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Blog Post Images That Will Rock Your World - And Where to Find Them

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image research picture

Let’s start with this oldie, but goodie:

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Why is it still on the list of the most used phrases? Probably, because it’s so true.

When it comes down to blogging, a great picture will become the anchor that will catch your eyes before anything else does. Sometimes, it’s the only thing that catches your eyes and makes you click on that link to see what the post is all about.

I like funny pictures.

I never look for images that “fit” the post; I look for images that make the reader think: “Love the picture; wonder what the post it about“.

For instance, this’s exactly what I thought when I saw this post on Facebook from Attraction Marketing Online blog.image to attraction marketing online

When I saw the image, I had to see the post.

Sooooo… Forget the boring. Go with the funny, exciting, unusual. Tie it to your story and you have a perfect magnet.

Where to find great images

There are a few places I personally favor. None of them are easy; all require a bit of digging around.

However, the end result is always worth the effort.

So here are some of my favorite places to dig:

1.   Picsearch.com and Pixsy.com

The way I do is by picking a couple of words that best describe the post and adding words like “funny” or “joke” at the end.

I start there and see where it takes me.

2. ICanHasCheezburger.com

Mostly pictures of pets with funny taglines. Always gives me a chuckle.

3. DumbJerks.com

A little bit of everything.

4. xkcd.com

Cool comics you can use freely on your site.

5. FunnySign.com

Self-explanatory: funny signs.

These resources will keep you busy for a while.

Please note: there are certain rules about republishing images on your blog. Some of them you can add to your posts all you want; some of them will require permission and/or link.

How to properly add an image to your post

I talk about this almost every time I do a Blog Audit Friday: make sure your images have ALT tags.

Whether it sounds too basic for you or not, that’s not the question. The REAL question is do you DO IT on your blog. If not, you need to read this.

Ideally, here are the 3 main things you need to pay attention to, plus 2 options, when uploading an image to your blog:

1. Image Name

Before you even upload your image, make sure it’s named properly and relevantly. That means that you shouldn’t name your image based on what it is about, but rather based on what your post it about.

Example:

I added this image to my Link Building: What’s Naughty, What’s Nice? post.link building image example

I didn’t name it “half-dressed woman”, although that’s pretty much what the image is of.

Rather, I named it “link-building”, since that’s what my post is about.

2.  Image Title

After you upload your image, it’s time to add some relevant information about it.

Why is this important?

Because the search engines won’t see the pretty image you are adding, rather a string of code that tells the search engines that this is an image and this is what the image is all about.

Who adds that string of code? You do.

Thus, this is a great opportunity to enhance your post SEO by adding some relevant keywords to the title and alternative description of the image.

Let’s take a look at what it looks like in action:

how to ad image tags

As you can see, my title is keyword loaded.

3. Add Alternative Text

That’s what is also referred to as an ALT tag (“alt” stands for alternative).

It acts like a description of the image and is another great way to add some keywords.

Note I didn’t say “stuff it with keywords”.  Keyword stuffing hasn’t worked in ages and it can have a negative effect on your SEO.

Your description shouldn’t be the same as your title, although it can definitely use the same keywords. I (almost) always like to add words like “image”, “graph”, “picture”, etc. to my ALT tag to make sure it’s different from my title.

4. Image Caption

That one is strictly for your readers.

That’s where it’s good to tie your image to your post if the relation is not too clear.

You can also show off your wit here by adding a joke or sarcasm - both work equally well.

5. Link URL

I almost always leave this one blank.

Why?

Since search engine spiders follow each link they find on a given page, what’s the point of sending them to the one that dead-ends?

Also, I’d rather not send any possible link juice to my images.

There are 2 exceptions I make to the no-link rule: when I want my readers to be able to enlarge an image and when I want to link it to an external resource.

Why You Need to Limit Images

Images are great to have, but they have one great flaw - they significantly slow down your blog.

Two solutions here:

1. Add fewer images

I usually stick to one image per post unless I need to add more to give readers a visual explanation of the text.

