The File Name

What is an image filename?

The filename is what you probably expect. Typically, it’s the same name of the image file that lives on your computer before you upload it.

This is especially true if you use the WordPress media library and most image hosting services.

If you’re exporting photos from your camera or phone, chances are the filenames are going to be a random set of numbers and letters such as “IMG_3073.jpeg”. In this case, the filename is the same name that’s sitting on your local computer (IMG_3073.jpeg), including the extension (.jpeg).

Much like the alt text you use to describe an image, Google will read the filename of the image to learn about it. By optimizing file names in accordance with optimizations of alt text and title text, it is possible to provide an increased understanding that will help your images rank in image search.

For the most part, you don’t need long file names with long descriptive text.

The keyword phrase that mostly describes the image is fine.

Just make sure that your file name text also accurately reflects what the image is about.

Image filenames recommendations

• Optimizing all of your content for SEO is important for your rankings, including image filenames.
• User-friendly image filenames are more likely to be recommended by Google.
• The filename should be descriptive, include applicable keywords and use hyphens instead of spaces to separate words. Put another way, if your long tail keyword happens to naturally describe the photo you’re uploading, then 100% use it.
• Keep your filenames to under five to six words.
• Keep in mind that this is just one aspect of your overall SEO strategy and something you should address going forward. DO NOT worry about going back to re-upload and rename all your images!

How long should filenames be?

Historically, filenames on operating systems were meant to be shorter. There are historic filesystem limitations, such as a limit of 256 characters, which means you should err on the side of shorter for your names. Keep your filenames to under five to six words and you should be fine within any character limits, and still have enough language to accurately describe the image.