Images are not just visual decoration — they are a significant ranking factor, a Core Web Vitals driver, and a standalone search channel that delivers measurable organic traffic. Google Images delivers 22.6% of all web traffic, and Google Lens processes over 12 billion visual queries per month. Despite this, image optimization remains one of the most overlooked areas of technical SEO.

Research shows that images are featured on 37.81% of SERPs. Businesses that ignore image SEO are leaving a substantial share of that visibility on the table.

This guide covers the five most impactful ways to optimize images for SEO, grounded entirely in current Google guidelines, Core Web Vitals research, and industry data — not guesswork.

Why Image SEO Matters for Organic Rankings

Since images typically comprise 50 to 90 percent of page weight, optimization delivers the most significant performance gains. Proper image optimization can dramatically improve loading speed, often reducing page load times by 50 to 70 percent for image-heavy pages.

Images contribute significantly to a website’s page weight, with desktop images averaging over 1,000 KB out of a total of 2,315 KB — that is nearly 50%. On mobile, images account for almost 900 KB out of 2,020 KB.

The number one search result receives 27.6% of all clicks and is 10 times more likely to receive a click compared to the 10th spot. Only 0.63% of users click anything on the second page of results. Page speed — which image optimization directly influences — is a confirmed Google ranking factor, making image SEO a direct lever for search performance.

5 Ways to Optimize Images for SEO

1. Use Clear and Descriptive Image File Names

When possible, use filenames that are short but descriptive. For example, my-new-black-kitten.jpg is better than IMG00023.JPG. Avoid using generic filenames like image1.jpg, pic.gif, or 1.jpg when possible.

Include a target keyword in the filename to improve search engine visibility, but avoid keyword stuffing. Keep filenames short with keywords at the beginning to make them easily identifiable. Use descriptive and relevant words to help with search engine indexing, and make every word count — do not include stop words such as “a”, “the”, “and”, or “in”.

One practical consideration: once Google crawls your images, it will not re-crawl them for a while, so there is no point in changing existing filenames after the fact. Optimize filenames before uploading.

If your site serves international audiences, when you localize your images, remember to also translate the filenames, keeping the URL encoding guidelines in mind if you are using non-Latin or special characters.

2. Write Keyword-Rich Alt Text and Image Titles

The most important attribute when it comes to providing more metadata for an image is the alt text — text that describes an image — which also improves accessibility for people who cannot see images on web pages, including users who use screen readers or have low-bandwidth connections. Google uses alt text along with computer vision algorithms and the contents of the page to understand the subject matter of the image.

Be descriptive and relevant to help search engines and users. Avoid “picture of” or “photo of” as they add unnecessary words. Use keywords naturally to enhance SEO without keyword stuffing. Keep it concise to ensure clarity and relevance. Use specific language — for example, “Honda Civic” instead of “car” — to provide detailed information.

Avoid using text in images. It does not meet accessibility guidelines as screen readers cannot read it.

When an image is used as a link, be sure to include alternate text relevant to the link’s destination to enhance the user experience.

3. Choose the Right Image Format: WebP and AVIF Are the Current Standard

The original article’s recommendation to use only JPEG and PNG is outdated. Google now supports and actively recommends modern next-generation formats.

AVIF delivers 50% smaller files than JPEG at equivalent quality. WebP provides 25 to 35% savings with near-universal browser support.

WebP has 95% browser support, while AVIF is supported by around 92%.Both formats are now widely supported across modern browsers, making them the practical standard for web image delivery in 2026.

The optimal strategy is to leverage each format where it makes sense. For most sites, this means using AVIF whenever maximum compression or quality is needed, and falling back to WebP for broad compatibility.

To serve both formats with a legacy fallback, use the HTML <picture> element:

html

<picture>

<source srcset=”image.avif” type=”image/avif” />

<source srcset=”image.webp” type=”image/webp” />

<img src=”image.jpg” alt=”Description of the image” width=”1200″ height=”800″ />

</picture>

You can use the Squoosh web app to convert your images to these formats. For WordPress sites, WordPress introduced AVIF support in 2024 on version 6.5, and the Modern Image Formats plugin enables the use of WebP and AVIF image formats for media uploads.

JPEG and PNG still have a role: use JPEG for photographs where legacy compatibility is critical, and PNG only when transparency is required and WebP is not supported.

4. Compress Images and Set Correct Dimensions to Protect Core Web Vitals

Image optimization directly impacts three of Google’s Core Web Vitals metrics — Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), and Interaction to Next Paint (INP).

