Optimising images on your website isn’t just about reducing file sizes or choosing beautiful visuals. Tagging images correctly is a powerful way to boost your SEO, improve accessibility, and help your site perform better in search engines.
What Does Image Tagging Mean?
Image tagging refers to adding descriptive attributes to your images, including:
– Alt Text (Alternative Text)
Describes the content of the image for screen readers and helps search engines understand what the image is about
– Image File Name
A descriptive, keyword-friendly file name instead of generic names like “IMG_1234.jpg”
– Title Text
An optional tag that can provide additional context when someone hovers over the image
– Captions
Short bits of text that appear under the image (if used), helpful for context, these often appear in image galleries
Why Is Image Tagging Important for SEO?
– Improved Search Visibility
Well-tagged images can appear in image search results, driving more traffic to your site
– Better Accessibility
Screen readers use alt text to describe images to visually impaired users, making your site more inclusive
– Enhanced Keyword Relevance
Including relevant keywords in your alt tags and filenames supports overall page SEO
– Faster Page Loading
While not a tag, optimising image file sizes also plays a big role in SEO performance
Quick Tips
– Keep alt text concise but descriptive, aim for 8–12 words
– Use relevant keywords naturally without stuffing
– Rename image files before uploading (e.g., “warwickshire-wedding-venue.jpg”)
– Use dashes (not underscores) in file names
Adding image tags may feel like a small step, but it makes a big difference to how search engines and users experience your site.
