The digital world is becoming more visual, so the power of image optimization can’t be ignored. Odds are, you have at least one image on every page in your WordPress site. If you don’t optimize your images, you nullify a relevant SEO asset.

Image optimization can produce a better user experience with faster page load times and can enhance your SEO within the traditional and image search results.

While visual search technology has produced some prominent changes, search engine bots are still weak in identifying the content of an image. Rather, they depend on the text associated with the image in order to understand and interpret it.

So, how can you help the search engine to efficiently read and understand what your image contents are?

Here are 5 simple image optimizations tips you can do today!

Use JPEG and PNG images

A JPEG image will keep its quality better than any other image format when it’s compressed or resized. JPEG is the most common phototype in the digital world and is excellent for producing quality images in small file sizes.

While PNG images are best for handling transparency. They are usually used for logos, as the image appears small, but the resolution is high quality.

Use optimal file size

Large images are the foremost reason for slower loading times, which can corrupt your SEO and user experience. Decreasing your site’s image files by resizing and compressing your images can help hugely.

There are several tools you can use online to help you achieve the desired file size without having to compromise quality. Make sure to use the ‘Save for web’ functionality to make sure you keep it in high quality. You can use Photoshop, PicMonkey or Pixlr and many others.

Use descriptions

This is image SEO’s most excellent practice. The description is the text that appears right under the image, describing what you see in the picture. The description gives more context for the search engines to easily understand your image.

Name properly

Generating descriptive, keyword-rich file names is crucial when it comes to image SEO. Your images will have a default name usually with the word IMG followed by a date that does not give any information about the image at all. If you want search engines to understand your image, make sure that you provide a descriptive name.

Make use of Alt text

Alt tags are the text alternative to your images when a browser cannot properly read them. Just like the title, the alt tag is utilized to describe what the image is all about. Alt-text is also required by the American Disabilities Act, as it is used for people who are unable to view the images.