Largest Contentful Paint measures how quickly the main content of a web page loads. Images should load in under 2.5 seconds. Cumulative Layout Shift measures visual stability — images that change size while loading cause layout shifts. Prevent this by always setting explicit image width and height attributes.

If the width or height attribute is not set, the browser does not know how much space to reserve for the image during rendering and will reserve 0 pixels for any missing dimension — causing visible layout shifts as the page loads.

Experts generally recommend an image width of about 1200 pixels. Ensure images are high-resolution, as images can appear in many different ways on the search result page — a small thumbnail, a larger preview, within a carousel — so you want images that look good no matter how Google manipulates them.

For Google Discover specifically, use large images at least 1200 pixels wide with the max-image-preview directive. Hero images should be a minimum of 1000 pixels wide with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

For compression tools, TinyPNG specializes in compressing PNG and JPEG files and achieves file size reductions of up to 70% while preserving transparency in PNGs. JPEGmini optimizes JPEG images and reduces file sizes by up to 80%. Google’s PageSpeed Insights is the recommended tool for auditing image performance on your specific pages.

5. Use Lazy Loading, Image Sitemaps, and Structured Data

Lazy Loading

Lazy loading is a web development technique that delays the loading of non-critical resources on a webpage — such as images, videos, or scripts — until they are actually needed by the user. This approach prioritizes the initial loading of essential content while deferring the loading of secondary elements until they come into the user’s view.

Modern browsers support native lazy loading through a single HTML attribute: loading=”lazy”. However, there is one critical rule: you should always avoid lazy loading the LCP element. If a browser has a chance to download the LCP element early during the rendering process, the image will be available to the browser as early as possible and the browser can start painting that element early.

Use fetchpriority=”high” and <link rel=”preload”> for your hero images. Lazy-loading the LCP image is one of the most common performance anti-patterns.

As of 2024, only just above 30% of images use lazy loading — making it one of the easiest performance improvements available to most websites.

Consistent Image URLs

Google has updated its image SEO best practices with guidance on using the same URL when sharing images across a website. If an image is referenced on multiple pages within a larger website, consistently reference the image with the same URL so that Google can cache and reuse the image without needing to request it multiple times.

Image Sitemaps

You can provide the URL of images Google might not have otherwise discovered by submitting an image sitemap. Submitting a dedicated image sitemap ensures Google discovers and indexes all your images, not just those linked from crawled pages — this is critical for eCommerce sites with thousands of product variants.

Structured Data for Images

If you include structured data, Google can display your images in certain rich results, including a prominent badge in Google Images, which gives users relevant information about your page and can drive better targeted traffic to your site. In each of these structured data types, the image attribute is a required field to be eligible for a badge and rich result in Google Images.

By providing structured data, you are helping Google understand the images on your pages. Follow Google’s General Structured Data Guidelines and use the Rich Results Test tool to check if your page supports rich results.

How Image Optimization Affects Page Speed and Core Web Vitals

A good LCP score is 2.5 seconds or less. Websites meeting Core Web Vitals benchmarks see lower bounce rates and higher rankings. Improving LCP can boost conversions by up to 12% for every second saved.

Converting images to WebP or AVIF delivers 25 to 50% savings in page weight. In 2024, roughly 30% of images served use WebP, and fewer than 5% use AVIF — meaning the majority of websites have not yet captured the full performance benefit of modern image formats.

As of May 2024, only 62.1% of websites pass the LCP assessment, leaving room to outpace the competition by meeting the “Good” threshold.

Best Free Tools to Optimize Images for SEO

Several tools are widely used and recommended for image optimization:

Squoosh — Google’s open-source web app for converting and compressing images to WebP and AVIF formats, with a visual quality comparison tool built in.

TinyPNG / TinyJPG — Specializes in compressing PNG and JPEG files, achieving file size reductions of up to 70% while preserving transparency in PNGs. Supports batch processing and offers API access for automation.

Google PageSpeed Insights — Provides mobile and desktop Core Web Vitals scores along with specific recommendations for image and page optimization.

WordPress Plugins — For WordPress sites, plugins like ShortPixel, Imagify, or Smush automatically compress and convert images to optimal formats.

CDNs with Automatic Optimization — Content delivery networks like Cloudflare or Cloudinary offer automatic image optimization and delivery.

Common Image SEO Mistakes to Avoid

Using CSS background images for important content. Google does not index CSS images. Use standard HTML image elements — Google can find images in the src attribute of the <img> element.