2. Use WP Smush.it Plugin

It will automatically reduce your image files, thus improving your blog performance. Look it up in the WP plugin directory.

Marketing Takeaway:

  • forget the boring
  • 1 cool image per post
  • mind your title and ALT tag
  • use a plugin to reduce size

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70 Intelligent comments · espresso yours below

  1. As usual, great post, Ana. I am just getting into using pictures for my blog posts, partially because I’m testing out a new WP plugin that allows you to Pin you images right from your blog. (It isn’t even released yet - I was fortunate enough to get a review copy.)

    But I really had no idea what I was doing, so thanks for some critical pointers (especially the alt tags and whatnot. I would have been lost.) : )

    • You are very welcome, Lindsey.

      I just started working on Pinterest today; will see if it translates into any traffic. lol

      Let me know how your testing goes.

  2. Well, this is the perfect article on finding and using images. I’m curious, where is the best place to put the credit attribution? I’ve been using the URL link to my source, but have the feeling this is draining away link juice. Not that one can get much juice from a rock.

    • I usually add one at the end of posts, Astro. I make it look like a naked URL, but don’t actually link it to the source - right or wrong.

  3. Another alternative for interesting photographs is the WordPress plugin, Photodropper, is great for accessing Flickr Common Creative images - well over 5 million at my last glance.

    The plugin also adds the user’s details and link as a caption, a requirement for most Flickr images.

    The advantage of Flickr is that the images are a variety of amateur, semi-professional and student photographers building up a portfolio - so that you avoid the cliched images of a stock image library.

  4. I’ve spent the past five years as a ghostwriter creating content for another woman’s business. Now that I’ve launched my own business (still providing content for IMers) I find I’m playing catch-up. Learning where to find great images, how to use them, and understanding the laws surrounding the use of images are on my list of things to do in 2012. Thanks for the great post to get me started!

    • You are very welcome, Tiffiney, and glad to hear you are branching out on your own.

      As far as using images is concerned, I always make sure I publish a link to the source. However, if the source illegally copied the image from somewhere else, I can still get in trouble.

      I just choose not to worry too much about things like that and do what I think is right.

  5. Hello Ana, this post was awesome. You always provide so much value to your readers. There is so much to gain from your blog. Thanks for putting out such great information.

  6. Fantastic post Ana.
    I have wondered where everyone finds good images to use as they can be such a strong pull for people reading your post.
    These sites will help me so much.
    Thanks
    Giuseppe

  8. I use morguefile.com and Getty Images for 99% of my stuff. Only because I couldn’t find others that were free or inexpensive. When I googled digital images et.al. the same old list comes up, or bogus links full of ads.

    Your list just made my life a whole lot easier! And since it’s from you, I know it’s good.

    Thanks, Ana!

  9. Ana,
    Loved the post, but is it really Jan 19 already? Your site is just what I need
    to help out a newbie blogger.

    Thanks

  10. Ana, I LOVE the way you share such awesome tips. You have opened so many doors for me in my blogging efforts on multiple sites. Thanks for being you!

    • 🙂 You are so very welcome, Matt.

      Multiple sites - must be keeping you quite busy, huh? I have hard time taking care of one…

  11. Here I found another great post today! Thank you Ana for most useful links. I was using corbisimages.com for my images. Now I have more choices and more venues to wander around!

    • I like seeing more and more of you on my blog, Suresh. 🙂

      I checked out your image source site - great photos!

  12. Hi Ana
    I loved it and I am alive;). That is something really valuable. You made me understand the importance of caption and alt text otherwise I use to keep that blank and that can help in your SEO provided you do not stuff it. And I always make links open in new tab so that readers can stay on my blog. Great Information!

    Lali

    • You are so very welcome, Lali.

      In SEO, every little bit helps, and image attributes can definitely make a difference!

  13. Ana

    Great post! Getting more and better images on my blog is HIGH on my to do list. You have some great images on your site… Love the tip for searching for the perfect pic, “picking a couple of words that best describe the post and adding words like “funny” or “joke” at the end.”

