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On-Page SEO: Make Your Site Shine with Images & Videos

On-Page SEO: Make Your Site Shine with Images & Videos

by | Mar 19, 2025 | Digital Marketing, Pro Tips, SEO

How to Optimize Images & Videos for SEO?

You know how a picture is worth a thousand words?
Well, on your website, cool images and videos are like super-powered words that grab people’s attention.
But did you know that making these visuals SEO-friendly is like giving your website a secret boost in Google’s rankings, and is crucial for your site’s on-page SEO?
Let’s dive into how to make your images work their magic, with clear instructions, examples, and tools for recommendation!

Image Optimization: Picture Perfect SEO

How can I ensure my images and videos are SEO-Friendly?

Think of your website images as more than just pretty decorations. They help tell your story and keep people interested. Plus, Google is getting really good at “seeing” what’s in your pictures, so optimizing them is a big win for your SEO game.

  • Use Original Images
    Think of it this way: unique images are like a special handshake with search engines. Custom photos and graphics show you’ve put in the effort, and they tend to perform better than generic stock photos.
  • Compress Images Before Upload
    Nobody likes a slow website! Large image files can really bog things down.
    Before uploading, use tools like tinyPNG or Canva to compress your images. This shrinks the file size without sacrificing much quality, keeping your pages snappy.
    I’ve been using a free tool for image editing and resizing for many years. It’s call Paint.NET. It’s only available for Windows computers and it requires a little technical skill to use. However, you can find tones of tools online that can perform simple image resizing and compression, like the ones in the screenshot below.
    As you can see, I updated the width, height, and resolution, and saved the screenshot as WebP format before uploading it to this web page.
Resizing a Screenshot with Image Compression Tools
Resizing a Screenshot with Image Compression Tools
  • Choose the Correct Image Format
    Think of image formats like different tools in your toolbox.
    • JPEG: Great for photos with lots of colors.
    • PNG: Perfect for images with transparent backgrounds or sharp lines, like logos.
    • WebP: This is the modern superstar, offering excellent compression and quality. If your site supports it, use it!
  • Add Alt Text
    Alt text is like a description for your images. It helps visually impaired users and also gives search engines clues about what your pictures are about. Be descriptive and include relevant keywords.
    For example, instead of “image1.jpg” or “1234.png”, use “on-page-seo-chart.png” with an alt text of “On-page SEO optimization chart showing keyword placements”.
    Alt text can improve web accessibility for screen readers as well.
  • Optimize Filenames
    Using descriptive, keyword rich filenames helps search engines understand what the image is showing.
    Fox example, Instead of “DSC001.jpg” use “red-vintage-convertible-car.jpg”
    Below is a screenshot of me optimizing the Title, Alt Text, Caption, and Description for the said screenshot, after I uploaded it to the WordPress Media Library.
Alt Text Edit on WordPress
  • Implement Lazy Loading
    Last but not least, this is a clever trick! Lazy loading means images only load when they’re about to appear on the user’s screen. This speeds up initial page load times, making your site feel much faster.
    This is usually a setting provided by your website builder or plugins.

Video Optimization: Lights, Camera, SEO Best Practices

  • Host on YouTube or a Similar Platform, Then Embed
    Before we dive into the details, let’s address a fundamental best practice: Host your videos on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia, and then embed them on your website.
    This approach saves significant server memory and drastically improves page load times, leading to a much better user experience and SEO performance. Trying to host large video files directly on your server can seriously slow down your website.
    Additionally, now you have published your video to two platforms – YouTube and your website – which maximizes the visibility, traffic, and engagement for your video.
  • Conduct Keyword Research
    Just like with written content, keyword research is essential for videos. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find what people are searching for.
    Read on: SEO Top Priority: Master Keyword Research
  • Optimize Titles and Descriptions
    Create catchy, keyword-rich titles (under 60 characters) and detailed descriptions (200-300 words). This helps search engines understand your video’s content.
  • Create Engaging Thumbnails
    Your thumbnail is like a movie poster! Make it eye-catching and representative of your video’s content.
  • Add Transcriptions and Closed Captions
    This improves accessibility and provides extra text for search engines to index. It’s a win-win!
  • Optimize Video File Names and Formats
    Use keyword-rich file names and stick to widely supported formats like MP4 or WebM.

General Best Practices for All Your Media

Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind for all your images and videos, making everything run smoothly at all times for your online presence.

  • Happy Website Vitals: Google cares about how fast and smoothly your website runs. Making sure your images and videos load quickly is a big part of this.
  • Use Those New Formats: Like we said, WebP is pretty cool for images, so give it a try if you can!
  • Load Important Stuff First: If you have a really important image at the top of your page, you can tell the browser to load it first so people see it right away. Turn on the Lazy Loading setting we mentioned above.
  • Make it Mobile-Friendly: More and more people are using their phones, so make sure all your images and videos look great on smaller screens too!
  • Keep an Eye on Things: Use tools like Google Analytics to see how your website is doing and if your images are loading okay.
    Ref: Master Your Website Traffic & Audience With Google Analytics GA4

BONUS: SEO for YouTube Videos

If you’ve already had a YouTube channel, implement the strategies below. This can significantly improve your YouTube video’s SEO performance and increase your chances of ranking higher in both YouTube and Google search results.

  • Title Optimization
    • Include your target keyword in the title, preferably near the beginning.
    • Make titles catchy and attention-grabbing, aiming for 5-8 words.
    • Use numbers, emotional words, or phrases to boost click-through rate (CTR).
  • Description Optimization
    • Write detailed descriptions of at least 250 words.
    • Include your target keyword in the first 25 words and 2-4 times throughout.
    • Add timestamps, hashtags, and relevant links.
  • Keyword Research and Usage
  • Video Content Optimization
    • Mention your target keyword in the video content itself.
    • Create high-quality, engaging content that keeps viewers watching.
      Add closed captions and transcripts to improve accessibility and SEO.
  • Thumbnail and Metadata
    • Design eye-catching, high-quality thumbnails that accurately represent the content.
    • Optimize video file names with descriptive, keyword-rich titles.
    • Use relevant tags to help YouTube understand your video’s topic and context.
  • Engagement and Performance
    • Focus on metrics like watch time, CTR, and audience retention.
    • Use cards and end screens to promote other relevant videos.
    • Encourage likes, comments, and subscriptions to boost engagement signals

Below is an example of a video with Title and Descriptions I’ve uploaded to YouTube that has received over 10 million views.

Youtube Video Title and Description Optimization for SEO

Wrapping Up: Awesome Visuals, Awesome SEO!

Optimizing your images and videos might seem like a bunch of little things, but they really add up to make a big difference for your website’s SEO. By following these professional tips, you can make your site look fantastic, load quickly, and get noticed by Google.

So go ahead, make your visuals shine!

Need personalized SEO support? Contact LinearTech today for professional SEO audits, consulting, and coaching. We’re here to help you achieve online success!