Search engine optimized WordPress Image files do not only pursue the goal of the best possible ranking in Google Image Search, but also the increase of the visibility of the created website. But how does the search engine recognize your images as a meaningful part of the content? In this tutorial you will learn how to optimally design formal and content aspects for search engine optimization.
Formal checklist of SEO of WordPress images
First of all, the file name of your image plays an important role. The keyword you have chosen should also appear here, as the Google crawlers will find your image or website via this term. DO NOT name your picture "bild1-150×150px.jpg", but rather in accordance with the picture content, e.g. "herbst 2010- kastanie.jpg".
Use lower case letters, numbers and hyphens, but avoid umlauts as this may irritate the browser search and your images may not be displayed.
In addition to the file name, the file size should also be adjusted, since images in original size slow down the speed of the website and are therefore negative for the user experience. So use an image editing program such as "Paint" and set an optimal aspect ratio of 4:3 in landscape format and an edge length of at least 300 pixels. If you place several images on your website, make sure that the formats are well mixed.
So, let's get to the title of the painting. This serves as the title of the picture and should be formulated as a keyword, e.g. "chestnut". In WordPress this appears not only on the media list in the backend, but also on the so-called attachment pages in the frontend.
Information about the image is provided by the caption that appears as a caption under each image.
Special options: The Alt attribute
With WordPress you can also create an alternative text (alt- attribute), which should provide information about the item on the image and only appears in the source code of the website. The source code also serves as accessibility for people with impaired vision, who can still understand the content of your picture.
However, important details follow only in the description, which should contain information on the following questions: What is in the picture? What is the message of the picture?
In addition, WordPress offers the option to create a subdirectory for images via the plugin "NextGen". Here you should definitely also use the keyword, which increases your chances of appearing faster in the search engine.
Content aspects of SEO for WordPress images
The aim of image integration in WordPress is to provide optimum support for the content of the website. With this thought your target group should be in the first place.
Who do you want to reach through what information? What benefit does the reader get from your website? It is important that your images add value to the reader and enrich the text.
To achieve a memorable effect on your target group, a clearly visible image content which you guarantee through the aspects described above.
To convey a strong emotional message, the message of the picture should be clearly presented. Is motivation conveyed? Is it about the expression of emotions?
Here it is important that your image content is presented as realistically as possible, because only this will have an authentic effect on the reader.
It can also be helpful to be able to compare yourself with the competition by entering your own Keywords in the search engine, and see how others have implemented the idea. Try to fill in the formal aspects with a certain creativity and give your pictures an intrinsic value.
Now nothing should stand in your way of implementing the SEO of WordPress image files!
