Positioning graphics in the Google search engine
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:29 am
Why is graphical search so important?
While I couldn't find official figures, Google says that hundreds of millions of people around the world use Google Images to discover and explore content on the web every day.
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According to StatCounter.com data for the first quarter of 2024, Google is by far the most popular internet search engine in Poland. On average, over 95% of users in the country use it on various types of devices . The Google Images function is very popular, although detailed data on its share in total searches is not widely available.
The most popular search engines in Poland
The most popular search engines in Poland - source: StatCounter.com
How do images display in Google Images?
There are two ways to get to Google Images. You can click on the word "Images" on the right. After that, you will be redirected to the Google Images search engine.
How to go to Google ImagesImage Map
A sitemap also helps index images if they are difficult to discover and index. It is a collection of information about the images on your site. Its purpose is to make it easier to read the images and to indicate which ones should be indexed by Google robots. An image sitemap is different from a regular sitemap in that it can include image URLs from other domains.
How to get to Google Images.
The second option is to enter the phrase into the Google search engine. Once loaded, an additional tab will appear under the search bar, where you will find items such as Everything, Graphics, Videos, News, Books, Finance , etc. After clicking on the Graphics item , you will see a photo grid view.
Google Images Grid View
Google Images Grid View
Only after clicking on the photo will you see more details - the website address will appear above the selected image, and below it the Page button , which takes the user to the page where the given graphic is located. However, it is not the only way to get to the target page. Also, clicking on the title under the image and on the image itself will quickly take you to the website where the graphic you are interested in is located. These changes show that the role of graphics on the website is no longer limited to supporting content and improving the user experience, but is also an important source of traffic that cannot be ignored .
Displaying the result in Google Images
Displaying the result in Google Images
What influences the position of graphics and images in Google Images?
Optimizing and positioning photos in Google Images benefits the entire website. At the beginning, it is worth taking care of the uniqueness of the graphics , because it attracts users and helps the page stand out. It is also worth remembering that Google indexes one unique graphic. Therefore, it is good to have your own product photos or take care of the uniqueness of those from the manufacturer (for example, by different cropping or adding additional elements to the graphic). It is also worth taking care that the graphics are consistent with the content.
Moreover, you should avoid duplicating visual elements and make sure that you have the rights to the graphics you use . Copyright infringement can have serious consequences, so it is better to avoid it.
There are other elements that are important when optimizing and positioning images in Google. Below are a few of them!
Carefully selected name and description of the image
I’ll start with the simplest but often overlooked overseas chinese in worldwide data optimization task — proper naming. Before uploading a graphic to the site, remember to give it a proper name . It should briefly reflect what’s in the image and, if possible, include the keywords for which it should rank in search results. When creating image names, remember to make them not too long, not contain Polish characters, and replace spaces with the dash “-”, e.g. buty-do-biegania-adidas-falcon.jpg. Names to avoid include DSC4248.jpg.
Correct naming of the image
Correct naming of the image
Alt and title attribute
Another super simple thing to do to help your images rank higher in Google Image Search, increase your page’s relevance, and improve UX is to use the alt and title attributes in the HTML <img> tag . For image links, the alt and title provide search engines with context about the target page, which also helps with ranking. When it comes to these attributes, it’s important to be consistent and concise. Alt descriptions are played aloud by accessibility software and screen readers, and title attributes appear when visitors hover over images. Don’t include a list of keywords here; try to make the title a complement to the alt description.
Properly selected image alt attribute
Properly selected image alt attribute
For online stores, it’s a good idea to add SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) codes, ISBN (International Standard Book Number) numbers, or model numbers to the alt attributes of your product images, since sometimes users are looking for very specific items. Remember that image captions on the page and keywords in the surrounding text area also help Google search for more content for your images and improve their ranking.
High quality graphics
The guiding principle for every website administrator should be to add only the highest quality photos and graphics . Their uniqueness is equally important. Self-made graphics or photographs attract users' attention much more than free stock images that appear on many websites. Using fresh, previously unused photos is positively received by search engine robots and website visitors. One method of checking the uniqueness of an image on a website is to send it to an image search engine. If a given image does not appear in search results on other websites, you can be sure that no one but you has used it on their website.
Google Search Engine Images
Google Search Engine Images
Format, size and dimensions
The format of the image files has a significant impact on the load time of the page. Google Images supports BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, WebP, SVG and inline images. JPEG files are usually more SEO-friendly than PNG files . Therefore, if you don't care about transparent backgrounds, use JPG images, as they can achieve better compression levels, which means that the images load much faster.
