If you are reading this article, do you know what Google Image Search is?
Google Image Search is a Google search function that allows you to search for similar images and information using images instead of text.
Google Image Search does not need to be verbalized like a text search, so it can be used in any situation.
This is useful when you have no information other than an image and no means of searching, such as when you want to search for an object whose name you cannot remember.
Even if you have heard the term Google Image Search once, I think that there are many people who are in trouble because they do not know the details.
Therefore, this time, I will clarify the definition and peripheral knowledge of Google image search under the title of “Is Google image search related to SEO measures ?”
On top of that, I will introduce the method of Google image search and Google image search for SEO measures.
What is Google Image Search
Google Image Search is a Google search function that allows you to search for similar images and information using images instead of text.
What is actually displayed in the search results are similar images, the same image, websites where similar images are posted, search results for objects in images, etc.
Google Image Search can be used by accessing the chrome app or Google app on your smartphone (iPhone or Android), or by accessing image.google.com on your PC browser.
In the first place, Google is a crawler that crawls on the Internet and displays search results and analysis results based on the collected information.
What is a crawler?
In addition, the crawler mentioned here is “an automatic crawling program that periodically collects all kinds of information on websites on the Internet and creates database indexes for searches.”
Crawlers use the information they collect to determine which websites to rank higher in search engines.
Also known as bots, spiders, and robots.
Originally, it is a derivative of the English word “crawl”, which means “to crawl”.
By the way, 90% of Japanese search engines are operated by Googlebot. As such, it holds the majority of the market share.
In this way, crawlers roam the Internet, recording and classifying analyzed websites as a database.
A series of steps from patrol to analysis are reflected in the search results.
Google image search method
Now that we know what Google Image Search is, let’s take a look at how to use Google Image Search for smartphones and PCs.
How to do a Google image search on your smartphone
On smartphones, use the Chrome app or the Google app to search.
However, in the case of iPhone, please note that image search cannot be used in safari. There are four main ways to search Google Images on your smartphone.
Search based on images in the search results
First, use the Google app or access image.google.com and enter the keyword of the image you want to search for.
Tap an image from the search results, then tap the Search This Image icon in the upper right. Then, similar images and related search results will be displayed.
Search from images on the web
Press and hold the image you want to search on the website and tap “Search Google for this image (chrome app)”. (In the Google app, “Search with the Google app” is displayed.)
Searching from images saved on the device (Google app)
If you want to search using images saved in the camera roll of your smartphone, use Google Lens, which is one of the functions implemented in the Google app.
You must download the app in advance. The procedure is as follows. First, launch the Google app.
Next, tap the camera mark icon located on the right side of the search window, then tap the icon to the left of the shutter button.
If you select the image you want to search from the list of images saved on your device, the image will be loaded and similar images will be displayed.
Search for the image you want to shoot using the camera function of your smartphone (Google app)
Launch the Google app and tap the camera mark icon located on the right side of the search window.
Next, select a category (search, translation, text, homework, shopping, shops and spots, meals) from the selection tab at the bottom of the app.
After selecting the category, copy the object in the white frame. Press the shutter button to complete the automatic search.
It is excellent in that it can be searched in real-time. It is useful when you do not know the name of the object in front of you and want to know it.
Google Image Search For PC
Next, we will introduce how to search Google Images on a PC.
There are four main ways to search Google Images on your PC.
Search based on images in the search results
First, go to image.google.com. Enter the keyword of the image you want to search for.
When the search results are displayed, click on one of the images, then click “Search for this image” in the upper right.
Search from images on the web
First, right-click on the image you want to search for on the web.
Next, click “Search Google for images” to complete the automatic search.
Upload an image and search
First, go to image.google.com. Next, tap the camera mark icon on the right side of the search bar, click “Upload image” and “Select file” in order to search for images.
Search from image URL
First, go to image.google.com, then tap the camera icon on the right side of the search bar.
Up to this point, the flow is the same as the method for uploading images and searching. Select the “Paste image URL” tab, enter the image URL and click “Search by image”.
Google Image Search for SEO
It is not known unexpectedly, but in fact, images are also SEO measures.
This is because having images on your website makes it easier for users and search engines to understand the content of your page or site.
In the first place, Google highly evaluates websites that prioritize user convenience when determining search rankings.
This means that images are also taken into consideration in determining search results. On top of that, the 5 points for image SEO measures are as follows.
Use original image
In SEO, original images are generally valued more highly for their uniqueness than free images.
This is also clearly recommended by Google’s guidelines.
Place the image in a relevant place with the text
Try to place it in a way that complements the content of the text or provides a clear image.
On the other hand, if the text and images are placed far apart, it will be difficult to convey the information that the company wants to provide to the reader.
Also, Google’s guidelines recommend that important pages should be placed at the top of the page.
Make image filenames more descriptive
Descriptive image filenames help Google determine your theme.
For example, if it is an original image of a laptop computer, it is better to use a file name that is easy to understand at a glance, such as “Laptop-computer”, rather than a difficult-to-understand file name such as “IMG00135.jpg”.
Optimize image quality and size
Generally, the standard image quality for images placed on a page is 1000px in width and 100 to 200kb in file size.
If the file size of the image is too small, it cannot be read, and if it is too large, it will be heavy.
The image format “WebP” developed by Google is useful there.
If you use it, you can reduce the weight while maintaining the image quality, not just background transparency like PNG and GIF.
Set alt attribute
By setting the alt attribute, you can display alternative text when the image is not displayed on the page for some reason.
The alt attribute referred to here means “something used to specify alternative text when an image cannot be displayed for some reason, such as unstable communication”.
Alternate text set with the alt attribute is read aloud by voice browsers and screen readers.
In the img element of the HTML tag, describe as follows.
〈img scr=“Describe the path of the image such as /img.png” alt=”Enter text instead of the image”/〉
The term alt attribute originally came from “alternative text” and is read as “alt attribute”.
The W3C (an international non-profit organization that promotes standardization of technologies used on the Web) has the following definitions.
“When posting an image on a website, specify what the image represents in the alt attribute. set.”
In this way, the alt attribute is utilized as web accessibility support for text alternatives for non-text content, especially for the elderly and visually impaired.
By writing it correctly, you can not only convey the information of the content appropriately but also convey the information of the image to search engine crawlers and bring about SEO effects.
If you want to do both web accessibility support and SEO measures, let’s set the alternative text of the image with the alt attribute.
Summary
This time, titled “Is Google Image Search Related to SEO Measures? ” How was it?
Google Image Search does not need to be verbalized like a text search, so it can be used in any situation. This is useful when you want to look up an object whose name you cannot remember.
Google Image Search is a Google search function that allows you to search for similar images and information using images instead of text.
Since the operation method is different for smartphones and PCs, let’s remember the operation flow for each.
In addition, as a point for image SEO measures,
- Use of original images
- Placement of images in relevant places with text
- Simplification of image file names
- Optimize image quality and size
- Set alt attribute
5 are listed.
If you take these image SEO measures, you can expect your website to rank higher in search results and be displayed higher.
If you haven’t used Google Image Search yet, why not take advantage of this opportunity?
