Image SEO Best Practices Every Blogger Should Follow

Most bloggers work hard on writing, but lose traffic for one simple reason: their images are not optimized. Images can help your SEO, improve time on page, and bring extra visitors from Google Images. But if you upload heavy files, use random names, and skip alt text, images can also slow your site and block growth.

This guide is a simple, practical checklist you can follow for every blog post. No complicated theory. Just clear steps that help Google understand your images, help users experience faster pages, and help you get more organic traffic over time.

What Is Image SEO (And Why Bloggers Should Care)

Image SEO means optimizing your images so search engines can understand them and load them quickly. When done properly, you get three big wins.

• More visibility: Your images can appear in Google Images and sometimes in rich results.
• Better page speed: Smaller image files load faster, which helps user experience.
• Stronger relevance signals: File names, alt text, and surrounding content help Google understand the topic of your page.

Google does not “see” images like humans do. It uses context and signals. That is why file names, alt text, and proper formats matter. If you provide clear signals, Google can connect your images to your topic and rank your pages with more confidence.

The Biggest Image SEO Mistake Bloggers Make

The most common mistake is uploading images straight from a phone or camera. Those photos are usually huge in dimensions and file size. Even one image like that can slow down your entire post.

A slow post reduces engagement. People leave faster. Pages take longer to load. And over time, that makes ranking harder, especially if your competitors are faster.

Image SEO Checklist You Can Follow For Every Blog Post

If you want one system that always works, use this checklist. It is simple and repeatable.

• Resize images to the maximum size you need
• Compress images to reduce file size without visible blur
• Use WebP where possible
• Write descriptive file names
• Add natural, helpful alt text
• Keep your images fast to improve Core Web Vitals
• Use internal linking so Google crawls your blog faster

1) Choose the right image size for blog posts

Image size has two parts: dimensions (pixels) and file weight (KB). For blogs, you usually do not need ultra high resolution. If your blog content area is around 800 to 1000 pixels wide, your images should match that, not 3000 or 5000 pixels.

Practical sizing targets (easy rules)

• Blog content images: 800 to 1200px width
• Featured images: 1200 to 1600px width (depends on theme)
• Small screenshots: 700 to 1000px width
• Thumbnails: 300 to 600px width

Once you resize, your compression becomes more effective. You are not trying to compress a giant file that your page does not even need.

2) Compress images before upload (fast pages, better SEO)

Compression reduces file size while keeping quality looking natural. This is one of the highest impact SEO improvements for bloggers because images are often the heaviest part of a page.

A good target for most blog images is around 80 KB to 200 KB. Some images can be even smaller, especially if they are simple screenshots or graphics.

Use these real-world file size targets

• Blog images: 80 KB to 200 KB
• Large hero images: 150 KB to 400 KB
• Icons: under 20 KB
• Simple graphics: 30 KB to 120 KB

You can compress your images quickly using MyImageCompressor. If you have many images, use the Bulk Compressor to save time.

3) Pick the best image format (WebP vs JPEG vs PNG)

Format matters because different formats store data differently. For most bloggers, WebP is the best default because it produces smaller files at the same visual quality.

• WebP: Best for most blog images and featured images
• JPEG: Good for photos when you need compatibility
• PNG: Best for transparency and crisp UI graphics, but can be heavy

If you do not need transparency, avoid PNG for large photos. That is one of the quickest ways to make your blog slow.

4) Use descriptive file names (this helps Google understand context)

Google reads file names. If your image is called IMG_4829.jpg, it gives Google no clue. But if your image is called image-seo-alt-text-example.webp, it gives context.

Good file naming rules

• Use simple words that describe the image
• Use hyphens between words
• Keep it short and clear
• Avoid dates and random numbers unless needed

Example: image-seo-checklist.webp is better than screenshot-final-2.webp.

5) Write alt text like a human (no keyword stuffing)

Alt text is primarily for accessibility. It helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users. But it also gives search engines a strong hint about what the image shows.

The biggest mistake is stuffing keywords into alt text. That looks unnatural and can reduce trust. Instead, write alt text as a short, clear description.

Simple alt text formula

• What is in the image
• What is the purpose (if relevant)
• Include one keyword only if it naturally fits

6) Add captions only when they add value

Captions can improve readability because people scan. If an image needs explanation, a short caption helps. If the image is self-explanatory, captions are optional.

