# Image SEO

> Google finds images in the src attribute of img elements and does not index CSS images. Alt text should be descriptive and in context, not stuffed with keywords; Google reads it alongside computer vision and the page content. High-quality images and video still matter for Google's AI features.

- URL: https://geo.casa/content-structured-data/image-seo/
- Reference · Officially documented
- Reviewed: 2026-10-25

## Use HTML image elements

> **Officially documented:**
> "Google can find images in src attribute of `<img>` element (even when it's a child of other elements, such as the `<picture>` element). Google doesn't index CSS images."
>
> Sources: [Google Search Central: Image SEO best practices](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/google-images)

```html
<!-- Indexed -->
<img src="robots-txt-flow.png" alt="Flowchart: crawler requests robots.txt before other URLs">

<!-- Not indexed as an image -->
<div style="background-image: url(robots-txt-flow.png)"></div>
```

## Write useful alt text

> **Officially documented:**
> "Google uses alt text along with computer vision algorithms and the contents of the page to understand the subject matter of the image." When writing it, focus on useful, information-rich content that uses keywords appropriately and fits the content of the page. Avoid keyword stuffing.
>
> Sources: [Google Search Central: Image SEO best practices](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/google-images)

Alt text also serves people using screen readers. It acts as anchor text when an image is a link.

## Images and AI features

> **Officially documented:**
> Among the SEO practices Google says remain worthwhile for AI Overviews and AI Mode: "Supporting your textual content with high-quality images and videos, when applicable."
>
> Sources: [Google Search Central: AI features and your website](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/ai-features)

## How this wiki does it

The wiki has few images by design. Its share images are referenced with `og:image` and carry alt text via `og:image:alt`.

## Sources

- [Google Search Central: Image SEO best practices](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/google-images)
- [Google Search Central: AI features and your website](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/ai-features)