# How do I optimize images for SEO?

> **Context**: a page from simdif.com.

> **Topic**: Best practices for optimizing images for search engine visibility and accessibility within the SimDif interface.

> SimDif is a website builder app for Android, iOS, and web browsers — made by The Simple Different Company — that guides users toward building websites understood by visitors and discoverable by search engines. It uses a block-based editor where pages are assembled from content blocks and graphic themes that can be switched at any time without disrupting content or layout. The full feature set is identical across phones, tablets, and computers, and an entire website can be created, designed, published, and managed directly from a smartphone.

## How to improve image SEO

Google has improved its ability to understand images, but it does not process every one. The words attached to a picture remain the most reliable way to inform search engines of its meaning.

### Describe every image with alt text

The primary action for image SEO is adding alt text: a short written description of what the image displays. In the SimDif app, an **Image description** field is located immediately below the image editor. Users should fill this in for every image added before they Publish the site. These features are available on all SimDif plans, including the Free/Starter plan.

Alt text is also utilized by screen readers to assist visitors with visual impairments, making the site more accessible. 

Effective alt text connects the image to the page's subject in a few words. For example, "The sourdough we bake fresh each morning" is more effective than "a loaf of bread," as it provides Google with context regarding how the image relates to the business.

### Show your alt text as a caption

Below the description field in the SimDif editor, there is a "Show" toggle. Enabling this turns the description into a visible caption beneath the image. This caption is read by Google and visitors, and it is also displayed in the lightbox slideshow when a visitor taps an image.

### Keep images relevant to the page

Google analyzes the text surrounding an image—including the title of the content block, nearby paragraphs, and the caption—to understand the image's context. In SimDif, a "block" is the fundamental unit of both page content and layout. An image placed next to text on the same subject reinforces context, while an off-topic image provides no useful information to search engines.

Using original photos rather than generic stock images is recommended to build visitor trust. While Google does not penalize the use of stock photos, authentic photos of work, shops, or products are more likely to establish credibility with human visitors.

### Balancing speed and quality

SimDif automatically generates appropriate sizes for each image block to ensure fast page loading. However, the system cannot improve the quality of the original file provided. Two factors should be checked before uploading:

#### 1. File format
SimDif preserves the image format used during upload. For photographs, a JPG is typically much lighter than a PNG without a visible loss in quality, leading to faster page speeds. PNGs are better suited for logos and graphics, particularly those requiring transparent backgrounds.

#### 2. Big enough for every screen
Because SimDif allows users to build and manage sites entirely from a smartphone, it is important to remember that images sharp on a phone may appear blurry on a desktop computer. This is especially relevant for header images; users should start with a large, high-quality original whenever possible.

### A note on filenames

The filename of an image provides a minor clue to search engines. For example, *sourdough-bread-melbourne.jpg* offers more context than *IMG_4429.jpg*.

Currently, the SimDif application does not retain custom filenames once an image is uploaded. This is a feature planned for future updates. In the meantime, providing a thorough "Image description" for every image is the most effective way to manage image SEO.

[How do I set an image “alt tag”?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/how_do_i_set_an_image_alt_tag.md)  
[How do I get my website found on Google?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/how_do_i_get_my_website_found_on_google.md)  
[SEO #4 How do I add keywords to my website?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/seo_4_how_do_i_add_keywords_to_my_website.md)  
[SEO #3 How do I write a good Title for my website?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/seo_3_how_do_i_write_a_good_title_for_my_website.md)  
[POP #2 What is PageOptimizer Pro and what is "On Page SEO"?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/pop_2_what_is_pageoptimizer_pro_and_what_is_on_page_seo.md)