Loading images via JavaScript without fallbacks. Execution of on-page JavaScript and rendering often happens later than the first wave of indexing. If lazy loading is set up with an event listener rather than with IntersectionObserver, the JavaScript may never be triggered during Googlebot’s page render.

Using stock photos for featured images. Search engines like Google rank unique images more highly than stock photos found on multiple sites.

Keyword-stuffing file names or alt text. Avoid keyword stuffing in alt text as it results in a negative user experience and your content may be perceived as spam.

Not setting image dimensions. Always specify explicit width and height attributes on every image to prevent Cumulative Layout Shift, which is a confirmed Core Web Vitals ranking signal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Image SEO

What image format is best for SEO in 2026? WebP and AVIF are the 2026 standard. AVIF delivers 50% smaller files than JPEG at equivalent quality, and WebP provides 25 to 35% savings with near-universal browser support.Use the <picture> element to serve AVIF with a WebP fallback and JPEG as the final fallback for older browsers.

What is alt text and why does it matter for SEO? Alt text is text that describes an image and improves accessibility for people who cannot see images on web pages, including users who use screen readers or have low-bandwidth connections. Google uses alt text along with computer vision algorithms and the contents of the page to understand the subject matter of the image.

Should I lazy load all images? No. Lazy loading should only be applied to images below the fold — images that are not immediately visible when a page first loads. Lazy-loading the LCP image is one of the most common performance anti-patterns and should be explicitly avoided. Use fetchpriority=”high” on your hero or LCP image instead.

Do image file names affect SEO? Yes. According to Google Images Best Practices, descriptive, keyword-rich file names are vital for improving your site’s ranking in search engines. They provide search engines with context and improve the chances of your images appearing in image search results.

What is an image sitemap and do I need one? You can provide the URL of images Google might not have otherwise discovered by submitting an image sitemap.It is particularly important for large eCommerce sites or any website where images are loaded dynamically and may not be easily discovered by crawlers through standard HTML links alone.

In some professions and recreational activities, there’s no doubt about the importance of safety equipment. The flare launcher is one piece of gear that serves many purposes, including ensuring visibility, signaling for help, and ensuring safety.

Flare launchers are usually thought of as emergency contraptions, but they are also handy for field explorers, boaters, pilots, and even people working in distant places. They’re simple yet powerful tools which offer more security and preparedness wherever you go.

Safety and Emergency Signaling

The biggest benefit of having a flare launcher is that it is, simply put, effective as an emergency signaling tool. Whether you’re camping in the boonies or hiking in the high country, or you’re out on a boat in open water, things happen and someone may need to quickly get help and reach out for help. A flare launcher allows emergency services to help find you, because your send up a flame that they can see far away.

Flares are a ready indicator of your location and can draw immediate attention in an emergency. Due to their brightness and visibility, they are especially useful in poor weather conditions. Flare launchers are unlike many other electronic devices that will eventually be out of battery or drop signal. They are a trusted backup that will allow you to signal for help when you cannot. Find out more useful info here https://modded.com/gear/flare-gun/.

Increased Visibility in Low-Light Conditions

A flare launcher is very useful if you need more visibility in low light or nighttime situations. For folks who like to explore the great outdoors—boating, hiking, camping—flare launchers can provide a reliable source of light to help you be seen.

This is especially useful for boaters as flares will point towards you, alerting other vessels of your presence and preventing the chances of collision as well as getting other boaters to know that you exist in the dark or foggy conditions.

It’s possible that normal lighting won’t work or be available outside, and electronic lights might not be visible from far away. As an alternative, a flare is a reliable and powerful tool that can help you stay visible from far away and in tough circumstances. For safety reasons, this extra exposure can be very helpful, especially when GPS or cell phone signals aren’t working well. Read more here.

Versatile Tool for Various Situations

Apart from being useful in emergencies, flare launchers can be used for many other useful tasks in both personal and business settings. In the maritime setting, for instance, flares can be used as normal way to talk to other ships. Hikers and climbers can use flares to let their group know where they are if they get separated, and pilots may find flare launchers useful in some aviation situations.

You should also know that flares can be used as marks or to talk to teams across long distances in industrial settings, especially those that are hard to reach or in rough terrain. A flare shooter is a useful tool to have around because it can be used for different things, like lighting, signaling, or even marking. How convenient, right?

Reliability in Harsh Weather Conditions

Flares are a reliable way to send emergency signals, even when the weather is bad. Bad weather like rain, snow, fog, and other things won’t stop a flare from lighting up the sky and making you visible. This dependability is very important for people who like being outside, who work in harsh settings where the weather can change quickly, and mariners.

