Don’t skip on renaming your images, it is one of the best way’s to boost the SEO on your website. Here’s why:

1. Improves Image Search Visibility

Search engines like Google can’t “see” images; they rely on the file names and alt text to understand what the image is about. Renaming your images with descriptive, keyword-rich names (“modern-tented-wedding.jpg” instead of “IMG_1234.jpg”) helps your images appear in relevant image search results.

2. Contributes to Overall SEO Ranking

When images are properly named and optimized, they contribute to the overall SEO health of your website. This helps search engines better understand the content and context of your page, which helps to boost your page ranking in search results.

3. Enhances User Experience

When someone hovers over an image or the image doesn’t load, the file name (along with alt text) can provide context. Using descriptive names improves accessibility and user experience, which is also a ranking factor for SEO.

4. Boosts Local SEO for Creatives

If you’re a creative business owner targeting a local audience, using location-based keywords in your image names (“chicago-wedding-photographer.jpg”) can help boost local SEO. This means potential clients in your area are more likely to find your services.

5. Helps with Social Media and Sharing

When images are shared on social media or other websites, properly named images can carry over the keywords and context, further boosting SEO and brand recognition across different platforms.

6. Provides Context to Search Engines

For creatives who rely heavily on visual content, naming images helps search engines understand the themes, topics, and style of your work. This is especially important for niche creatives where specific styles matter.

Best Practices for Renaming Images for SEO:

• Use descriptive, relevant keywords related to the image and do keyword research.
• Separate words with hyphens (creative-website-design.jpg”).
• Keep the file name concise but informative (4-5 words is ideal).
• Avoid keyword stuffing; keep it natural and relevant to the image content.
• Rename the images on your website pages and in your portfolios. 

Renaming your images isn’t just a small detail—it’s a powerful SEO tactic that can help creative business owners stand out in a crowded digital landscape. It’s a simple yet effective way to improve your visibility, attract the right audience, and boost your site’s overall SEO performance.

If you need help, we can learn together. Come take a 1:1 class with me and I can save you all the time by teaching you keyword research, what keywords to use in your images, and all the best practices. 

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