| Search Engine Optimization for Google Image Search | | | | surrounding text heavilywhen in determining what the |
| You may have noticed a recent trend on Google | | | | picture is about. Be sure to place relevantkeywords |
| lately. They seem to beintegrating their different | | | | above and below the image you are optimizing. |
| vertical engines such as Image and Blog search, intothe | | | | Image File Names: Another important factor is whether |
| normal search results. For certain search queries, you | | | | or not keywordsare in the image file name. For |
| even see a few imagesappear above the webpage | | | | example, if you were trying to optimize for theword |
| results. | | | | "Christiant-shirt", you might name the image |
| With this change in the way Google displays results, | | | | christian-t-shirt.jpg. Of course, italways difficult to |
| website owners mustplace additional focus on | | | | optimize this way if you are forced to go back and |
| optimizing for image results. By taking a quick lookat | | | | changethe name of existing images. Keep keywords |
| your log files or analytics software, you might be | | | | in mind when you are naming them inthe first place. |
| surprised to see you arealready getting decent traffic | | | | Link Anchor Text: Although it's somewhat uncommon |
| from image searches. | | | | to link directly toan image that's not in a web page, you |
| The following tips will get you started with optimizing | | | | can greatly increase your ranking byusing relevant |
| the images thatappear on your site. | | | | anchor text in the hyperlink just as if you were |
| Alt Image Text: Probably the most significant factor in | | | | optimizing for awebpage. |
| ranking for animage search is the contents of the | | | | As people's search preferences become more |
| image alt property. Basically, the alt textshould contain | | | | sophisticated, the popularity ofvertical search engines |
| a brief description of the item as if you were explaining | | | | will grow. In addition, Google and other SE's willlikely |
| it to ablind person. After all, the original intention of this | | | | continue to mix results from various types of content. |
| property for the visionimpaired. | | | | If you ensure thatyou keep on top of these changes, |
| Surrounding Image Text: Google will weigh the | | | | you'll likely continue to see your site riseabove the rest. |