazon Associates Program. However, they don’t use their own images or timeless ones, and that’s a serious mistake.
What are personal and timeless images?
Picture: Red Bikini topLet’s just take the picture of the red bikini as an example. It’s pretty basic, but it has two key advantages. First, it’s an original image (a photo works just as well, of course) that stands out from other images and websites, and that only I am allowed to use. This immediately sets you apart from the competition. Second, it’s a timeless image because it doesn’t have to adapt to current fashion trends and thus doesn’t need to change. It’s clearly recognizable as a red bikini top, and it will still be recognizable 10 years from now.
Why are original images so important?
Depending on the topic, up to 10 or 20 percent of visitors to a website come via Google Image Search. It could be significantly more, but it could also be significantly less, simply because it depends on the topic and how people search on Google. Some users go directly to Image Search or switch to it, while others use the standard Google search—it all depends on the topic.
This alone wouldn't be enough reason to use your own timeless image, but in addition to the image's relevance to the topic, its duration also plays a role. If an image remains visible on a website for a long time, there's a good chance it will climb the SERP and rank highly. It just takes time. But if you only have an image online for a short time or season, the image is usually taken down before it even appears in Google Image Search.
Example using a bikini picture
If this site were a bikini shop, this picture would be featured in the “sexy bikinis” category for years to come. Why? Because it serves its purpose and shows exactly what’s for sale: a bikini top.
Be careful with stock photos and product images
Anyone who has ever been involved in a trademark dispute knows the risks associated with free images (payment in exchange for a link and mention), and especially with product images provided by manufacturers for online stores. You buy photos and images, incorporate them into your site, and eventually end up with an image on your website that infringes on copyright or a trademark. Why? Because in some cases, photos are recreated—that is, objects are photographed from a slightly different angle and substituted for the original. The goal is to invalidate the usage license and issue cease-and-desist letters to all users. Such criminal acts occur frequently and are not only difficult to prove under civil law but are typically dismissed by the courts.
Search engine optimization for images is a time-consuming process, which is why the first and most important rule is: use your own images and optimize your website with timeless photos and images.
Image SEO Tipp: Optimize your own and stock images for search engines