2009/10/09

Optimizing images for image search engines

You have already optimized the text code your web pages for search engines for many years to come. But this is not enough. Number of visual information in the network increases with each passing day, and as a consequence, users wants them to find appropriate images and video as easily as they can find articles and other textual material. This means that you need to begin to optimize your images. Want to know how to do it - read on...

There are two ways to optimize images.

The first arose simultaneously with the first images on the Internet and involves technical optimization of display images on the web. Most often this means the maximum reduction in the size of the image file, so that he quickly displayed in the browser via HTTP. This includes cutting images into parts.

Another type, which appeared together with the ability to search only images, optimizing the process of indexing images search engines. Now, in addition to the usual SEO-activities need to monitor what your images are optimized in both ways. In any case, this method does not lose its relevance, given that the new more sophisticated search engines, designed specifically for image search, an excellent example of this. Optimizing images is becoming an increasingly important part of SEO.

It is easy to optimize images for fast viewing on the Internet, and optimization of images under the requirements of SEO will not be a headache. All that is required - is to follow a few simple rules and a little time. In this article we look at each of the properties of images that can be optimized. However, we still will not discuss how to speed up the mapping images. After all, it already should have been done and, in fact, is outside the scope of SEO.

Rule number 1: Use the properties of HTML

If you still do not use the alt attribute to describe the image, then stop and think, and why? Alt, or an alternative text, included in the tag image is always in demand in accordance with the principle of accessibility. Search Engine Optimization often goes hand in hand with these principles, and in 9 out of 10 cases, all that is approved by them and approved by the SEO. Use of alternative text is no exception.

If someone does not know the alt attribute is used to display text that characterizes the picture, if she for some reason does not load. For example, as a result of the reorganization of directories and site structure. Also, alternative text is used if the image does not load, such as in text-only browsers.

The main content of the alt attribute must be a description of the picture, but necessary, if possible, include alt text keywords for which to optimize a page or site. This is a slightly increase the density of keywords on the page. But teaching, if you stuffed the keywords on the site, where the only possible, it can turn against you. Do not use alternative text as a tool, with thinly veiled, spam keywords.

Another attribute that can render us good service, - title, or title. Thanks to him, when you hover the cursor over the picture pops up text. Title and alt attributes are sometimes confused with each other, but, in comparison with alternative text, title text may be used in other elements of the page, not only in images. Here you can also put any one of the keywords, but do not forget that the content of the text still needs to describe precisely the picture.

And another attribute that can be used in order to advance, - attribute longest (tag attribute <img>, used for "long" descriptions of images). He joins a short text alternative with a long description in a separate file. Usually it will be the URL-address of a page containing a detailed description, which also can insert the necessary keywords.

Because these attributes are primarily used in the principle of accessibility of a single interface sites, and thus easier to use the Internet for people with visual impairments and other difficulties, the key word above all must comply with image content. In this case, the requirements of optimization should move to the background, giving way informative. Use these attributes to move, but do not overdo them.

Rule number 2: Use the properties file

You already know how to use attributes for HTML page layout, you can use to search engine optimization, some properties of the image file. On the page with multiple images, each must necessarily be small and optimized for display on the Internet. It is desirable that it led to a further, full-sized image, perhaps even on a separate page. Great images are paying more attention, they were more popular with users looking for a picture.

Link to full-sized image has another advantage: allow you to use the tag links which can also be optimized, giving us yet another opportunity to place keywords. One technique to kill two birds with one stone!

Obviously, one of the properties of the image file, which we can change our view - his name. Some choose to combine the file name and an alternative text. But do not forget that the filename is not used for the implementation of the principle of accessibility, so here too we can and must place the keywords. The file name will appear in the HTML-code page in the SRC attribute tag of the image, thus find themselves visible to the search bots.

Let images meaningful names and avoid names of the form «image1.png» at any cost. Also, instead of spaces in the filename, it is better to use a dash, which search engines have interpreted as a logical punctuation.

The last important attribute of the file, which is worth considering - its extension, which defines the format of the image. For web images are best suited. Jpg, Gif or. Png. It is best to use the appropriate format for each type of the displayed image. Thus, more suitable for photographs jpg, but for logos and line drawings - gif and png.

Rule number 3: Understanding

Avoid placing images using CSS or JavaScript, search engine optimization if you are not empty words. Always insert images, used as the contents of your site, using standard html-tag images. If the image is determined dynamically using CSS or JavaScript, then the "spider", indexes your site, just do not know about the existence of the pictures, it just is not indexed and will be useless for further optimization. This rule does not apply to images that fulfill the function of design, such as a picture header or button navigation menu.

Also it is necessary to make sure that the image is inserted in the corresponding text passage, especially on the page with multiple images. Search robots considering the elements in the vicinity of the picture, so a good description of the block, in addition to the link for full-sized image tag and alt, ensure that search engines will know what constitutes a picture.

Making structures or hierarchy of folders on your site also plays a significant role in the indexing of images. First, make sure that the folders that contain pictures of your site open to search engine bots and spiders. Try not to make the path to the files is very deep. Something like www.mysite.com / images will be much better and more affordable than www.mysite.com/content/images/products/cameras/.

Finally

It goes without saying that the page that are optimized image itself should be optimized, even if it's suddenly not so, it necessarily needs to be done, otherwise all your work on optimizing images sink into oblivion. Most optimization image secondary to the optimize the main content pages, so all their turn.

If your image will rise high in the SERPs due to search among the image files, it will increase traffic to your site is the target audience, so a good position of images in search results is an important indicator. Applying these simple rules, you will save time and effort, and your image will be successful in search engines and your visitors.

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