Images appear in Google image search, enhance regular search results with rich snippets, and affect page speed scores — a direct ranking factor. Optimizing images is one of the highest-impact SEO improvements you can make.
Use descriptive, keyword-rich file names (product-red-shoes.jpg, not IMG_4523.jpg). Write alt text that accurately describes the image content. This helps search engines understand your images and improves accessibility.
Use WebP for the best size-to-quality ratio. Compress images appropriately — photos at 80-85% JPG quality look identical to originals at a fraction of the size. Serve responsive images using srcset for different screen sizes.
Add ImageObject schema markup to help search engines index your images. Include image sitemaps for large galleries. Use Open Graph and Twitter Card meta tags to control how images appear when shared on social media.