How to optimize images in Shopify for SEO?

@terrence 

Optimizing images for SEO in Shopify involves a combination of techniques to improve the loading speed and search engine ranking of your site. Here’s a guide to help you get started:

1. Image File Naming: Use descriptive and relevant file names for your images that include keywords. For example, instead of “IMG_1234.jpg,” use “blue-cotton-t-shirt.jpg.”
2. Image Alt Text: Provide descriptive alt text for each image to help search engines understand the content. Include keywords naturally, but don’t overstuff. Keep the text concise and relevant to the image.
3. Image File Size and Format: Compress images to reduce their file size without compromising quality. Tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim can help with this. Use appropriate file formats: JPEG for photographs, PNG for graphics with transparencies, and SVG for scalable vector images.
4. Responsive Images: Implement responsive images using Shopify’s built-in responsive image capabilities to ensure images display correctly on all device sizes without unnecessary loading.
5. Lazy Loading: Use lazy loading to delay the loading of images that are not immediately visible on the screen. Shopify themes often support lazy loading or can be customized to add this feature.
6. Image Dimensions: Specify image dimensions in the HTML or CSS to prevent layout shifts and improve loading efficiency. This helps the browser allocate the correct amount of space while the image is loading.
7. Use Image Sitemaps: Create and submit an image sitemap to help search engines discover your images. Shopify automatically generates a sitemap, but you can manually edit it or create additional sitemaps specifically for images if needed.
8. Context and Relevance: Ensure images are relevant to the surrounding text content and add value to the page. Use images to complement descriptions, blog posts, and product pages.
9. Structured Data: Implement structured data markup for your product images. This helps search engines understand the context and improves the chances of your images appearing in rich results.
10. Regular Updates: Regularly update and audit your image galleries and product pages for current best practices in SEO and user experience.

By following these practices, you can improve your Shopify store’s image SEO, which contributes to better page loading times, enhanced user experience, and potentially higher rankings in search engine results.