When someone does a search on Google, you'll notice that there is a tab at the top with images related to the query that was entered.

So how do you get your images to show up there?

1. Save your image as a jpeg.

2. Make sure you image is appropriately sized for use on the web. There is no need to have a HUGE image. If you're a photographer, you can easily do this in Photoshop. My clients get the choice of downloading original & web-sized images. If neither of these are available to you go ahead and use a free site like compress.png.

A name like 0_123578.jpg means NOTHING to Google. Instead give your image a name that tells them what it is. Example: Tampa-Pet-Photographer.jpg.

3. Name your image.

Most cameras will download your image with a numbered filed name. Example: 0_12689.jpg. This doesn't tell Google a thing. You'll want to rename your image to something that makes sense like Tampa-Dog-Photographer.jpg or even Photographer-Kristin-Barnes.jpg.

Google is smart. But there are some things even Google can't figure out. Example. If you want to be found for "Tampa Dog Photographer" having an image

Guess what this image was named? That's right. Tampa-Pet-Photographer-06.

How do you change the name of your image? I use Adobe Bridge to batch rename for my clients, but if you don't have access to that, it's as simple as a right clicking on an image and "renaming" it!

I share a how-to in the video above.

4. Alt-Text

If you use a site like Squarespace, the image name will autofill into the title section. SS's word for "alt-text" If you are using a WP site, you may have to manually enter this.

How is alt-text used?

This is just another way to tell the viewer what the image is. If a site is slow to load or the images are not showing you'll see the "alt-text" instead. Side note: This is also a way for visually impaired people to know what an image is.

It's important that your alt-text accurately describes what's in your image. If you have a photo of a boat, don't name it miami-wedding-photographer.

Look what happened here?

When we did a google search for Tampa Pet Photographer, Kristin's photo and her image pulled up in Google Image Search.

Notice the name under the description matches the name we gave it on the computer before we even uploaded it to her website.

Easy, right?

I'll be back with more tips on getting your images to rank!

How To Optimize Your Images for Google Search