How to optimize graphics for search engines?

Did you know that non-optimized graphics are like trying to push an elephant through a revolving door? What if I told you that changing a few simple things can increase your conversions by up to 30%? Here’s a list of the top 10 actions that will make your graphics a powerful SEO tool:

1. Use correct file names: replace the unspoken „IMG_1234.jpg” with the descriptive „red-ford-mustang-2025.jpg” with dashes instead of spaces,
2. Use alt and title attributes: add concise alternative text with keywords (e.g. „dark chocolate with a hint of coffee”),
3. Choose the right image format: JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency, SVG for logos, WebP for better compression,
4. Apply the right graphic size: upload images in the target display size and compress them to under 100KB,
5. Use responsive graphics: use srcset attribute to serve different image sizes depending on the device,
6. Use structured data: add schema markup (ImageObject) to help Google better understand the context of graphics,
7. Correct Core Web Vitals: preload key images, specify width/height dimensions and use lazy loading,
8. Create a sitemap for images: add information about graphics to the XML Sitemap to make it easier for robots to index them,
9. Use original images: replace generic stock photos with unique materials that will make your site stand out,
10. Monitor and optimize images: perform regular image audits and upgrade older graphics to newer formats.

Do you know why major online stores obsessively optimize their images? Research shows that as many as 67% of consumers consider the quality of product images „very important” in making a purchase decision! And what’s more, slow-loading images are one of the main reasons for shopping cart abandonment.E-stores that have implemented the above practices report an average increase in conversions of 15-30%. That’s like increasing your advertising budget by a third for free!Wondering how your competitors appear in Google Graphics results, attracting additional traffic to your site? Or why some pages load instantly, while yours takes „a little eternity”?You’ll find the answer in the article below. Implementing these 10 simple steps could be the piece of the puzzle that takes your site to a new level of visibility and effectiveness. Invest a few minutes in reading and you’ll gain knowledge worth thousands in your marketing budget!

What is Graphics Optimization for SEO?

Graphics Optimization for SEO is a set of steps to adjust images on a website so that they support a site’s SEO, load quickly and are accessible to all users. It’s like tuning a car – not only do we improve the look, but more importantly, we improve performance.

Why is graphic optimization so important for SEO?

Unoptimized graphics are like trying to push an elephant through a revolving door. It takes forever and annoys everyone around you! Studies show that as little as a 100-millisecond delay can increase rejection rates by 7%. Google considers page speed as one of the ranking factors, and well-optimized images increase your chances of appearing in Google Graphics results.

1. Use correct file names

Imagine introducing yourself as „Man Number 1234” instead of your own name. That’s what you do when you leave default names like „IMG_1234.jpg”. Instead:

✅ Use descriptive names containing keywords

• Wrong: „0abkcspodpwfne345.jpg” or „photo_to homepage.jpg”
• Good: „red-ford-mustang-2025.jpg”

✅ Use hyphens as separators instead of spaces or underscores

✅ Avoid Polish characters in file names

✅ Be concise and precise – the name should clearly describe the content of the image

This simple action makes it significantly easier for search engine robots to understand what is in the image.

2. Use alt and title attributes

Alternate text (alt attribute) is like a whispered commentary for the blind and search engine robots. It should:

✅ Detailedly describe the content of the image

✅ Contain natural keywords

✅ Be short (less than 125 characters)

Example:

• Weak alt: „chocolate”
• Good alt: „dark chocolate with a hint of coffee in an elegant black frame”

The title attribute, on the other hand, is a hint that appears when you hover your cursor over the image – a great place to include additional key phrases related to the topic of the page.

3. Choose the right photo format

Choosing the appropriate photo format is like choosing the right mode of transportation – it all depends on your destination:

✅ JPEG: Best for photography and illustrations with multiple colors. Versatile as a sedan – practical for most situations.

✅ PNG: Ideal for graphics requiring transparency. Takes up more space, but offers better quality in certain situations.

✅ SVG: Great for logos and icons because it scales without losing quality. It’s like a modern electric car – efficient and future-proof.

✅ WebP: A format created by Google that combines the advantages of JPG and PNG. It offers high quality with a smaller file size.

✅ AVIF: The newest of the formats, offering great compression and quality, although browser support is still growing.

