Does Having Podcast Imagery Help With SEO?
In the new millennium, self-production and distribution of content have replaced traditional media production and distribution. Due to the existing competition, anybody who wants to have his or her content reach out to as many people as possible is always looking for the best SEO tips. One such technique is the incorporation of podcasts. Podcasts are gaining widespread appeal. In this article, we will review the effects that podcast imagery has on SEO.
What is SEO, and How Does it Work?
SEO, in its basic definition, is a technique to improve the positioning of websites and web content in search engine lists. SEO is the optimization of websites, which includes both on-site and off-site optimization. And it is search systems like Google that apply separate algorithms to index and rank the contents. The algorithms are relevance, quality, and level of engagement of the user, based on a webpage in search results.
The Role of Images in SEO
Visual information is one of the most critical strategies of presence in the digital world. Also, the famous saying, “an image is worth a thousand words” applies to digital content as well. Audiences have a tendency to interact with content that features proper images.
As such, visual content can significantly impact SEO by:
1. Increasing user engagement: It is worth noting that the use of images in content helps to extend the amount of time that users spend on a single webpage, which in one way or another is a factor used by search engines in determining the content ranking.
2. Improving page load speed: One of the criteria users use to rank their websites, is the page load speed, and this can benefit from optimized images for the web.
3. Enhancing user experience: Relevant and high-quality images will also increase the website entertainment value and, hence, increase the probability of keeping the user on the website longer.
Podcast Imagery: A Brief Introduction
Like most other digital series, podcasts might also be enhanced through the incorporation of pictures. Podcast images, which can also be referred to as podcast artwork, are vital to the aim and visibility of podcasts.
Podcast images help with SEO in several ways:
1. Brand Recognition
Podcast images—also known as podcast covers or artwork—help to brand the podcast and are the first things that a potential listener will see. The artwork should be good looking and also should fit the brand of the podcast. Podcast images are important since they help in the recognition of the brand and will also allow it to stand out from other podcasts.
2. Attracting Listeners
The podcast image should be aimed at attracting the potential audience. It’s got to be provocative, and it’s got to have content that people are interested in, while at the same time, it must relate to the subject matter of the podcast. An image for a podcast should ideally elicit that initial click for one to begin listening to the content.
3. Easy to Find in a Search
Podcasts are searched and ranked using algorithms in search engines. So, it is clear that the visibility of a podcast in search results mainly depends on the visual representation of the podcast, the podcast title, description, and tags. An appealing and well-thought-out picture also increases the likelihood of the podcast being featured in a search.
4. Promoting Sharing on Social Media
If a podcast has a pleasing image, there is a higher chance it will be shared on a social media platform. The nature of sharing on social platforms may go a long way in making a podcast famous and, therefore, well-ranked by the search engines.
5. Increasing of Click Through Rates (CTR)
Podcast art can help increase the CTR on mobile applications and search engine result pages when audiences are scrolling for content to listen to. On the homepage, if the image selected is catchy and related to the podcast, interested people will be compelled to download it and listen to more of the podcasts.
What Makes a Podcast Image SEO-Friendly?
Optimizing podcast images for SEO involves several steps, including:
1. Choosing the correct image format: Files depicting podcasts should be in the format of JPEG or PNG of high quality. The format chosen should not be too large, yet the quality of images should not be inferior.
2. Using relevant keywords: The filename of the image file used in the podcast should contain some keyword so as to ease the effort of the search engine in identifying the image.
3. Ensuring appropriate size: For the podcast image, the length must be optimized to allow for its efficient loading while at the same time being image-rich. Podcast images are generally advised to be a certain size: 1400 x 1400 pixels, to be precise.
4. Choosing relevant and eye-catching visuals: Podcast imagery should have appropriate pictures that relates to the content of the podcast and should be interesting to the listeners.
5. Inclusion of text overlays: Image texts can be added to the images of podcasts in order to show the title and number of the episode. This may be useful for listeners as it will help them notice the show’s content as soon as possible.
Podcast images are not a minor element to be neglected because they have an impact on listener attraction and SEO. Podcast imagery plays a crucial role for podcasts in terms of being recognizable and engaging to users, and it can contribute to the success of the podcast itself. Podcasters should dedicate time and resources in crafting beautiful and relevant images to the podcast so that the podcaster will attract more listeners.
Bill Yeager, Co-Owner of High Point SEO & Marketing in CT
