Can Google Read Text in Images? The Truth about Image SEO

It is common knowledge that Google can read metadata embedded in photos, regardless of whether that influences SEO. However, can it read text within images?

Yes. But not the way you’d have imagined.

The conventional wisdom seems to be that search engines do not consider photo-embedded text and the practice of embedding text in photos is not going to yield any results.

Well, here’s something interesting: Google has been using optical character recognition (OCR) technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), meaning it can extract and understand text from images. In 2019, Google announced its potential to read text within images as part of Google Lens and Search capabilities.

But does that mean you can just slap some random text onto an image and expect it to climb the rankings? No. Then, how do they do it? What is its subsequent impact on the overall SEO rankings? Also, how can a professional SEO company help you optimize your SEO game? Let’s find out.

How Google Extracts Text from Images

Google, after acquiring Deepmind in 2014, has rapidly grown its capabilities in reading text from images, through its advanced ML models including its Cloud Vision API. Here’s a short overview of how it works:

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Google’s AI scans images for visible text using its advanced OCR algorithms. It can recognize texts and similar patterns from the image and duly extracts it.
• Vision AI & Deep Learning: Google understands not just what’s in an image but also tries to understand the context, helping it determine relevance in search results. For instance, if an image contains the word “discount”, Google may associate it with e-commerce intent.
• Google Lens & Image Search: By incorporating these features, users can now highlight and search for text directly from an image.

However, just because Google has the capability to read text in images doesn’t mean you should be dependent on it for SEO. Remember, text embedded in images is still less effective than HTML text for ranking in search results.

Why Relying on Image SEO Alone Is a Mistake

You might be wondering, if Google can read text in images, should I probably ditch traditional SEO methods and solely rely on image-based text? Absolutely not! And here’s why:

• SEO Restrictions
  Google gives preference for on-page HTML text over image text when ranking the content. And therefore, if you embed key information within an image instead of in actual text format, it may not carry the same SEO weight and may reflect otherwise in actual results.
• Mobile & Load Time Issues
  You might already be knowing how large images can slow down your website, which can impact your core web vitals score (Google considers CWV as a ranking factor). Therefore, if you have a text that is trapped inside an image and it takes too long to load, Google may de-prioritize your page in search rankings.
• Accessibility Concerns
  Not all users can see image-based text – especially those who are heavily reliant on screen readers. So, if your important content is placed inside an image without including an alternative text, you’d be alienating a significant portion of your audience.

The bottom line? Google can read text in images, but it is by no means an absolute substitute for traditional on-page SEO practices.

How to Optimize Images for Improved SEO (The Right Way)

If Google can recognize text in images but doesn’t prioritize it, what’s the best approach? Here are some of the SEO best practices to get the best out of the situation, while still making use of images:

• Write Descriptive Alt Text: Alt text is inevitable for accessibility and SEO. It is what helps Google figure out what your image is all about. Make sure the alt text is descriptive regarding the image and shouldn’t be off-putting. For example, if you are uploading an infographic regarding SEO ranking factors, the following are the bad and good ways of approaching it:
  Bad
  “image1.jpg”
  Good
  “Illustration of SEO ranking factors, including on-page optimization and backlinks”
• Optimize File Names & Captions: Did you know that Google uses file names of the uploaded image as a ranking factor? Therefore, instead of “IMG_5678.jpg”, make sure to name your image something meaningful and relating to the content, like “best-image-seo-practices.jpg”.
• Include Text as HTML, Not Just in Images: When you’re using infographics, make sure to include a concise text-based summary on the page. This ensures that search engines index your content properly instead of avoiding it.
• Compress Images without Losing Quality: You have learned that large images can negatively affect your CWV score and rankings. Therefore, convert large images into faster-loading images using tools like TinyPNG or WebP format which will considerably reduce the image size without sacrificing quality.
• Utilize Schema Markup: Leverage image schema markup to impart Google with additional context regarding your images. This significantly improves your chances of appearing in the first pages of Google Images and featured snippets.

How Does the Future of Image SEO Look Like?

With the search giant constantly evolving by incorporating advanced technologies, image recognition is only going to get better. AI-driven search and multimodal search capabilities (where text, voice, and images work together) are among the growing trends. However, the core principle will remain the same: traditional text-based SEO will drive and decide the search rankings.

By focusing on the following, you could future-proof your image SEO strategy:

• Combining Image & Text SEO: Make use of high-quality images along with well-optimized on-page content.
• Investing in AI & Machine Learning: Stay ahead of the curve by integrating state-of-the-art tools that analyze how Google interprets images.
• Enhancing Image Accessibility: Ensure that all users can access your content, regardless of disabilities.

Why Collaborate with Oregon Technologies for Supercharging Your SEO Strategy?

At Oregon Technologies, we don’t just optimize websites for the sake of it – we build SEO strategies that adapt with Google’s ever-evolving algorithms and core updates. Whatever your requirements may be – image SEO, structured data, or AI-driven search strategies, our professional SEO services ensure that your content ranks higher and performs better.