What are the best practices for optimizing images and videos for SEO?

1 Choose the right format

Not all image and video formats are created equal. Some are more suitable for certain types of content, while others offer better compression, quality, or compatibility. For images, you should use JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics, and SVG for icons and logos. For videos, you should use MP4 for most cases, as it is widely supported and offers good quality and compression. Avoid using formats that are outdated, proprietary, or require plugins, such as GIF, FLV, or WMV.

2 Reduce the file size

The larger the file size of your images and videos, the longer it will take to load them on your site. This can negatively impact your site's speed, which is a crucial factor for SEO and user satisfaction. To reduce the file size of your images and videos, you should use tools like Photoshop, GIMP, or TinyPNG for images, and Handbrake, VLC, or FFmpeg for videos. You should also use the optimal resolution, dimensions, and quality settings for your images and videos, depending on your site's layout and purpose.

4 Use responsive design

Responsive design is the practice of making your site adapt to different screen sizes and devices, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Responsive design improves your site's user experience, as it ensures that your images and videos are displayed properly and proportionally on any device. Responsive design also improves your site's SEO, as it helps search engines crawl and index your site more efficiently, and avoids duplicate content issues. To use responsive design for your images and videos, you should use CSS properties like max-width, height, and srcset, or use plugins or frameworks that offer responsive features.

5 Implement lazy loading

Lazy loading is the technique of loading your images and videos only when they are in or near the user's viewport, instead of loading them all at once when the page loads. Lazy loading improves your site's speed, as it reduces the initial loading time and bandwidth consumption. Lazy loading also improves your site's user experience, as it prevents unnecessary scrolling and loading of images and videos that the user may not see or interact with. To implement lazy loading for your images and videos, you can use HTML attributes like loading="lazy", or use plugins or libraries that offer lazy loading functionality.

6 Test and measure

The final step of optimizing your images and videos for SEO is to test and measure the results of your optimization efforts. You should use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, or GTmetrix to test your site's speed, performance, and SEO score, and identify any issues or areas for improvement. You should also use tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, or Bing Webmaster Tools to measure your site's traffic, engagement, and ranking, and see how your images and videos affect your SEO goals and metrics.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?