4. Use the right size graphics without losing quality

Sending images at their original size is like sending an elephant through the mail – unnecessarily large, expensive and slow. Instead:

✅ Send images at the size they will be displayed:

• Blog highlight images: about 1200×628 pixels
• E-commerce product images: about 1000×1000 pixels
• Thumbnails: about 150×150 pixels

✅ Compress images without losing quality, using tools such as TinyPNG, ShortPixel or Squoosh. Aim for a file size of less than 100KB for standard images.This is one of the most effective ways to speed up your site and improve user experience.

5. Use responsive graphics

In a world where more than half of web traffic comes from mobile devices, responsive graphics are a necessity, not an option:

✅ Use the srcset attribute so the browser can choose the best image size based on the user’s device:

<img srcset=”small-graphic.jpg 480w, srednia-grafika.jpg 768w, duza-grafika.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 600px) 480px, (max-width: 900px) 768px, 1200px” src=”large-graphic.jpg” alt=”Image description”>

✅ Always specify dimensions width and height in HTML to prevent the layout from shifting during page loading (which improves Core Web Vitals)

6. Use structured data for images

Schema markup is like an additional language you can use to „whisper” more detailed information about your images to search engines:

✅ Implement an ImageObject schema for important images:

{ „@context”: „https://schema.org”, „@type”: „ImageObject”, „contentUrl”: „https://example.com/zoptymalizowany-obraz.jpg”, „name”: „Optimized Product Image”, „description”: „High quality product image optimized for search engines.” }

✅ Bind images to relevant elements of the page using Product, Article or Recipe schemes

7. Improve Core Web Vitals with Image Optimization

Core Web Vitals are metrics that Google uses to evaluate the quality of a page. Images have a huge impact on them:

✅ Use preload of critical images to speed up Largest Contentful Paint (LCP):

<link rel=”preload” as=”image” href=”vital-image.jpg”>

✅ Use lazy loading for images below the first screen:

<img src=”image.jpg” loading=”lazy” alt=”Image Description”>

✅ Avoid unpredictable layouts with explicit image dimensions

8. Create a sitemap for images

A sitemap for images is like a GPS for search engine robots – it helps them find and index all your graphics:

✅ Add images to your existing XML sitemap or create a dedicated sitemap just for graphics:

<url> <loc>https://www.yourwebsite.co.uk/product-page/</loc> <image:image> <image:loc>https://www.YourPage.co.uk/images/product1.jpg</image:loc> <image:title>Product name</image:title> <image:caption>Brief product description</image:caption> </image:image> </url>

✅ Submit sitemap in Google Search Console to speed up indexing

9. Use original images

Original images are like fresh ingredients in a restaurant – they always taste better than frozen:

✅ Avoid generic stock photos in favor of original, original content

✅ Create unique infographics and diagrams related to your industry

✅ Show products in different contexts and from different perspectives

Original images increase user engagement, linking potential and set your site apart from the competition.

10. Monitor and optimize images

Optimizing images is not a one-time action, but an ongoing process:

✅ Conduct image audits using tools such as Screaming Frog or Google Search Console

✅ Check Core Web Vitals metrics in Search Console, to detect image issues

✅ Update older images using the latest technologies and formats

✅ Monitor image search trends in your industry

What are the benefits of image optimization?

The benefits of graphics optimization are like the icing on the cake of your SEO strategy:

✅ Higher search engine visibility: well-optimized images can appear in Google Graphics results

✅ Higher user interaction: fast-loading, attractive images encourage users to stay on the site longer

✅ Shorter page load times: a key factor for both SEO and user experience

✅ Higher conversion rates: all these factors combine to lead to more conversions

What impact does graphic optimization have on e-commerce?

In e-commerce stores, graphics optimization is particularly important:

✅ Influence on purchase decisions: according to research, 67% of consumers consider the quality of product images „very important” in making a purchase decision

✅ Reduce cart abandonment rates: Slow-loading product images are one of the leading causes of shopping cart abandonment (especially on mobile devices)

✅ Increase conversions: E-shops that have optimized product graphics report an average increase in conversions of 15-30%

Is it worth investing time in optimizing graphics?

Yes! Graphics optimization is a relatively small investment of time that can bring huge benefits. It’s like washing your car regularly – a small effort that significantly affects first impressions and long-term value.

In search engine marketing, where the battle for user attention is fierce and Google is constantly raising the bar for quality, well-optimized images can be that edge you need. Don’t let them be just pretty add-ons – let them become your allies on the way to the top of the search results!

They’re not just a nice-to-have.