4 Simple Mistakes You're Making In Optimizing Images for Search Results

Searching by image has been around for awhile but it still seems as if no one has really figured out how to make it work for them.... and not just to identify birds or the spider that just crawled out of your shoe.

Here are a few simple steps which make up part of my 21st Lead Generation Strategy. These steps can help make your images more productive and prominent in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Follow these simple rules for optimizing your images
for search engines.

1. Make the Specs Match the Engine.  

Most local pages simply won't upload images that do not comply to their standards. Others can accept the file but when displayed, looks more like a cast-off Picasso than a picture.

Two common image file types for the web are JPEG and PNG. Choosing the right image type can reduce the file's size and increase clarity with no visual degradation. The file size should be 150 dpi (dots per inch), that's as high a resolution as you should go. Saving as the right file type and reducing the image size can be done with most photo editing software.

2. If It Ain't Blue, Fix It.  

Make sure the image color space is RGB (red, green, blue: the web spectrum or your television) and not CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black: also known as 'four color' or 'process color,' it's the print color space). This can be done with photo editing software.

3. Tag, You're It.  

Tagging images with keywords serves as search engine bait. Simply rename your image with your location (zip, city) and a keyword (heating, bookkeeping, etc).  Don't forget to Geo-tag while you're at it. Geo-tagging is the process of adding geographical data to your image through metadata.  There are two main methods for geotagging photos; you can capture GPS information the moment the photo is taken (a setting on the camera) or you can assign the photograph to a map after the picture is taken. This information can be used to find location-based resources. Like your company!

4. Comply.  

Use your common sense. If you wouldn't want the image on the side of your car, don't upload it. If it doesn't somehow, in some way represent you or your business, don't upload it. If someone is nekkid, don't upload it. Or if the image captures someone doing something really stupid. That basically eliminates the entire cast of Jackass.

Here's a quick guide to search engine image compliance rules. Search Engines will remove images they see that violate any of the rules below:

• Illegal content
• Violations of copyright
• Trademark infringement
• Pornography
• Incitement of violence
• Promotions of hate
• Invasion of privacy 
• Be of respectable quality. Photos that are overly blurry, noisy, rotated, or too dark may be removed. 

 Hope you have found this guide helpful. If you have any question, don't hesitate to ask! 

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