Does Google 'read' Images? [SEO Query]

[Alexander301]

Hi,
As we know, AI models can process images and interpret what is present in the image.

Do we know if google's doing something for images in a blog post? So check if the image is relevant to the content around it.

So for example, if I have two identical posts of say on dog breeds, one with correct dog images below each heading. The other identical post has random cat pics. Would it be interpreted differently by google's algorithms?

Also if what's in the image affects SEO, then any ways to optimize the image content for SEO?

 

[Exeteldor]

It Does

 

[roydan]

Google reads images for years. I remember an experiment from 10+ years ago where someone uploaded a text based image to a content-less page and waited a couple of days, then saw the image ranking on Google images for the text that was on the image.

I can't remember where it was published, but I'm 100% sure I saw it.

 

[Alexander301]

Google reads images for years. I remember an experiment from 10+ years ago where someone uploaded a text based image to a content-less page and waited a couple of days, then saw the image ranking on Google images for the text that was on the image.

I can't remember where it was published, but I'm 100% sure I saw it.

So similar to internal links where you need to have relevant content around the link, we'd need relevant content around an image (or relevant image around the content).

Do you know if any factors such as the style of the image or other image parameters that can have a good/bad impact?

 

[roydan]

So similar to internal links where you need to have relevant content around the link, we'd need relevant content around an image (or relevant image around the content).

The exact opposite. Google can read an image without any context. They read the image itself.

Do you know if any factors such as the style of the image or other image parameters that can have a good/bad impact?

Good or bad impact on what? Their ability to understand an image?

 

[Alexander301]

The exact opposite. Google can read an image without any context. They read the image itself.

Good or bad impact on what? Their ability to understand an image?

Impact on the SEO based on what's in the image, how relevant it is to surrounding content, and if the stylistic factors of the image play a role.

 

[lienhevkt]

Yes, Google analyzes image content and its relation to surrounding text to determine webpage relevance and ranking.

 

[UrbanSnake]

Yes, Google is capable of automatically identify and differentiate if you are posting eggplant photos or +18 photos

 

[roydan]

Impact on the SEO based on what's in the image, how relevant it is to surrounding content, and if the stylistic factors of the image play a role.

I assume that the more relevant an image is to the surrounding content the better, but this wasn't a part of the original test. It was with a blank page.

 

[MajorSal]

I was searching for my own name on Google and saw a music album cover image I created for someone over 15+ years ago that just recently started displaying for my exact name. There was no mention of my name on the actual web page, no mention of my name on the exif data.

It was not until I properly looked at the image did I see my name written in the smallest unreadable grunge font "Artwork by: name". It was soo unreadable that I am surprised Google extracted that data.

Why they decided to start showing that image recently who knows but since then I have tested some blog post hero images with text in various forms and can confirm they have ranked top positions in image searches for that niche.

 

[scopegranites13]

Yes, Google "reads" images using advanced algorithms like Google Vision AI and machine learning. To determine the relevance of an image, it analyzes its content, alt text, file names, and surrounding text. By optimizing images with descriptive filenames, alt tags, structured data, and compressed formats, you will improve your search engine rankings, helping you rank in Google Image Search and improving overall page rankings.

 

[sorairo]

Yes, Google AI can analyze images and potentially influence search rankings.

 

[Muhammad Ayaz]

Yes, Google can "read" images to some extent, but not in the same way humans do. Google uses image recognition technology and other factors to understand and index images. However, it relies on additional elements like alt text, file names, and surrounding content to interpret and categorize images accurately.

 

[Olivertwistt]

It could understand

 

[Big SEO]

Of course, Yes. Google’s algorithms can differentiate between relevant and irrelevant images in terms of image recognition whether it aligns with the surrounding text, the possibility of a high bounce rate leads to low relevance.
I could give some suggestions like using a particular image that matches the topic which is also better than stock photos. Instead of using img1.jpg try, "Labrador is enjoying the beach", try to implement (ImageObject)schema which makes Google understand the image better, to prevent unnecessary load times use loading="lazy", and make sure your images are clear and tagged to appear in search results..

Google does consider image relevance, and it can also impact SEO both directly and indirectly. If your blog post uses the wrong images like cats in a dog article, it could harm rankings due to AI-based analysis and user behavior metrics.
Hope this might help.

 

[1SEOWarrior]

It might process image but we are always told that you have to use alt tag to let google better understand what's inside the image.

Only google can give a clear defination on this.

According to my experience. yes they could.

 

[laur.laurix]

I was searching for my own name on Google and saw a music album cover image I created for someone over 15+ years ago that just recently started displaying for my exact name. There was no mention of my name on the actual web page, no mention of my name on the exif data.

It was not until I properly looked at the image did I see my name written in the smallest unreadable grunge font "Artwork by: name". It was soo unreadable that I am surprised Google extracted that data.

Why they decided to start showing that image recently who knows but since then I have tested some blog post hero images with text in various forms and can confirm they have ranked top positions in image searches for that niche.

G "reads" images at pixel level.....if you can see it G is blinded by it.

 

[Emrhnnn55]

I think Google has really started to "read" images now not just relying on alt text but actually understanding what’s in the image. Using irrelevant images might hurt the page’s context, so having visuals that match the content, along with proper file names, alt text, and surrounding text, is becoming more important for SEO.