Is a fundamental aspect of optimizing a website for better search engine visibility. Proper file naming not only to name enhances image indexing but also contributes to improved rankings on platforms like Google Images. Thoughtful naming practices can drive more organic traffic and improve the overall user experience.
Use descriptive and relevant to name keywords
When deciding it’s important to include relevant keywords that describe the image content. For example, instead of using a generic name like “IMG1234.jpg,” use something like “blue-running-shoes-men.jpg.” This tells search engines what the image is about and increases its chances of being shown in image search results.
Keep filenames short but informative
While including keywords is important, filenames should remain concise. Overly long names can be difficult to manage and may get cut off in certain systems. Aim for 3 to 6 words that e-commerce photo editing clearly describe the image, such as “leather-office-chair.jpg” rather than “high-quality-leather-office-chair-in-black-color.jpg.”
Use hyphens instead of underscores
Search engines like Google treat hyphens as word separators, while underscores are not always recognized. For SEO, it’s best to use hyphens to separate words in a filename. For how to use filters while keeping product colors example, “red-laptop-bag.jpg” is more SEO-friendly than “red_laptop_bag.jpg” because the former is more easily interpreted by crawlers.
Avoid stop words and unnecessary filler
When learning it’s helpful to eliminate filler or stop words like “and,” “the,” or “of.” These words don’t add value to SEO and only make filenames longer. Instead of “picture-of-the-best-backpack.jpg,” simply go with “best-backpack.jpg.”
Incorporate brand names when relevant
If your brand name is well-known or relevant to a search query, including it in the file name can improve recognition and search visibility. For instance, “nike-running-shoes-women.jpg” can be china numbers more effective than a generic alternative, especially for brand-related image searches.
Match filenames with page content
Consistency between image filenames and the page they appear on is a best practice in SEO. If a product page is about “organic cotton t-shirts,” the image files should reflect that with names like “organic-cotton-tshirt-front.jpg” and “organic-cotton-tshirt-back.jpg.” This alignment strengthens search engine relevance.
Avoid duplicate filenames
Duplicate filenames across your site can confuse search engines and reduce the effectiveness of SEO. Each image should have a unique and descriptive name that reflects its specific content. This helps both users and search engines understand the differences between similar images.
Add context with specific details
Adding specific attributes such as size, color, or angle can give images more SEO weight. For example, instead of using “jacket.jpg,” a name like “black-leather-jacket-front-view.jpg” adds more context and boosts discoverability for long-tail keywords.
Update old filenames during site optimization
If your site is being optimized, part of understanding includes updating poorly named images. Renaming “DSC1001.jpg” to “blue-denim-jeans-back-pocket.jpg” helps boost visibility, especially when paired with updated alt text and relevant page content.
