As a digital marketer, it’s important to understand the impact of images on an SEO strategy. Images are more than just visual stimuli; they can also carry a lot of weight in search engine optimization efforts.
Recent studies have revealed the importance of image SEO and its benefits, so understanding these image SEO statistics can help you optimize your website content for maximum visibility.
Today, I will take a look at some key image SEO stats that every marketer should be aware of. Also, provides some insight on how these statistics are important in marketing strategy and planning.
Image SEO Statistics: Key Stats
- Over 20% of all U.S. web searches happen on Google Images
- Images are returned for 27.9% of search queries on Google
- Google Image searches account for 22.6% of all searches
- 63% of users who click on images from Google image searches ultimately visit the website where the image originated
- Updating and republishing old blog posts with new content and images can increase organic traffic by as much as 106%.
- 12% of searches in web search show an image pack or image carousel
Source: (SparkToro, Moz, First Site Guide, BRAFTON, HubSpot, FatRank.)
#1. One in Five U.S. Web Searches Occur on Google Images
Source: SparkToro
Significance of the Data: Very High
Mentioned By: Search Engine Journal, First Site Guide, Oberlo, Web Site Rating, Moz, Hubspot, Earth Web, Backlinko and more.
| What does the data Suggest | Justification |
|---|---|
| Visual-centric marketing strategies are crucial | With over 20% of U.S. web searches on Google Images, visual appeal and optimization of marketing content can drive higher brand visibility and engagement. |
| SEO strategies must incorporate image optimization | SEO isn’t just about text. Image search prominence suggests investing in image SEO can enhance the online visibility and discoverability of a brand. |
| Potential for unconventional advertising platforms | Given the volume of image searches, marketers can explore advertising opportunities on Google Images, opening new avenues for customer engagement. |
#2. Google’s Image Search Contributes to 27.9% of Total Query Returns
Source: Moz
Significance of the Data: High
Mentioned By: G2, IMPACT, search engine journal, LinkedIn, social media today and more.
| What does the data Suggest | Justification |
|---|---|
| Image-centric approach in content | The considerable return of images in Google searches reveals the importance of visual content. Engaging, relevant images can improve SEO and direct more organic traffic towards a brand’s site. |
| Need for image optimization | Nearly 28% image search results suggest marketers need to focus on image optimization. Ensuring images are high-quality, relevant, and properly tagged can improve visibility and user engagement. |
| Enhanced visual product marketing | Images playing a significant role in search results underlines the need for visually appealing product displays. This could lead to more interactions and potential conversions. |
#3. Google Image Searches Make Up Over a Fifth of All Searches
Source: First Site Guide
Significance of the Data: High
Mentioned By: Semrush, Search Engine Watch, Dev Hub, SE Ranking, Surfer SEO, Digital Web Solutions, Growth Natives, Psmapgh and more.
| What does the data suggest | Justification |
|---|---|
| Image-based SEO needs prioritization | A substantial portion of all searches are image-based, underscoring the need to invest in image optimization. |
| Visual content is increasingly crucial | The data suggests users are drawn to visual information, implying visually appealing marketing strategies will yield better results. |
| Leveraging image ads for visibility | The prominence of image searches indicates the potential for increased visibility through image-based advertising. |
#4. 63% of Google Image Search Clickers Land on Original Websites, Boosting Traffic
Source: BRAFTON
Significance of the Data: Very High
Mentioned By: Sweor, Sprout Social, Hubspot, News Xtend and more.
| What does the data Suggest | Justification |
|---|---|
| Importance of Image SEO | The significant percentage of users visiting originating websites underscores the critical role of image SEO in directing organic traffic. |
| Need for Quality Visual Content | The high click-through rate suggests that captivating and relevant images can enhance user engagement and conversion rates. |
| Potential for Increased Site Traffic | Leveraging Google image searches can strategically increase site visitation, improving brand visibility and potential customer acquisition. |
#5. Revamping Old Blog Posts with Fresh Content, Images Boosts Organic Traffic
Source: HubSpot
Significance of the Data: Very High
Mentioned By: Backlinko, Neil Patel, DevriX, Ahrefs, Niteco, Portent, Seo Quake and more.
| What does the data suggest | Justification |
|---|---|
| Renewal of old blog posts is crucial | Updating old content keeps it fresh and relevant, capturing a wider audience, leading to a possible surge in organic traffic. |
| Visual elements significantly boost traffic | Incorporating images into republished blogs can increase user engagement, enhancing SEO rankings and organic traffic. |
| Regular content updating should be strategic | Strategically updating and republishing blogs can optimize search engine visibility, thereby multiplying organic traffic. |
#6. 12% Now Showcase Image Packs or Carousels
Source: FatRank
Significance of the Data: Medium
Mentioned By: search engine journal, backlinko, Medium and more.
| What does the data Suggest | Justification |
|---|---|
| Visual content is influential | With 12% of web searches showing image packs or carousels, it indicates a considerable engagement with visual content. Brands must prioritize quality visual content in their marketing strategies. |
| Images enhance SEO effectiveness | Images appearing in search results highlight the SEO impact of optimized visual content. Businesses should invest in image SEO to increase visibility and reach. |
| Potential for image advertising | The data suggests users often interact with images during web searches. This offers a significant potential for image-based advertising, increasing chances for brand exposure and engagement. |