When you’re in a storm on a boat or while camping, for example, many signaling devices may lose power or stop working because of the weather. If you need help, flares are a reliable way to do it because they are made to survive a variety of environmental challenges. If you have a flare launcher, you can be sure that you can get help, even if the weather is bad or uncertain.

Simple and User-Friendly Operation

A flare launcher is also useful because it is simple to use. In an emergency, people under pressure need tools that are easy to use and don’t require a lot of training or complicated steps. The great news is that flare launchers are usually easy to use because they were made to be simple so that anyone can do a good job when they need to.

Most flare launchers are easy for people of all skill levels to use because they only need a few steps to load and fire. Because it’s so simple, you don’t have to worry about complicated steps to follow when time is of the essence. Because of this, flare shooters are great for emergency kits because they can be used by people who have never used one before.

Freight forwarders are a vital part of Asia’s economy. They are important in the transportation of goods and materials throughout the region. The movement of goods would be much more complicated and expensive if freight forwarders did not exist. In this article, we’ll look at the role freight forwarders play in the Asian economy and how they have contributed to Asia becoming one of the most prosperous regions on the planet.

What Are Freight Forwarders?

Let us first define Freight forwarders; Freight forwarders are people or organizations that help individuals, organizations, or companies transport their goods from one location to another. Freight forwarders help make the entire process easier and more convenient. They also help companies save money on shipping, as they can negotiate rates and decide on the most efficient way to transport the goods.

Freight forwarders help make shipping seamless and convenient. They believe in a “one-stop-shop” approach to shipping. They handle everything from the initial research and planning to the transportation of the product. Freight forwarders can ship anything from electronics to gems and precious metals.

A significant benefit of using freight forwarders is that they help to reduce the amount of paperwork and red tape that accompanies shipping. This is especially true when shipping between different countries or regions. A freight forwarder can help to streamline the process and make it less cumbersome.

Asia’s Freight Forwarders: The Unsung Heroes of the Economy

Freight forwarders are the unsung heroes of Asia’s economy. They work behind the scenes to move goods and cargo around the region, ensuring that trade flows smoothly and businesses operate efficiently. Despite their importance, many people don’t know much about freight forwarders or what they do.

In simple terms, freight forwarders are companies that specialize in the transportation of goods and materials. They offer a wide selection of services, including shipping coordination and customs clearance, as well as storage and warehousing. Freight forwarders play a vital role in ensuring that trade can occur smoothly and efficiently.

Asia is home to some of the busiest ports globally, Container trade flows within Asia reached an estimated volume of 41.5 million TEUs in 2021. Freight forwarders are responsible for moving these containers from the docks to their final destination. In many cases, freight forwarders will also be responsible for arranging the transport of goods by air or rail.

Role of Freight Forwarders in Asia’s Economy

As Asia’s economy has grown at an unprecedented rate in recent years, the role of freight forwarders has become even more essential. Freight forwarders have helped facilitate the growth of Asia’s economy by making it easier for businesses to trade with one another. Without freight forwarders, the movement of goods around Asia would be much more complex and expensive.

How Freight Forwarders Have Helped Businesses Grow in Asia

Freight forwarders have helped businesses in Asia grow in several ways. Firstly, they have made it easier and cheaper to transport goods around the region. This has been particularly important for small businesses that may not have the resources to ship their goods themselves. Freight forwarders have also helped companies to save time and money by handling customs clearance and other bureaucratic procedures.

Another way freight forwarders have aided Asian businesses is by giving them access to new markets. Freight forwarders have a large connection of contacts through which they can assist businesses in finding new customers or suppliers. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may lack the resources to establish a presence in foreign markets.

Finally, freight forwarders have played a vital role in helping businesses cope with globalization’s challenges. Freight forwarders have allowed companies to navigate the complex world of international trade and find new opportunities in the global marketplace.

Freight forwarders have played an essential role in helping Asia’s economy grow and prosper. They have helped make trade more accessible and more efficient and have provided businesses with access to new markets and opportunities. For instance, Zggship a freight forwarding company in China offers efficient and hassle-free shipments to their customers. Freight forwarders are an essential part of Asia’s economy and will continue to play a vital role in the years ahead.

The Future of Freight Forwarding in Asia

With rapid industrialization accompanied by urbanization and modernization, the flow of goods and people across borders will continue to rise. However, a limited supply of operational land can meet the growing demand. Land shortages could lead to an inability to expand storage and distribution bases and make it difficult for the industry to grow.

