Tips on Why Isn’t Google Indexing My Images?
As a website owner or administrator, it can be frustrating when your images aren’t appearing in Google Image search results. There could be several reasons why this is happening, but don’t worry — there are steps you can take to get your images indexed and improve your visibility in the search engines.
Here are some tips on why Google might not be indexing your images and what you can do to fix the issue:
Image file format
Google prefers images in JPEG, PNG, or GIF formats. If your images are in a different format, they may not be recognized and indexed by Google. Make sure your images are in one of these formats before uploading them to your website.
Image size
Images that are too large or too small in size can also be a problem for Google. Large images can slow down your page load time, making it difficult for Google to crawl and index your site. On the other hand, very small images may not provide enough detail for Google to understand what they depict. Aim for images that are around 70–100 KB in size.
Image filename
Make sure your image filenames are descriptive and relevant to the image content. Don’t use generic filenames like “image1.jpg” — instead, use descriptive filenames like “sunset-beach.jpg”. This will make it easier for Google to understand what the image is about and index it accordingly.
Alt tags
Alt tags are important for both accessibility and search engine optimization. They provide a text description of the image and help Google understand what the image is about. Make sure your images have descriptive alt tags that accurately describe the image content.
Image sitemap
An image sitemap is a special type of sitemap that lists all of the images on your website. This makes it easier for Google to crawl and index your images. You can create an image sitemap using a tool like Google Search Console or a plugin for your content management system.
Duplicate images
If you have duplicate images on your site, it can confuse Google and make it difficult for it to index your images properly. Make sure all of your images are unique and don’t use the same image multiple times on your site.
Blocked by robots.txt
Your robots.txt file is used to control how search engines crawl your website. If your images are blocked by the robots.txt file, Google won’t be able to index them. Make sure your images are not blocked by the robots.txt file and that Google is able to crawl them.
By following these tips, you can improve your chances of getting your images indexed by Google and improve your visibility in the search engines. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a little time for your images to show up in the search results — it can sometimes take a few weeks for Google to crawl and index your site. Be patient and keep working to improve your site’s visibility, and you’ll see results in no time!