Logos and other high-resolution computer-generated graphics can use the Scalable Vector Graphics ( SVG) vector file format . This is an XML-based 2D graphics format that is supported by all modern browsers. It can be placed directly in the page's code or as an external element.
Comparison of vector and raster graphics
Comparison of vector and raster graphics
GIF should be reserved for simple animations that don't require a wide color gamut (they are limited to 256 colors). For large and long animated images, the best solution will be to use the video format.
The actual file size (in kilobytes) is very important in positioning the image. Always try to save it under 100 KB if possible. If you must use a larger file size in the above the fold section (for banners), it is helpful to save the images as progressive JPGs, where the images can gradually start to show as they load (first a blurry version of the full image appears and gradually sharpens as more bytes are downloaded).
Control tools like Google Lighthouse and PageSpeed Insights recommend more specific compression formats (next-generation formats like JPEG 2000, JPEG XR, and WebP). More and more browsers display them correctly, so we can save some time on loading images in new formats.
For dimensions (image height and width), make sure your images are no wider than the most popular desktop screen resolutions (which are usually a maximum of 2560 pixels wide). Otherwise, browsers will scale them down unnecessarily. Also, make sure your CSS creates responsive images, meaning they automatically adjust to the screen size. Depending on your site’s visual needs, this could mean saving different versions of the same image in different dimensions to dynamically display the most optimized image based on the user’s screen (mobile, tablet, expanded or resized desktop window, etc.).
Images can not only slow down your page due to their format, size, and quantity, but they can also slow down performance depending on how they load.
Loading photos on the page
Image optimization and positioning also focuses on ensuring that images load properly. While the HTTP/2 web protocol has streamlined the process of loading multiple images at once, slow loading images in the below the fold section can provide significant performance improvements in some cases (especially heavy articles or long-form images, such as galleries). Slow loading allows the page to finish loading even if multiple off-screen images only start loading after the user scrolls down. While this technique can improve page speed, it runs the risk of adversely affecting image indexing if not implemented correctly (see how to speed up a website ).
While I couldn't find official figures, Google says that hundreds of millions of people around the world use Google Images to discover and explore content on the web every day.
Reach new customers with Google positioning
Order a free quote!
Your company email *
Phone number
Page address
Content of the inquiry
* I consent to KS Sp. z o. o. (NIP: 6852338589) sending cooperation proposals to the email address I provided and to using it for email communication for marketing purposes. I also consent to being contacted by phone in order to process my offer application.
(read more)
According to StatCounter.com data for the first quarter of 2024, Google is by far the most popular internet search engine in Poland. On average, over 95% of users in the country use it on various types of devices . The Google Images function is very popular, although detailed data on its share in total searches is not widely available.
The most popular search engines in Poland
The most popular search engines in Poland - source: StatCounter.com
How do images display in Google Images?
There are two ways to get to Google Images. You can click on the word "Images" on the right. After that, you will be redirected to the Google Images search engine.
How to go to Google ImagesImage Map
A sitemap also helps index images if they are difficult to discover and index. It is a collection of information about the images on your site. Its purpose is to make it easier to read the images and to indicate which ones should be indexed by Google robots. An image sitemap is different from a regular sitemap in that it can include image URLs from other domains.
How to get to Google Images.
The second option is to enter the phrase into the Google search engine. Once loaded, an additional tab will appear under the search bar, where you will find items such as Everything, Graphics, Videos, News, Books, Finance , etc. After clicking on the Graphics item , you will see a photo grid view.
Google Images Grid View
Google Images Grid View
Only after clicking on the photo will you see more details - the website address will appear above the selected image, and below it the Page button , which takes the user to the page where the given graphic is located. However, it is not the only way to get to the target page. Also, clicking on the title under the image and on the image itself will quickly take you to the website where the graphic you are interested in is located. These changes show that the role of graphics on the website is no longer limited to supporting content and improving the user experience, but is also an important source of traffic that cannot be ignored .
Displaying the result in Google Images
Displaying the result in Google Images
What influences the position of graphics and images in Google Images?
Optimizing and positioning photos in Google Images benefits the entire website. At the beginning, it is worth taking care of the uniqueness of the graphics , because it attracts users and helps the page stand out. It is also worth remembering that Google indexes one unique graphic. Therefore, it is good to have your own product photos or take care of the uniqueness of those from the manufacturer (for example, by different cropping or adding additional elements to the graphic). It is also worth taking care that the graphics are consistent with the content.
