The Essential SEO Rule Publicists Are Missing
It is so infuriating to see yet too often, many so-called publicists are missing it. It is a simple but crucial mistake they make when sending out press releases!
They say a picture tells a thousand words. Well forgetting to tag the image in this digital era tells us about how limited you are as a publicist. It’s annoying and yet so easy to fix - especially considering how much it can affect the visibility and reach of your content.
The truth is, tagging images in press releases isn’t just a good practice – it’s a key SEO rule that can make all the difference. Here’s why tagging your images is essential for both your SEO and overall media outreach strategy.
1. Enhanced SEO
Search engines like Google rely on image tags (file names, titles, and alt text) to understand the content of your images. By tagging your images with descriptive, relevant keywords, you can help search engines index and rank your press release more effectively. This boosts your SEO, driving more organic traffic to your website and increasing the chances of your press release being discovered by the right people.
2. Improved Image Search Visibility
When you add appropriate keywords to image tags, you significantly improve the likelihood of your images appearing in image search results. For journalists, bloggers, and anyone looking for visual content, properly tagged images make it easier for them to find and use your press materials, increasing the chances of your visuals being shared and used in publications.
3. Better Accessibility
Alt text is an important part of image tagging, as it provides descriptions of images for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. Including alt text not only makes your content more inclusive but also ensures that your press release reaches a broader audience, adhering to accessibility standards. It’s a simple step that shows your commitment to inclusivity.
4. Streamlined Asset Management
Tagging images can be a huge time-saver when it comes to organizing your digital assets. If you work within a Digital Asset Management (DAM) system or other media libraries, image tags help you categorize, search for, and retrieve images quickly. Well-tagged images can be reused across multiple campaigns or press releases, making your workflow smoother and more efficient.
5. Increased User Engagement
Images are a key element in grabbing attention and driving user engagement. When images are well-tagged, they’re more likely to appear in search results, enticing users to click and spend more time on your page. This boosts overall engagement and can lead to higher conversion rates for your press release or campaign.
6. Boosted Social Media Shareability
Images are highly shareable on social media, and properly tagged images can make your press release more shareable too. When your images have relevant tags, they’re more likely to be discovered and shared by users on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. This increases your content's reach and drives more visibility for your press release.
7. Enhanced Journalist Coverage
Journalists and reporters often look for visual assets to complement their stories. Press releases that include high-quality, well-tagged images are more likely to catch their attention and get picked up for coverage. By ensuring your images are tagged with the right keywords, you make it easier for journalists to use them in their work, which can increase your chances of being featured in major outlets.
8. Provides Context and Storytelling
Tags can also go beyond basic categorization and add emotional or contextual value to your images. By tagging images with storytelling elements or relevant themes, you can make your visuals more impactful. This helps to create a deeper connection with your audience, as they’ll better understand the context and significance of the images.
Remember tagging images with your press releases isn’t just an afterthought – it’s a vital part of your digital strategy. From boosting SEO to increasing accessibility, enhancing user engagement, and improving the chances of media pickup, the benefits of tagging your images are clear. It’s a simple step that can significantly impact your content’s reach and success.
So next time you send out a press release, take the extra few minutes to ensure your images are tagged. Trust us, it’s worth it.