Image Stickers and SEO: Alternative Text, File Size, and Image Search
- A sticker is both an image and information on a webpage.
- Reasons why people care about sticker settings.
- The answer is to explain only the information-based questions and to answer all other questions briefly.
- Alternative text and file names are not fields for entering search terms.
- The most common points of failure when working directly on the system.
- The settings were configured in this way, depending on the function of the sticker.
- Using DecoBlocks to separate stickers and text.
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- WordPress-related plugins
I added a small character sticker to the writing screen. The expression is cute, and the writing has become smoother, but soon, this thought followed:
“Should we also add alternative text to this image? How much should we reduce the file size?”
WordPress image stickers may appear to be simple decorations. However, they are actually image assets that also affect accessibility, search engine understanding, and the speed at which a page loads.
Focusing solely on cuteness can lead to overlooking important aspects.
A sticker is both an image and information on a webpage.
In the WordPress image block, you can manage the title, caption, alt text, description, file size, and image size from the media library. Even with the same image, the function it serves can change depending on how these fields are filled.
If the image accompanying the text serves to explain the content, then it is an informative image. On the other hand, if the image is merely decorative, such as a smiling character placed between paragraphs, it is closer to a decorative image.
The reason this distinction is important is because it is not always correct to provide lengthy descriptions for every image.
First, we differentiate them by their roles.
Reasons why people care about sticker settings.
An article with many stickers may appear visually rich. However, if there are too many images, the large image that appears on the screen when the page opens may take longer to load.
According to web.dev, there is a metric that measures the time it takes for the largest image or text block to appear on the screen. In this metric, a good state is considered when 75% of visitors see the largest element within 2.5 seconds.
The speed issue also appears in decorative images.
Surprisingly, images are not only used in image searches. Google explains that it can also display images related to a page alongside the list of text results in general searches.
At that time, search engines do not only look at the image itself. They also examine the alternative text of the image, the main text, the caption, the title, the text surrounding the image, and the image itself.
The answer is to explain only the information-based questions and to answer all other questions briefly.
It is not always necessary to include keywords in every sticker. For stickers that convey information, use short and specific alternative text. For decorative stickers, the alternative text can be left blank.
Reducing file size is not a secret to improving image search rankings, but rather it should be understood as creating an environment where users can view pages quickly.
The key issue is not the search query itself.
The alternative text for informational stickers can be written as “the process of adding an image block in the WordPress post creation screen,” for example. A description that allows users to understand the flow of the text even if they cannot see the image is sufficient.
Conversely, if the same scene has already been described in the main text, the same phrase should not be repeated on the sticker. Redundant explanations can disrupt the reading flow rather than adding information.
Alternative text and file names are not fields for entering search terms.
Alternative text is not a sentence that shouts keywords to search engines. It is a description that helps to ensure the meaning of the document continues even if the image is not visible.
Google advises that although it considers alternative text important information for understanding the subject of an image, repeatedly using the same words can lead to a poor user experience and spam.
The same applies to filenames. It is better to use short, descriptive names rather than meaningless names like IMG00023.JPG. If it is an image showing a WordPress image block, you can use a filename that reflects its content.
Changing the name does not guarantee visibility.
However, simply organizing filenames and alt text does not guarantee that the results will appear in search results. While Google can read and index images, it does not guarantee their exposure.
The most common points of failure when working directly on the system.
In reality, the problem arises not when the sticker is applied, but when it is being categorized. It is more difficult than one might think to determine whether an image conveys information or simply decorates an empty space.
Forcing words like “cute character sticker” or “WordPress SEO image” onto decorative characters does not help the reader understand the content. Conversely, treating screen images that require explanation as purely decorative can lead to missed opportunities for accessibility and search engine understanding.
Incorrect classification is the biggest mistake.
The file size is also difficult to resolve all at once. While the media library displays the file size and image size, you need to re-examine the entire text to determine which image appears larger on the actual screen.
If this task is performed manually and repeatedly, the name and description of the same sticker are likely to change. In texts with many images, it also takes time to determine where to make cuts.
DecoBlocks does not handle the setting of alternative text for images or file sizes. These settings must be configured directly within the media settings.
However, in text with stickers, the guide text and decorative areas can be separated using the “Section Box (Solid)” and “Divider Line – Solid” features. These features are available in both the block editor and the classic editor.
Even if tools are available, they cannot replace human judgment.
Therefore, when managing images directly, instead of trying to modify all images identically, you should first examine the images that are most prominently displayed at the top of the screen.
The settings were configured in this way, depending on the function of the sticker.
Now, the criteria can be narrowed down to three questions.
- Does it supplement the information in the text?
- Does this show information that is not included in the main text?
- Does displaying something prominently on the screen affect loading times?
If the sticker conveys information, use a short and specific alternative text description. Also, ensure that the file name and caption accurately reflect the actual content of the image.
If a character sticker is purely decorative and does not convey any essential information, the alternative text should be left blank. This is done by leaving the alternative text field in the WordPress image block empty, so that assistive technologies do not read unnecessary descriptions.
Large featured images or stickers that appear at the top of the screen should be prepared in sizes appropriate for their display. Priority should be given to providing images in formats such as WebP or AVIF, with appropriate resolution and size for the screen.
If you are hoping to attract traffic through image searches, instead of simply adding a lot of keywords to the sticker itself, focus on organizing the file name, alternative text, and captions to be relevant to the accompanying content.
Ultimately, the standard for WordPress stickers is not “extensive explanation.” Informative stickers provide precise descriptions, decorative stickers have their alternative text left blank, and large images are offered in a lightweight format.
You can select each item individually to match the required role.
Using DecoBlocks to separate stickers and text.
If the text requires the actual insertion of a sticker, DecoBlocks’ “Insert Character Sticker” feature allows you to place character stickers from an installed sticker pack into the text. This feature does not define the alternative text or file size of the sticker, so the distinction between informative and decorative stickers, as well as media settings, must be checked separately according to the criteria mentioned earlier.
If you want to avoid mixing instructions or supplementary explanations with the main text in an article that includes stickers, you can group related content using a “Section Box (Solid)” and separate sections with a “Divider Line – Solid.” If a navigation path is needed for a long article, the “Auto Table of Contents” feature will generate a table of contents based on the titles after the article is published. You can select decorative features in the block editor and classic editor that match the desired style of the article.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Q. What should I fix first on my website?
A. First, check the image that appears prominently on the first screen of the document. If it is an informational image, add a description. If it is a decorative image, leave the alternative text blank, and then reduce the file size to match the display size.
Q. Can this problem be easily solved using a tool? What kind of tool should be used?
A. While image editing or optimization tools can be used, it is important for a person to first distinguish between informational and decorative images. The tools can be used to adjust file size and format, and it is best to directly verify the alternative text to ensure it accurately reflects the actual meaning conveyed by the image.
Q. Should alternative text be included for decorative character stickers as well?
A. If an image is purely decorative and does not convey any information or function, it is best to leave the alternative text field blank. There is no need to repeat descriptions that are already present in the main text.
Q. Does it also organize the alternative text and file size, in addition to the decorative function?
A. The alternative text and file size must be checked in the WordPress media settings, separately from the decorative features.
DecoBlocks is a plugin that allows users to insert character stickers into text and use “Section Box (Solid)” and “Divider Line – Solid” to represent related content and sections. Therefore, it is appropriate to separate the process into two parts: arranging decorations and checking image accessibility and file size.
