How do I write good alt text for SEO?

Good alt text describes the image content concisely (under 125 characters), includes relevant keywords naturally, and provides context for screen readers. For example, instead of 'image1.jpg', use 'red Nike running shoes on white background'. Avoid keyword stuffing and don't start with 'image of' or 'picture of'.

Does image file name affect SEO?

Yes. Google uses file names to understand image content. Use descriptive, keyword-rich file names with hyphens separating words. For example, 'blue-ceramic-coffee-mug.jpg' is much better than 'IMG_20260210_143052.jpg'. This helps with both web search and Google Images rankings.

Should I use WebP images for SEO?

Yes. WebP images are 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPGs with the same visual quality. Smaller images = faster page load = better Core Web Vitals = higher rankings. WebP has 98% browser support as of 2026. Use the element to serve WebP with JPEG fallback for the remaining browsers.

How much should I compress images for the web?

For JPG: 75-85% quality is the sweet spot - unnoticeable quality loss with 60-70% file size reduction. For WebP: 80-85% quality. For PNG: use tools that reduce color palette without visible change. Target under 200 KB per image for most web use cases. Hero images can be up to 500 KB.

Does lazy loading images help SEO?

Yes. Lazy loading defers off-screen images until the user scrolls to them, dramatically improving initial page load time and Largest Contentful Paint (LCP). Google recommends native lazy loading via the loading='lazy' attribute. Don't lazy-load above-the-fold images - those should load eagerly.

Image SEO Guide: Alt Text, File Names, Compression & WebP

Image SEO Workflow

Compress, Convert, and Resize Images for Better Core Web Vitals

Image SEO is mostly about weight, format, and dimensions. Use these tools to compress before upload, convert to WebP for better performance, and resize to the dimensions your templates actually render.

Browse More Guides Compress Images

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Compress Images

Cut file size before uploading to CMS or ecommerce platforms.

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JPG to WebP

Convert to WebP for best-in-class compression ratios.

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Resize Images

Match pixel dimensions to the template's rendered image size.