What grabs your attention more, images in content marketing or text? When deciding whether or not to read a book, what is the first thing you see?
You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover…Or Can You?
Our parents always taught us that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover or a person by what they look like.
However, as adults, we now know that this isn’t normally true.
Many people are judged by what they look like. This is not necessarily fair but it is often the case…unfortunately.
Think about those in the entertainment field. Not the ones who have already made it, but the hundreds of thousands who are trying to be discovered.
There are an awful lot of extremely talented people in the world who are trying to be discovered.
It is a known fact that many casting agents already know the “look” they want for a certain part.
However, they don’t share that with the thousands of people who stand in line all day long for an audition.
Many an aspiring actor or actress gets up in the wee hours of the morning to wait in a very long line in inclement weather.
Then they finally make it to the stage where they are looked at ONLY and told “thank you very much”.
In other words, you don’t have the look we want and we don’t need to see what you have spent hours or days preparing for this audition.
Not an easy pill to swallow and it takes a very tough skin to be able to deal with this kind of rejection over and over and over again.
Images in Content Marketing: The Secret to Boosting Engagement
Images in content marketing are as crucial as book covers. They immediately capture the reader’s eye and convey an idea of quality.
Just as a book cover lures readers, a well-placed image can make or break your content’s engagement.
Think about it – would you pick up a book with a dull cover? Most wouldn’t. The same goes for your online content.
Incorporating compelling images boosts interaction, enhances understanding, and creates a lasting impact on your audience.
Let’s explore images’ vital role in content marketing and provide actionable tips for making your visuals stand out.
What are the secrets to elevating your content with the power of images?
The Role of Images in Content Marketing
Images are more than just pretty pictures in content marketing.
They’re powerful tools that can transform your posts from mundane to captivating.
What crucial role do images play in content marketing?
Visual Appeal and Reader Engagement
Have you ever scrolled through an article and stopped because of a striking image?
That’s the power of visual appeal. Images grab attention instantly and keep readers hooked.
- Increased Dwell Time: A compelling image can make readers stay on your page longer. The more they linger, the higher the chances they’ll absorb your message.
- Enhanced Comprehension: Visualizing content helps readers understand and remember the information better. Think of images as shortcuts to their brains, making retention effortless.
- Scroll-Stopping Power: Images make your content stand out in a world of endless feeds. They act as magnets, pulling readers toward your words.
Image SEO: Enhancing Discoverability
Optimizing images isn’t just about resizing or naming them.
It’s about making them searchable and discoverable, adding value to your overall SEO game.
- Alt Text: This text describes what’s in an image. Search engines read this to understand your image, improving your visibility. For instance, using alt text like “images in content marketing” directly enhances your site’s relevance.
- File Names: Use descriptive file names instead of generic ones like IMG1234.jpg. A name like “content-marketing-tips.jpg” is more effective.
- Compression and Size: Large images slow down your site. Compress images to keep load times swift without losing quality. Quick load times make users happy and search engines even happier.
Emotional Connection Through Imagery
The right image can strike an emotional chord. This connection can transform a passive reader into an engaged follower.
- Storytelling: Images help tell a story. A picture of a happy customer or a before-and-after comparison adds depth to your narrative.
- Emotion Evocation: Colors, expressions, and scenarios in images can evoke strong emotions. Happiness, nostalgia, and excitement are powerful feelings that make your content memorable.
- Relatability: We relate to images that reflect our situations or dreams. This connection makes readers feel understood and valued.
In a nutshell, images in content marketing are not just add-ons; they are essential elements that can shape your content’s success.
Choosing the Right Images for Your Content
Images can make or break the appeal of your content. Like the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” people often do just that.
In this section, we’ll explore how to pick the perfect image to complement your content and make it shine.
Relevance and Context
It is crucial to select images that align with your content. Imagine reading an article about cooking and seeing a random sports car picture. It doesn’t fit, right?
Relevance and context are critical. Here’s why:
- Maintains Focus: Appropriate images keep readers engaged with the topic. They serve as anchors that reinforce your message.
- Supports Your Narrative: Relevant visuals act as supplementary information, assisting readers in understanding complex points.
- Builds Trust: When images are in sync with the content, it enhances credibility. Readers feel the content is well-thought-out and reliable.
For example, if you’re writing about “images in content marketing,” use visuals that:
- Showcase graphs
- Are examples of articles with solid visuals
- Or even before-and-after comparisons
This reinforces the topic and provides a cohesive reading experience.
Quality and Authenticity
High-quality images elevate your content. Just as a sharp, clear book cover attracts attention, quality visuals do the same for your online marketing.
Why does quality matter?
- First Impressions Count: A pixelated or blurry image can ruin the first impression. Clear, high-resolution images make your content look professional and well-crafted.
- Enhanced Credibility: Authentic images build trust. Stock photos are fine, but authentic, unique images often strengthen connections.
- Emotional Impact: High-quality images capture emotions better. Quality visuals convey compelling emotions, whether a heartfelt smile or an intricate process.
To ensure authenticity, consider these tips:
- Use Original Photos: Use images unique to you or your brand whenever possible.
- Edit Smartly: Adjust lighting, contrast, and clarity to make the image pop without overdoing it.
- Avoid Overused Stock Photos: Opt for fresh, less-seen stock images or customize them to fit your content better.
- Create Your Own Images: The popularity of AI visual creation tools, such as Midjourney and Bing Image Creator makes it easier to create your own unique images
By focusing on relevance, context, quality, and authenticity, you’ll choose images that elevate your content and keep your readers coming back for more.
Best Practices for Using Images in Content Marketing
Follow these best practices to capture the power of visuals in content marketing.
