How Can I Increase SEO Using the Media Library?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps search engines like Google crawl your website and gather information from your posts, pages, categories, and media library. Optimizing your media library is an effective way to improve your site's visibility in search results.

Step 1: Optimize File Names (Important for SEO)

Before uploading media to your website’s media library, edit your media’s file names to be descriptive and keyword-rich.

When you upload an asset to the SoCast media library, a URL is automatically created using the file name. This is why it’s important to use clear, relevant names.

For example, instead of saving an image as DSC001234.jpeg, use a descriptive name like red-peppers.jpeg. This helps users and search engines understand what the image is about.

Tips for Naming Files:

1. Keep filenames short and descriptive.
2. Use the same keywords in the filename as in your page or blog title.
3. Avoid filenames with special characters or generic names like service.jpeg.
4. Limit filenames to 3-4 words.
5. Separate keywords with hyphens, not underscores. For example, use red-peppers instead of red_peppers.

Step 2: Add Alternative Text (Important for SEO)

Search engines look for alternative text (alt text) in image tags. Alt text not only improves SEO but also makes your site more accessible for visually impaired users by allowing screen readers to describe images.

Write descriptive alt text that includes relevant keywords. For example, instead of "baseball", use "Kids playing baseball in a backyard".

Step 3: Use Captions (Less Important for SEO)

Captions describe the image for users and can provide additional context. While not as critical for SEO, captions offer another opportunity to include target keywords—if it makes sense and enhances the reader’s experience. Only add captions when they are helpful and natural.

Step 4: Add Descriptions (Less Important for SEO)

The description field appears on your image attachment page. When you upload an asset (image, PDF, video, or audio file), SoCast creates a page to host that content, each with its own URL. Use the description field to provide more information about the media, but only include details that are relevant and useful.

By following these steps, you can make your media library a powerful tool for improving your website’s SEO and accessibility.