Image filename SEO refers to the practice of optimizing the filenames of images on a website to improve search engine visibility and rankings.
Importance of image filename SEO:
While image filename SEO is not as crucial as other factors like page content and backlinks, it can still contribute to better search engine performance.
Search engines use image filenames as a signal to understand the content and context of the images, which can help them appear in relevant image search results.
How to optimize image filenames:
- Use descriptive names: Choose filenames that accurately describe the content of the image, such as “red-apple.jpg” instead of “image1.jpg”.
- Include keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords into the filename, but avoid keyword stuffing. For example, “new-york-city-skyline.jpg” is better than “city-nyc-manhattan-new-york-city-big-apple-skyscrapers.jpg”.
- Separate words with hyphens: Use hyphens (-) to separate words in the filename, as search engines interpret hyphens as word separators. Avoid using underscores (_) or spaces.
- Keep filenames concise: Limit filenames to a few words, as overly long filenames can appear spammy and may not be fully displayed in search results.
- Use lowercase: Stick to lowercase letters in filenames to maintain consistency and avoid potential issues with case-sensitive servers.
- Avoid generic names: Generic filenames like “image.jpg” or “pic1.png” do not provide any contextual information to search engines and should be avoided.
By following these best practices, you can improve the chances of your images appearing in relevant search results and contribute to the overall SEO of your website.
However, it’s important to remember that image filename SEO should be combined with other image optimization techniques, such as using alt text, compressing images, and choosing the right file format.