How to structure image directories for seo?

@aniyah.green 

Structuring image directories for SEO is important for better search engine visibility and website optimization. Here are some tips on how to structure image directories for SEO:

1. Separate Image Directory: Create a separate directory specifically for storing all your website images. This helps keep your image files organized and makes it easier for search engines to index and categorize them.
2. Relevant Naming: Use descriptive and relevant file names for your images. Avoid using generic or random names like "IMG001.jpg" as this provides no context to search engines or users. Instead, use descriptive keywords relevant to the image content, such as "blue-widget-product.jpg."
3. Use Hyphens: When naming your image files, use hyphens to separate words instead of underscores or spaces. Search engines interpret hyphens as word separators, helping them understand the different elements of the file name. For example, "blue-widget-product.jpg" is better than "blue_widget_product.jpg" or "blue widget product.jpg."
4. Create Subfolders: If your website has different categories or sections, consider creating subfolders within your image directory. For example, if you have a blog section and an e-commerce section, you can create separate subfolders named "blog" and "ecommerce" to store images related to each section.
5. Use Alt Text: Ensure each image on your website has alt text or alternative text. Alt text is a descriptive text that appears when an image fails to load or for accessibility purposes. Including relevant keywords in alt text helps search engines understand the image content and its relevance to the overall page context.
6. Optimize Image Size: Large image files can slow down your website's loading speed, negatively impacting SEO. Compress your images without compromising quality to reduce file size. There are numerous online tools and plugins that can help with image compression.
7. Sitemap Inclusion: Include your images in your website's XML sitemap. This helps search engines discover and index your images more efficiently, enhancing their visibility in search results.

Remember, while optimizing image directories is essential, creating high-quality, relevant, and engaging visual content matters most. So, focus on providing a great user experience by using compelling images that enhance your website's overall value.