    Corbett Barr of corbettbarr.com/50-photos-to-inspire-life-as-a-digital-nomad has some great images on his blog (especially older posts) and appears to use a lot from flicker with under a Creative Commons license (just my observation). He’s a great blogger that offers really quality posts… as do you Ana.

    All the Best!

    Suzy Weiss
    Dating Coach for Divorced Women

    • I did see that post by Corbett, Suzy - thanks for reminding me of it.

      Of course, the difference is Corbett likes interesting images, but somewhat conservative for my taste; I prefer attention-getters.

      Thanks for coming by!

  17. I have always loved your blog post images, Ana. They set you apart and pique interest!

    Thanks for sharing your secrets and for the kind mention and link-love! 🙂

    All the best,
    Mavis

  18. Ana,

    Your images are one of the things that really stands out here. Love it, always wonder where you got that from. Thx for sharing your secrets 😉

    It’s time to use something unconventional!

  19. Cool sources and solid post Ana. I usually get my images at Deviantart and Flickr, perhaps I’ll try those 5 other sites to have a different approach through my posts’ images 🙂

  21. Hey Ana, great sources you’ve got here. I usually go a bit lazy and will search through Google or Flickr for images whenever I can’t make an image myself but the problem is that so many other bloggers do this as well. The images you snag for your posts are perfect because they always tie in and really get others active on checking out the rest.

    We’re spending all this time creating great content, headlines and resources - the picture could be the make or break for your post so yeah, definitely don’t skip out on a great way to pull people in!

    • Very well summed up, Murray - the picture could make or break your post! So why don’t we pay a little more attention to it; ain’t rocket science. 🙂

      Thanks for coming by!

  22. Ana:

    I always wondered about that URL line! Of course, I should just smack myself in the head because I know I should come here first for the answers! I don’t Google anymore…I Ana.

    Cheers 🙂
    Lisa

  23. FANTASTIC post on images!! I think one of the most important things to remember is to give credit where credit is due. If you can’t find the original artist, then at the very least link back to where you found the photo. Great info!!

  24. Perfect blog post, Ana. I often search for my images over Flickr and StockExpress. They usually have quality stock images that I need.

    I have heard about to optimize your images, you have to place proper title tag, alt tag, … but I think the gurus also advice you should name your image file properly, like link-builing.jpg. In fact, if you do a quick image search on Google for link building, you will see lots of images which file names contain keywords. What do you think, Ana?

  25. Thanks for another great post Ana. I was starting to get a bit tired of Flickr creative commons - thanks for giving me some other sources. Will also be adding that plug in right away. You rock!

    Chris

    • You are very welcome, Chris!

      All images around the blogosphere start looking the same after a while, since everyone gets them from the same place pretty much. These resources should spruce things up!

      Ana

  26. Hi Ana, thanks so much for the list of places to get images from. I also don’t mind Istock’s Dollar Bin. It doesn’t seem to have the ‘greatest’ search capabilities compared with the rest of the site, but it does the trick. I don’t mind spending a dollar for an image but spending $10-$15.00 makes for an expensive blog post if you regularly shop on the rest of the site. I will check out the other sites. I believe you introduced me to Picsearch last summer it is pretty good. Thanks so much for this, I often have a laugh at some of your images! ~Jayne~

    • There are so many incredible images you can pick up for free, Jayne! I would love for you to start focusing on images that stand out and don’t cost a penny. 🙂

  27. Hi Ana,

    Yea! More places for me to check out…thanks for the suggestions! I also learned about using the word image or photo in the alt tag to differentiate it from the title. New tip for me. Thanks for sharing it!

    Heather

    • You are getting to be such a knowledgeable blogger, Heather, it’s getting harder for me to find tips you don’t know yet! 🙂

      Glad you picked up something today - great images will only enhance your already incredible content.

      Ana

  28. What a fantastic list! It’s so nice to see something that doesn’t just rehash the old faves like Flickr CC, iStock, and Wikimedia.

    I’m a little obsessive about the images in my blog posts, often spending nearly as much time choosing a good image as I do writing the blog post. Clearly, that’s not a good use of my time. I think I’m going to adopt your attitude and go for quirky and irreverent instead. That’s got to be more fun!