Captions are not required for SEO, but they can help user engagement. And engagement helps indirectly.

7) Place images near relevant text (context matters)

Google uses surrounding text to understand what an image represents. If your image is about “alt text examples,” place it near the alt text section, not randomly in the middle of another topic.

For bloggers, this is easy. Simply place images near the paragraph they support.

8) Use internal linking for faster crawling and better topical authority

Internal links help Google discover pages faster. If you want your blog posts to get indexed quickly, link them from pages that Google crawls often, like your homepage, tool pages, and blog index.

Here are tool-related internal links you should use naturally inside your blog posts:

• MyImageCompressor tool
• Bulk Image Compressor
• Blog home
• Compress Image to 100KB
• Compress Image to 200KB

9) Make images load faster on mobile (this is where most traffic comes from)

Most blogs today get a large share of traffic from mobile. So your image SEO must look good and load fast on mobile. That means lighter files and clean sizing.

Mobile-friendly image rules

• Keep images under 200 KB where possible
• Avoid huge hero images above the fold
• Compress aggressively, but do not blur text in screenshots
• Test your pages on a real phone, not only desktop

10) Graphics inside your blog (simple, clean, and SEO friendly)

If you want your blog to look more professional, add simple visuals that explain a concept. You do not need heavy images. Lightweight SVG graphics can look great, load instantly, and improve user experience.

This type of lightweight graphic improves user understanding and keeps your post visually rich without slowing down your page.

Common Image SEO Mistakes That Stop Growth

Even experienced bloggers make these mistakes. Fixing them can improve speed and rankings quickly.

• Uploading full-size phone images without resizing
• Not compressing images, especially featured images
• Using PNG for large photos
• Leaving file names as IMG_0001.jpg
• Writing alt text like a keyword list
• Uploading the same image multiple times in different sizes
• Adding too many heavy images above the fold

A Simple Image SEO Workflow (Use This On Every Post)

Here is a beginner-friendly workflow you can repeat every time you publish.

Step 1: Decide the maximum display width

Check your blog layout. If your content area is around 900px, resize to about 1200px maximum. This keeps quality sharp without unnecessary weight.

Step 2: Export to WebP if possible

WebP usually gives the best balance between quality and size. If you need transparency, use PNG only where required.

Step 3: Compress using MyImageCompressor

Upload the resized image to MyImageCompressor. If you are working with many images, use the Bulk Compressor. For specific targets, use dedicated pages like Compress to 100KB or Compress to 200KB.

Step 4: Rename file for clarity

Use a descriptive filename that matches the image context inside your article.

Step 5: Add alt text (short and clear)

Write one sentence that describes the image naturally. If it is a screenshot, say what it shows.

FAQs About Image SEO (Quick Answers)

Do images really help SEO?

Yes. Optimized images improve speed, support content relevance, and can bring traffic from Google Images.

Is WebP better for SEO than JPEG?

WebP is often better because it is smaller at similar quality. Smaller files mean faster pages.

How long should alt text be?

Usually one short sentence is enough. Focus on describing the image, not repeating keywords.

Should I add keywords in file names?

Only if they naturally describe the image. Keep the file name honest and readable.

What is a good image size for blog posts?

Most blog images work well between 80 KB and 200 KB after compression, depending on content type.

Do captions help SEO?

Captions help readers. Better engagement can indirectly support SEO, but captions are optional.

Should I compress screenshots too?

Yes, but carefully. Keep text readable. Compress until it still looks sharp.

How can I compress many images quickly?

Use a bulk solution like Bulk Image Compressor. It saves time when you work on multiple posts.

Does image compression reduce quality?

Good compression reduces size with minimal visible change. Always preview before uploading.

How can I improve image SEO fast today?

Start with your biggest images and compress them first. That gives the quickest speed win.

Conclusion

Image SEO is one of the most underrated ways to grow a blog. It is not complicated, but it requires consistency. When you resize, compress, choose the right format, name files properly, and write natural alt text, you build a faster blog that search engines can understand.

If you want a quick win, start compressing your featured images and your largest blog images today using MyImageCompressor. Then make it a habit for every new post. Over time, that habit becomes a real ranking advantage.