If the industry can reduce the time it takes to deliver goods to the market, it can help factories and businesses cut their costs. In addition, freight forwarding can help companies to establish a sustainable supply chain, which allows them to reduce costs and boost profits.

Finally, freight forwarding can help to reduce emissions and cut costs by transporting goods to their destination in a more efficient manner. This can only be accomplished if businesses collaborate with suppliers and logistics service providers to improve supply chain efficiency and establish a sustainable logistics ecosystem.

China as an Example

If we look at China, for example, we see that the retail industry is the largest consumer of transportation services. This is mainly due to large numbers of centralized wholesale and retail markets. The Chinese government is currently trying to move the Chinese consumer market to the ” new retail ” which will help to decentralize the wholesale-to-retail supply chain.

To achieve this, the government aims to build a new retail service industry that is closely integrated with the latest retail sector. At the same time, it will make a distribution center management system and optimize the supply chain to achieve a win-win situation.

As China continues to develop, many cross-border e-commerce platforms will continue to emerge. These platforms can help companies participate in the international market and expand their businesses. The government will continue to promote the development of cross-border e-commerce and facilitate the development of the logistics industry.

The Chinese government is expected to play an important role in facilitating the development of the logistics industry by providing more funding and tax breaks to the industry, which will improve the industry’s overall competitiveness.

On the bright side, the logistics industry in Asia will continue to grow. The challenge for the industry is utilizing and expanding the value of its resources. As the industry’s main stakeholders, shippers and consumers, begin to understand the benefits of doing so, the industry can become more sustainable. The cycle currently plaguing the sector can hopefully come to an end.

Some Challenges Faced by Freight Forwarders in Some Countries of Asia

Warehousing Sustainability

Because most cargo moved is agricultural or raw materials, and logistics and transportation costs are highly sensitive, environmentally and financially sustainable logistics is a challenge for Asian companies. These types of cargo require large storage rooms and low transportation costs, which puts pressure on vehicle operators to save costs through reduced vehicle maintenance, the purchase of older, less efficient trucks, or the hiring of less-skilled workers.

Health Agencies breaches, unlicensed warehousing, land removal, and vehicle pollution are increasing as a result of these initiatives. Excessive competitiveness also contributes to this downward spiral, as new logistics companies emerge to take a bite out of what looks to be an infinite cake rather than pooling assets and efforts.

In reality, service providers are fighting for the same clients and reducing profit margins to acquire new clients. At the same time, end customers benefit from a decreased barrier to entry. The vicious cycle continues until the market collapses, compelling operators with higher overhead costs to sell assets or enter into a precarious merger with another company to survive the low season.

There are bad things that happen in the worst-case scenario: warehouses are abandoned because owners can’t afford to keep their loans and the bank won’t let them sell the property; trucks and cars get nasty for the same reason, and workers are laid off.

If you want to plan for the future of logistics in Asia, you should think about how to use the industry’s resources and improve service quality. This will change shippers’ mindsets from looking for the lowest possible price regardless of service levels to working with logistics partners who manage their logistics as true partners over time.

High Transport Costs

In Asia, transportation costs are still high. The region’s rail and road networks are less developed than Europe and North America. Many countries do not have rail networks or do not use them to transport goods, meaning that trucks will be the most used. In addition, the region has a large number of islands. Only a few Asian countries have seaports, and the costs to build new ones are high.

In addition, the region has a high population density, making the transportation of goods and people demanding. To improve the flow of goods and reduce costs, the quality of roads and railways must be improved. Furthermore, the region’s aviation development has a long way to go.

The development of the region’s logistics hubs has not kept up with the fast passenger and cargo flow. The region’s main ports, shipyards, and airports are struggling to cope with the region’s increasing growth, and management is a challenge, especially in terms of maintenance and permanent workers. The result is higher costs and less efficient operational systems.

Domestic Trade Barriers

Policies on trade and tariffs in Asian countries are still relatively high, and specific sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, are still subsidized by the government and protected. This has led to higher prices for agricultural products and has reduced the competitiveness of Asian countries in the export market, which has hindered the development of the region’s logistics sector.

The government should promote the reduction of tariffs and a reduction in subsidies and continue to increase the import of foreign goods to lower the cost of logistics in Asia.

Conclusion

As economies and their supply chains continue to evolve and mature, demand will continue to rise for a sustainable means of moving cargo. Companies that can maintain customer satisfaction while striving to minimize environmental impact will gain a foot up on the competition.

In addition, logistics service providers that succeed in transforming themselves into true partners that provide a full range of services will see their business model last longer than those that remain stuck in survival mode.