Importance Of Image Filenames & The SEO Mistake You Must Avoid

In a recent Search Off the recorded podcast, Lizzi Sassman and John Mueller discussed the importance of image filenames and at one point raised a major misconception about filenames. Filenames for images are essential for both users and creators to sort and index the information better. The executives Lizzi Sassman & John Mueller explained that the filenames of the images do not help rank the content better, but they are crucial to sorting them.

Filenames and their importance

The Google documentation does not mention if image filenames are considered ranking factors. But Google does take note of them to figure out what the image is about. Because of this, Google recommends meaningful filenames for images.

Additionally, giving meaningful filenames to images is a good practice, as it allows the organization to understand what the image is about and be able to identify it. Google can also determine the image's subject from its filename. For example, my-new-white-dog.jpg is better than IMG00023.JPG.

Whenever you localize your images, remember to translate the file names as well.

The search engine is highly focused on providing users with better filenames and better results. Remember that Google doesn't crawl images very often, and be prepared for renamed images not being indexed for months. It is important to note that changing the filename of already crawled and indexed images has the least benefit, to the point that it would not be noticed.

How image filenames affect SEO

John Mueller raises is how Google crawls images and why it is important to consider this when optimizing images for an existing website. Also, both of them shared their experiences regarding filenames with different users. Their research indicates that a large number of users are not familiar with file names. Also, it would be easier for them if their used either edited alt text around images or covered images with some words so that they know more about the file.

There were at least four insights on image filenames in this segment of Google's podcast.

  • A descriptive image filename is helpful from the perspective of an Image Search, as it allows Google to understand what the image is about.
  • Image alt text and its surrounding text convey a more powerful and important message about an image than its name.
  • Changing the image filename of an already indexed image will have a "minimal effect" and won't make it better.
  • A renamed image may go uncrawled and unindexed for months if the filename is changed.

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