The Impact of Visual Search Technology on SEO

Visual search engines are changing the way people engage with the web. Rather than typing words, users can search information by looking at images. Sites such as Google Lens and Pinterest Lens are paving the way for visual search. But that’s also changing how companies approach SEO.

Traditional SEO uses the most text-based keywords. But there’s something about visual search that makes it different. Traffic also comes from pictures, graphics, and product shots. A customer, for instance, can photograph a product and find similar products on the web. A company that has taken good care of its images, can show up in the search results.

Visual search requires a focus on image quality. Searches perform better on high-resolution images with accurate lighting and clarity. Moreover, brands should label images properly. Explanatory file names, alt text, and captions allow search engines to understand the image’s content.

Organized data is another important aspect of visual search SEO. With the help of schema markup, companies can expose detailed metadata about their images. This allows search engines to return relevant outcomes. For instance, a product image that uses schema markup will have the price, brand and availability displayed on the product image in search.

Visual search also calls for companies to look at their website’s mobile responsiveness. A majority of users perform visual searches on their phones. A sluggish or poorly optimized mobile website will negatively impact a brand’s ability to appear in results. Pages should load quickly and responsive designs should be followed.

Visual search engines serve eCommerce companies best. Buyers can use pictures to browse for what they’re looking for. It offers businesses the potential to gain more conversions. For instance, when someone searches for a pair of shoes via visual search, they are most likely to make a purchase.

Visual search is still in its infancy, but its SEO value is undeniable. Adapting early will provide competitive advantage for companies. Images, structured data and mobile optimization can help brands compete in the SEO race. Visual search is the new normal, and you have to embrace it if you want to stay online.