SEO Images for Beginners: Alt Text, Alt Attribute and Image Optimization Explained

New bloggers often focus on keywords and titles but skip the images. Images play a huge role in SEO. A well-optimized image can make your page load faster, look clearer, and be easier for Google to understand.

In this guide, you will learn three essential parts of SEO images.

1. Image alt text
2. Alt attribute
3. Image SEO optimization

Each topic helps your blog grow in different ways. After you read this post, you can explore the deeper guides linked inside each section.

1 What Is Image Alt Text

Image alt text is a brief description of what the image shows. Google reads this line because it cannot see the picture. Screen readers also read it for people who cannot see the screen.

A simple way to think about alt text is this. Imagine a friend asks what the picture on your screen looks like. Whatever you say in a straightforward line becomes your alt text.

If you want a deeper guide on writing good alt text, you can read my full post on Image Alt Text for Beginners.

Why Alt Text Matters

Alt text helps Google understand the topic of your blog. It gives strong context when the image fits the subject. It also helps your photo appear in Google Images.

Alt text also makes your blog more accessible to everyone. Some readers use screen readers. Some have slow internet. Alt text explains the image even when it does not load.

Good alt text is short, clear, and natural.

Examples of Good Alt Text

• Alt text: SEO checklist for beginners
• Alt text: Hostinger dashboard for a new blog
• Alt text: Keyword research example for beginners
• Alt text: Income report chart for my first affiliate sale

These lines tell what the image shows. They do not force random keywords.

For deeper examples, see my detailed guide on How to Write Alt Text in a Simple Way.

2 What Is the Alt Attribute

Many beginners confuse alt text with the alt attribute. The alt attribute is part of the image code. The alt text sits inside it. The attribute contains the text and tells Google that it describes the image.

Think of it like a label. The label is the alt attribute. The words on the label are the alt text. When you write alt text in WordPress, you are filling the alt attribute.

You can read more in my complete guide on Alt Attribute for SEO.

Why the Alt Attribute Helps SEO

Google reads the alt attribute to understand your images. This supports your on-page SEO. A clear alt attribute helps Google rank your images and understand your topic.

It also helps readers. If the image does not load, the text from the alt attribute appears in its place. Screen readers also depend on this attribute.

A clean alt attribute makes your page more helpful and more accessible.

Examples of Alt Attributes

• Alt attribute: Systeme.io funnel builder for beginners
• Alt attribute: Hostinger control panel for WordPress setup
• Alt attribute: Simple blog layout for new affiliate marketers

These examples fit authentic images you use on an affiliate blog.

If you want more examples and a step-by-step process, check my complete guide on the Alt Attribute.

3 What Is Image SEO Optimization

Image SEO optimization means reducing the file size of your images without losing clarity. Large images slow down your blog. A slow blog loses ranking on Google.

Optimized images help your site load fast. This gives a better user experience and improves your Core Web Vitals.

You can explore this deeper in my guide on Image Optimization for WordPress.

Why Image Optimization Matters

Google checks page speed. Slow pages drop in ranking. Heavy images are one of the biggest reasons a blog feels slow.

When your images are optimized, your page loads faster on mobile and desktop. Readers stay longer. They scroll more. This sends strong signals to Google.

A fast blog builds trust with both Google and your audience.

How to Optimize Images Before Uploading

You can resize and compress images before uploading. Here are simple tools that beginners love.

• TinyPNG
• TinyJPG
• Squoosh
• Canva export settings

Resize your images to 1,000 or 1,200 pixels wide. Compress them once. Then upload them to WordPress.

How to Optimize Images Inside WordPress

Some plugins do the work for you. They compress, resize, and convert images to better formats.

Here are beginner-friendly options.

• Imagify
• Smush
• ShortPixel
• Optimole

Choose one plugin. One tool is enough.

I use Imagify because it is simple, fast, and runs in the background without extra work.

Lazy loading is also helpful. It loads images only when the reader scrolls to them. Most WordPress setups include this by default.

4 Best Formats for Fast Images

WebP is excellent for most blogs. It is clear and light. JPG works well for photos. PNG is suitable for graphics or screenshots. Many plugins can convert images automatically.

5 Real Life Image Optimisation for Affiliate Bloggers

You use many screenshots and step-by-step guides. These include hosting dashboards, Systeme.io funnels, and keyword tools. These images must load fast because your readers follow each step.

Light images keep your tutorials smooth and friendly. Heavy photos slow the page and make scrolling hard.

6 Simple Workflow for Image SEO

Here is a simple flow you can follow for every blog post.

• Create your image
• Resize to one thousand or twelve hundred pixels
• Compress with TinyPNG or a plugin
• Upload to WordPress
• Add a clear alt text
• Publish your post

This takes very little time but gives substantial SEO benefits.

7 Quick Checklist for Image SEO

Before you hit publish, check these points.

1. Did I write clear alt text?
2. Is the alt attribute filled?
3. Is the image compressed?
4. Is the image under one megabyte?
5. Is lazy loading on?
6. Does the page load fast?

If yes, your image SEO is in good shape.

8 Final Note for Beginners

Image SEO is simple when you break it into steps.

• Alt text helps Google understand your images.
• The alt attribute holds your alt text and helps screen readers.
• Image optimization keeps your site fast and clean.
• These three parts work together. When you follow them, your blog becomes faster, more precise, and easier to rank.

To learn more, you can read the complete guides linked inside this post.

1. Image Alt Text for Beginners
2. Alt Attribute for SEO
3. Image Optimization for WordPress

You now have a strong base for Image SEO.