    • That’s exactly what I used to do, Cindy - spend too much time combing the web for the “right” image.

      Unfortunately, no one ever notices the “right” image, but they always notice the uncommon and funny ones.

      So I made my life easier and increased reader involvement by simply thinking outside the box on this one. 🙂

  29. This is good information. I never feel right about using images straight off the web, but sometimes do. It is better to find them from a site that allows ‘borrowing’ of pictures. Just like a writer does not want their words mangled by other sites I am sure the original owners of the pictures don’t want their work misused. I will also start using the ALT and the titles you talk about. I never really knew the benefit of adding these. Thanks for your insight.

    • I see your point about “borrowing” pictures, Nicole.

      However, here’s another side of it: when you “borrow” a picture that doesn’t explicitly say you can’t use it on your site and you link back to image source, that website is getting some free link building. That’s a very good thing.

      Just as well as I don’t necessarily mind my content being syndicated all over the web without my clear permission, but as long as they keep my posts intact and link back to me, I get free backlinks.

      So there’s definitely an advantage in having your image distributed around the web.

  30. Hi Ana, I thought this was a great article about images. I am very new to blogging and have not really been uploading pictures. Also, when I have uploaded pictures, I’ve not been doing it correctly… I haven’t bothered changing their names etc. I am now going to start adding a lot more pictures to my blog, thanks for all of the resources!
    Justin

  31. Hi Ana,
    These were some good tips. Regarding images, permissions are one thing that can cause a lot of trouble. In past, I had copied images straight from Google but now I mostly choose from flickr Creative Commons and iStockPhoto.
    Leaving “URL” for image is an unheard tip that many people do not pay attention to. Good job in highlighting that. Luckily, I have always left it blank because I did not see any value in adding it(except when image was a banner ad!)

    • It’s so true, Ishan - we need to pay very close attention to permissions.

      I know just linking to the site you got the image from is always a great idea, but it’s not always enough.

      To be quite honest though, I try not to overthink those things - I do my best to give credit where credit belongs and move on.

  32. Hi Ana,
    I like having images. For regular posts, I try to find an image I can just put at the top as an introduction type picture and usually limit it to one. For pillar articles, like these instructional posts, I think screenshots are just invaluable for visualizing your point.

  33. Hi Ana

    Thanks for such a comprehensive and informative post. I have had my Gen Y niece do my graphics up until now, but with college starting again and her life getting busier, I’ve been looking for this sort of resource. Thankyou so much for sharing this. Will go check out some of the sites and see if there are images that fit my small niche blog. Much appreciated.

    Patricia Perth Australia

    • Outsourcing this kind of work is always great, Patricia, even if it’s your niece. 🙂

      And now you know where to look on your own!

  34. All of the places you mentioned are new to me. i use on flickr and compfight to search images, now my resources extend and will go for more.
    optimizing images should be necessary and you have mentioned it very clearly. One thing i like to ask, what should be the minimum size of the image and whether we use .png or .jpeg images in out post??

    • I don’t think it matters in any way what type of image you use or what size it is, Vivek.

      Smush.It plugin will do a great job optimizing any image in any size, and that’s all you need to make sure you do.

  35. Hi Ana,

    I can’t help but wanted to write this comment to thank you. Not only some great resource for finding images but a clear and detailed explanation on alt text and image caption.

    I normally fill up the title and then forget about alt text and image caption. This post really helps me on my next post.

    Thanks a lot for sharing.

    Lye

    • You are so very welcome, Lye.

      These are some great tips to start implementing on a regular basis and making them a part of your regular post writing routine.

      Ana

  36. Thanks Ana! I typically use places like the stock.xchng and other free picture sites but these sites will add some nice variety. I also use Zemanta (WordPress plugin) but I don’t think there is a way to edit the alt tags - unless you go into the code? Hmmm - will have to check on that.

    • Those are good resources, Danielle.

      My main problem with them - they are BORING. Your image has a lot of power to attract visitors and we might as well use that to our advantage!

      Ana