How to Optimize Your Photos for Google (Names, Sizes, and Alt Text That Actually Work)
A quick guide for businesses: how to name your photos, set alt text, and compress images so they load fast and help your site rank in local Google searches.
How to Optimize Your Photos for Google
If you run a business in Charlotte and you've ever wondered why competitors rank higher than you despite having worse photos — the answer is often metadata. Your images need to be optimized, not just good-looking.
File Naming
Never upload a file named IMG_4821.jpg. Google can't read that. Instead, name your files descriptively: wedding-photographer-charlotte-nc.jpg or quinceanera-portrait-concord-nc.jpg. Use hyphens, not underscores, and include your target keyword and location.
Alt Text
Alt text is the text description browsers show when an image doesn't load and that screen readers use for accessibility. It's also indexed by Google. Write it as a plain description: Alt: "Bride and groom first look at The Westin Charlotte" — not keyword-stuffed, just accurate.
Compression
Large images slow your site down, and page speed is a direct ranking factor. Target under 200KB for web images. Tools like Squoosh (free, browser-based) let you compress without visible quality loss. Aim for WebP format when your site supports it.
Responsive Sizing
Use the HTML srcset attribute or your CMS's built-in responsive image handling. Google's mobile-first indexing means your mobile image load time matters as much as desktop.
Location-Specific Metadata
For local businesses, embed location data in your image EXIF data where possible. At minimum, your image file names and alt text should reference specific Charlotte neighborhoods, venues, or nearby cities when accurate.
Optimized images won't replace great photography — but great photography that's badly optimized leaves free search traffic on the table.