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So many photos … so little time! SEO and images.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Search engine optimization is not a static science, but rather, it is a dynamic art. The rules of the game have changed over the years and a lot of old content is not up to current SEO standards.

Blue ribbons on an orange background.Over the last few weeks I have been updating a lot of the photos on my websites and have found the task to be a lot more daunting than I anticipated.

There are just too many things that need to be changed, and I have to adopted the proverbial attitude towards eating an elephant … one bite at a time.

My number one goal is to properly describe the photos so they can be returned during image searches.

I have thousands of images online. One week into my efforts, I have updated about 5% of them. As I said, this isn’t going to be easy. But it is necessary if I want my pictures to be seen instead of just being stored!

The actual description, alternative text, and title of a photo should be permutations of your desired search terms. They need to be slightly different and very specific. And it should be done correctly from the git-go.

It’s a lot of work, but the results can be astounding.

And it’s a great way to get your content noticed!

Comments (63)

Susan Gaieski
Water Pointe Realty Group - Jupiter, FL
Director for Social Media & Technology

Richard - never thought about that.  This is why the ActiveRain Networking between us professionals sharing information is so important to me.  Thanks for bringing this to the head of the line. 

Aug 02, 2011 08:09 AM
Hans J. Schindhelm
HJS Web Design - New York, Westchester, Putnam & Rockland - Tarrytown, NY
Realty Marketing, Web Site Designer & Virtual Assistant

Richard... great move... if done right you'll reap the benefits... don't give up and don't rush it... one bite at a time will do... LOL...

Aug 02, 2011 08:44 AM
David Farrell
David V. Farrell Co. - Garden City, NY
Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker

Thanks for posting.  I think the picture is very nice.  I will keep your ideas in mind.

Aug 02, 2011 10:02 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Richard,  I a big fan of your photographic work.  That said, I think the takeaway idea is that SEO is hard work and will always be a work in process.

Aug 02, 2011 10:48 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

You always share very valuable information with all of us.  Thanks!  It is appreciated.

Aug 02, 2011 11:08 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Richard...I am playikng catchup onthe internet scene and I am finding it takes a lot of work

Aug 02, 2011 02:20 PM
Donald Reich
Madison Specs - New Rochelle, NY
Cost Segregation Specialist

Images are not only good for SEO, but they are also great to keep your website visitors interested in what you have to offer!

Aug 02, 2011 02:35 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

@erica...

Changed pages are usually reindexed, though mot as quickly as brand new pages.

Aug 02, 2011 03:50 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Richard - I have no doubt that this a lot of work. At the same time, the result should be terrific.

Aug 02, 2011 04:21 PM
Doug Anderson
Tucker Associates Real Estate Services - Danville, CA
Bay Area Real Estate Views

I am just starting to work on this as well Richard and if you are following your stats you get to see the results in the image search info.

Aug 02, 2011 04:56 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Richard, so many people fail to grasp that Search Engines generally do not "see" images.   Search Engines primarily read Text (descriptions, titles, tags, labels).  

 

Good for you, for bringing all of your images up to date.    Wishing you strength for the Journey!

Aug 02, 2011 05:03 PM
Gloria Johnpierre
Siven Premier Real Estate, Inc - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Broker- Selling Tampa Bay Homes

Thanks for the info. I found it really helpful

Aug 02, 2011 05:08 PM
James Sanson
REAL Broker, LLC - Tempe, AZ
REALTOR®

I really like the idea you are developing or sharing here.

Aug 02, 2011 08:01 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

The actual description, alternative text, and title of a photo should be permutations of your desired search terms. They need to be slightly different and very specific. And it should be done correctly from the git-go.

So how do they need to be slightly different and very specific?

Aug 03, 2011 03:49 AM
Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

Richard - I appreciate your comments and have learned a lot from this blog!  I always try and use my own photos.  My husband shot professionally and he has been a fanatic about using original photos.  I really haven't been labeling them correctly and I'll need to work on that! 

Thank again!

Aug 04, 2011 03:25 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Richard - I have to get better at the description and title on my photo.  What does Alternative Text mean?  Why is it needed?  Thanks.

Aug 04, 2011 03:33 AM
Paul Franciskato
Asset Brokering Services - Junction City, KS

The task of building one's presence (effectively) on the web is never-ending!  As you suggest, it is much like eating an elephant one bite at a time!

Aug 04, 2011 06:04 AM
Amy Bly
Great Impressions Home Staging/Interiors - Montville, NJ
Styling Homes for Selling and Staying

Geez, Richard, I need Photo Labeling/SEO 101. Does AR offer a class on this subject? I really don't understand how to "label" photos, and I often don't do that here in the Rain. I do put captions on many of my before and after staging photos on my website -- does that even matter for SEO? 

HELP! I read your 2nd post (which is how I found this one), and still am in the dark. Any direction to a basic text of how to do this stuff would be very appreciated!

Aug 04, 2011 03:43 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Wow never even thought about adding my website to it.  Shheessh I need to catch up!  Thanks Richard!

Aug 06, 2011 09:05 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I upload my images only to my post. But i probably need to add more description to each of them. I also , added a copy rights information to my camera settings. 

Apr 16, 2017 08:27 PM