Moreover, you should avoid duplicating visual elements and make sure that you have the rights to the graphics you use . Copyright infringement can have serious consequences, so it is better to avoid it.
There are other elements that are important when optimizing and positioning images in Google. Below are a few of them!
Carefully selected name and description of the image
I’ll start with the simplest but often overlooked overseas chinese in worldwide data optimization task — proper naming. Before uploading a graphic to the site, remember to give it a proper name . It should briefly reflect what’s in the image and, if possible, include the keywords for which it should rank in search results. When creating image names, remember to make them not too long, not contain Polish characters, and replace spaces with the dash “-”, e.g. buty-do-biegania-adidas-falcon.jpg. Names to avoid include DSC4248.jpg.
Correct naming of the image
Correct naming of the image
Alt and title attribute
Another super simple thing to do to help your images rank higher in Google Image Search, increase your page’s relevance, and improve UX is to use the alt and title attributes in the HTML <img> tag . For image links, the alt and title provide search engines with context about the target page, which also helps with ranking. When it comes to these attributes, it’s important to be consistent and concise. Alt descriptions are played aloud by accessibility software and screen readers, and title attributes appear when visitors hover over images. Don’t include a list of keywords here; try to make the title a complement to the alt description.
Properly selected image alt attribute
Properly selected image alt attribute
For online stores, it’s a good idea to add SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) codes, ISBN (International Standard Book Number) numbers, or model numbers to the alt attributes of your product images, since sometimes users are looking for very specific items. Remember that image captions on the page and keywords in the surrounding text area also help Google search for more content for your images and improve their ranking.
High quality graphics
The guiding principle for every website administrator should be to add only the highest quality photos and graphics . Their uniqueness is equally important. Self-made graphics or photographs attract users' attention much more than free stock images that appear on many websites. Using fresh, previously unused photos is positively received by search engine robots and website visitors. One method of checking the uniqueness of an image on a website is to send it to an image search engine. If a given image does not appear in search results on other websites, you can be sure that no one but you has used it on their website.
Google Search Engine Images
Google Search Engine Images
Format, size and dimensions
The format of the image files has a significant impact on the load time of the page. Google Images supports BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, WebP, SVG and inline images. JPEG files are usually more SEO-friendly than PNG files . Therefore, if you don't care about transparent backgrounds, use JPG images, as they can achieve better compression levels, which means that the images load much faster.
Logos and other high-resolution computer-generated graphics can use the Scalable Vector Graphics ( SVG) vector file format . This is an XML-based 2D graphics format that is supported by all modern browsers. It can be placed directly in the page's code or as an external element.
Comparison of vector and raster graphics
Comparison of vector and raster graphics
GIF should be reserved for simple animations that don't require a wide color gamut (they are limited to 256 colors). For large and long animated images, the best solution will be to use the video format.
The actual file size (in kilobytes) is very important in positioning the image. Always try to save it under 100 KB if possible. If you must use a larger file size in the above the fold section (for banners), it is helpful to save the images as progressive JPGs, where the images can gradually start to show as they load (first a blurry version of the full image appears and gradually sharpens as more bytes are downloaded).
Control tools like Google Lighthouse and PageSpeed Insights recommend more specific compression formats (next-generation formats like JPEG 2000, JPEG XR, and WebP). More and more browsers display them correctly, so we can save some time on loading images in new formats.
For dimensions (image height and width), make sure your images are no wider than the most popular desktop screen resolutions (which are usually a maximum of 2560 pixels wide). Otherwise, browsers will scale them down unnecessarily. Also, make sure your CSS creates responsive images, meaning they automatically adjust to the screen size. Depending on your site’s visual needs, this could mean saving different versions of the same image in different dimensions to dynamically display the most optimized image based on the user’s screen (mobile, tablet, expanded or resized desktop window, etc.).
Images can not only slow down your page due to their format, size, and quantity, but they can also slow down performance depending on how they load.
Loading photos on the page
Image optimization and positioning also focuses on ensuring that images load properly. While the HTTP/2 web protocol has streamlined the process of loading multiple images at once, slow loading images in the below the fold section can provide significant performance improvements in some cases (especially heavy articles or long-form images, such as galleries). Slow loading allows the page to finish loading even if multiple off-screen images only start loading after the user scrolls down. While this technique can improve page speed, it runs the risk of adversely affecting image indexing if not implemented correctly (see how to speed up a website ).