Can Adding More Pictures Increase SEO?(Friendly Guide for Bloggers)

If you’re a blogger like me, you’ve probably had this thought at some point:

“Will adding more pictures help my blog rank better on Google?”

I had the same question when I started writing long-form articles for my clients. Over time after testing different formats, running experiments, checking analytics, and understanding how Google’s ranking systems work I realised something very important:

Yes, adding pictures can improve SEO. But only when you add them the right way.
Just uploading more images doesn’t guarantee anything.

In this article, I’ll explain everything in the simplest way possible.
No jargon. No confusing terms. Just a clear, friendly guide based on what actually works for modern SEO + user experience + AEO.

Let’s go step by step.

Why Pictures Matter for SEO?

Most people think images are only for “making the article look pretty.”

But in reality, images do a lot more.
They help both Google and your readers understand your content better.

Here’s how:

1. Images Improve User Experience (UX) – A Direct Ranking Factor

Imagine reading a 2000-word blog with no images.

Boring, right?

The truth is:

• users scroll faster
• they get tired
• they lose interest
• they bounce quickly

Google notices this.
If people are bouncing, Google assumes:

“This content is not helpful.”

But when you add relevant images:

• The article looks clean
• Readers slow down
• They understand the content faster
• They stay longer
• They scroll deeper

And Google loves this behaviour.

Better engagement → Better rankings.

2. Images Help Google Understand Your Topic

Google can’t “see” the picture like a human.
It reads:

• the file name
• the alt text
• the surrounding paragraph
• the caption

When you write meaningful alt text like:

“Screenshot showing blog SEO checklist for WordPress.”

You’re giving Google extra context.

This boosts relevance.
And relevance boosts SEO.

3. Images Can Rank on Google Images – Extra Traffic Source

Most bloggers forget this.

I’ve seen many blogs get hundreds of daily visitors just from Google Images.

How?

Because:

• their images are original
• properly optimized
• connected to search keywords
• embedded inside helpful articles

If you’re in niches like:

• marketing
• blogging
• AI
• Linux
• tutorials
• coding
• reviews

Google Images becomes a major traffic source.

4. Images Increase Dwell Time (Time Spent on Page)

When readers stop to:

• look at a diagram
• read text on an image
• study a screenshot
• compare two visuals

They spend more time on your page.

This is one of the strongest SEO signals you can send to Google.

A reader staying 2 minutes instead of 30 seconds changes everything.

5. Images Make Your Article AEO-Ready (Future of Search)

AI search engines (Perplexity, ChatGPT Search, Gemini, Bing AI) prefer:

• visual explanations
• step-by-step images
• diagrams
• illustrative content

If your article has visuals that explain things clearly,
AI agents will pick your content over text-only blogs.

So adding images is not just about SEO today
it prepares your blog for Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).

But Adding “More Images” Isn’t The Goal – Adding “Better Images” Is

A big mistake many bloggers make:

❌ uploading random images
❌ adding too many stock photos
❌ using uncompressed files
❌ using huge 3MB pictures
❌ adding images just to fill space
❌ repeating images
❌ adding irrelevant visuals

This does the opposite of SEO.

It slows down your site.
Google hates slow websites.

So the real rule is:

👉 More helpful images, not more images.

How Many Images Should a Blog Have? (My Formula)

After writing 1500–3000-word articles for my clients, here’s the formula I use:

👉 Add 1 image every 300–400 words.

It keeps the article visually engaging without destroying page speed.

Examples:

• 2000-word article – 5 to 7 images
• 3000-word article – 8 to 10 images
• Short 1000-word blog – 2 to 4 images

But again, focus on value, not quantity.

What Type of Images Help the Most? (Very Important)

Not all images are equal.

Google prefers images that add value.

Here are the best types:

1. Original Screenshots

These perform extremely well.

For example:

• Showing how to set up Google Search Console
• Showing SEO settings
• Showing a dashboard
• Showing analytics
• Showing an app workflow

Screenshots prove experience → Increases E-E-A-T.
Google values this more than you think.

2. Infographics

Even simple ones created in Canva help:

• flowcharts
• comparison charts
• checklists
• visual steps

These are super helpful for AEO.

3. Step-by-step Visuals

If you’re teaching a process, images work better than long paragraphs.

Examples:

• “Go to Settings → SEO → Configure → Save”
• “Click the green button”

Show this with images → readers stay longer.

4. Data Visualisations

Simple bar charts or tables convert really well.
They make your blog more authoritative.

5. Branded Graphics

When you add your brand style (even slightly):

• fonts
• colours
• borders

Readers start remembering your brand.

This increases brand search which increases SEO.

How to Optimize Images for SEO (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the exact process I personally follow:

1. Compress Images to Under 100KB

Use tools like:

• TinyPNG
• Squoosh
• imagecompressor.com

Faster blogs = better SEO.

2. Use Descriptive File Names

Never upload:

IMG92823.PNG

Use:

seo-image-optimization-guide.png

Clean, clear, meaningful.

3. Write Helpful Alt Text

Alt text helps:

• Google
• Screen readers
• AI engines
• Image search ranking

Write alt text like you’re explaining the image to a friend.

4. Use WebP Format

WebP is modern, lightweight, and Google-friendly.

5. Keep Dimensions Reasonable

Upload images around:

1200px width

Instead of 3000–5000px photos.

6. Add Captions Only When Needed

Captions can improve SEO but should feel natural.

How I Use Images in My Articles (Real Approach)

Here’s how I decide where to add visuals in Pratham Writes:

✔ At the start

A simple heading visual or infographic sets the tone.

✔ After every long section

This breaks the text and reduces reader fatigue.

✔ For tutorials

Screenshots are non-negotiable.

I’ve noticed tutorial blogs rank faster when screenshots are included.

✔ For comparisons

Comparison tables work extremely well.

✔ For listicles

Small icons or visuals make the article feel light and friendly.

Does Adding More Pictures Help Core Web Vitals?

Yes if done right.

Images improve:

• Layout shift
• Visual clarity
• Readability
• Interaction
• Scroll depth

But only if they are compressed properly.

Heavy images create LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) issues.
So keep them light.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Please avoid these at all costs:

❌ Uploading uncompressed images
❌ Using 20+ stock pictures
❌ Using irrelevant pictures
❌ Adding copyrighted images
❌ Uploading photos with watermarks
❌ Not adding alt text
❌ Using duplicate images
❌ Using huge photography files
❌ Adding too many decorative pictures

These hurt SEO instead of helping it.

My Final Verdict

Yes, adding pictures can increase SEO but only if the images are relevant, helpful, original, lightweight, and optimized properly. Images improve user experience, engagement, dwell time, clarity, and support both Google Search and modern AI-driven search engines. The quality and relevance of images matter more than the number of images.

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