Well-chosen images will attract attention and reinforce your message, making your content more memorable and impactful.
Image Sizing and Formats
Choosing the right size and format for your images is essential.
Different platforms and types of content require different dimensions and file types.
- Web Blogs and Articles: Most blogs use images with a width of 1200 pixels, which ensures they look great on desktops and mobile devices. JPEG is a common photo format due to its balance of quality and file size.
Social Media: Each platform has its preferred dimensions:
- Instagram: 1080×1080 pixels for square posts.
- Twitter: 1200×675 pixels for landscape images.
- Facebook: 1200×630 pixels for shared images.
- Infographics and Presentations: PNG or SVG formats are ideal for infographics and slides, as they support high-quality visuals with clear text.
Optimizing image sizes and formats enhances user experience by ensuring fast load times and crisp visuals across all devices.
Alt Text and Descriptions
Alt text is a brief image description that helps improve accessibility and SEO.
It ensures that all users, including those with visual impairments, can understand the content of your images.
- Accessibility: Alt text enables screen readers to describe the image to visually impaired users, creating an inclusive experience.
- SEO Benefits: Search engines use alt text to understand the context of images, which can improve your search engine rankings. For example, an alt text like “infographic explaining best practices for using images in content marketing” directly enhances SEO relevance.
- Descriptive and Specific: Write clear and concise descriptions. Instead of “person holding phone,” use “woman holding a smartphone while checking emails.”
Adding meaningful alt text and descriptions makes your content accessible and boosts your visibility in search results.
Consistency in Visual Branding
Maintaining a consistent visual style across your content strengthens your brand’s identity.
As you recognize a book by its distinctive cover, consistent imagery helps readers recognize and remember your brand.
- Color Scheme: Use a consistent color palette that aligns with your brand. This reinforces brand recognition.
- Typography: Stick to the same fonts and styles for text within images. This creates a cohesive look.
- Style and Tone: Whether you go for professional, playful, or minimalist styles, maintaining this tone in all images keeps your brand’s messaging clear and consistent.
Ensuring consistency creates a unified and professional look that reinforces your brand identity and makes it more memorable.
Incorporating these best practices will enhance your content’s effectiveness.
Images are more than just visuals—they’re key elements that boost engagement, improve accessibility, and cement your brand’s identity.
FAQs About Images in Content Marketing
Using images in content marketing isn’t just about adding visual appeal.
It also involves understanding how images can affect SEO, accessibility, and engagement.
Below, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions to help you get the most out of your images in content marketing.
How do images impact SEO?
Images play a crucial role in SEO. Here’s how they contribute:
- Improved Search Rankings: Search engines love rich media. Using images with proper titles, alt text, and descriptions can improve your rankings. When you add optimized images, you make your content more relevant for search crawlers.
- Enhanced User Experience: Images make content more engaging, reducing bounce rates. A lower bounce rate signals to search engines that your content is valuable to users.
- Increased Traffic through Image Search: People often search for images. Optimized images can rank well in image search results and drive extra traffic to your site.
What are the best practices for alt text?
Alt text is vital for both SEO and accessibility. Here are the best practices:
- Be Descriptive and Specific: Your alt text should describe the image clearly. For example, instead of “dog,” use “Golden Retriever playing in the park.”
- Include Keywords: Use relevant keywords naturally. For example, “Golden Retriever playing in the park – dog adoption tips.”
- Keep It Concise: Aim for 125 characters or less. Shorter alt text is easier for screen readers to interpret, making your site more accessible.
- Avoid Keyword Stuffing: While including keywords is essential, stuffing your alt text can lead to search engine penalties.
Can stock images be as effective as original photos?
Stock images can be helpful, but original photos or images you create often have a bigger impact. Let’s break it down:
- Authenticity: Original photos build trust. They show that you’re authentic and invested in your content.
- Uniqueness: Multiple websites may use stock images, diluting their impact. Original images make your content stand out.
- Mismatched Content: Sometimes, stock images don’t quite fit your message or tone. Original photos can better reflect your brand’s style and voice. This is the reason I love using AI visuals. I can create a visual representation that closely reflects my message.
However, well-chosen stock images can still be compelling if you lack resources for original photos. Just ensure they are high-quality and relevant to your content.
How can I ensure my images are accessible to all users?
Accessibility is about making your content usable for everyone, including those with disabilities.
Here’s how you can make your images more accessible:
- Alt Text: As mentioned, use descriptive alt text to help screen readers describe your images for visually impaired users.
- Captions and Descriptions: Provide captions and detailed descriptions for complex images. This helps users understand the content better.
- Contrast and Readability: Ensure your images have good contrast and don’t contradict the text. This makes it easier for users to read.
- Avoid Flashing or Animated Images: These can distract or cause seizures in individuals with certain health conditions. Stick to static images or provide manual controls for animations.
Ensuring your images are accessible means more people can appreciate your content, enhancing user experience and SEO.
Final Thoughts About Images in Content Marketing
Images in content marketing are as essential as covers are to books.
They attract attention, boost engagement, and help convey your message effectively.
Just as a book cover can entice someone to pick up a book, images in your content grab readers’ attention and keep them engaged.
They enhance understanding, create emotional connections, and make your content memorable.
Remember that selecting the right images involves more than just picking pretty pictures.
It’s about relevance, quality, and authenticity. Optimized images not only improve user experience but also bolster your SEO efforts.
Incorporate these principles into your content strategy, and you’ll see the transformative power of great visuals.
Effective images make your content stand out, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.
Originally published February 16, 2019; Republished July 4, 2024, to update content.

As a Visual Digital Marketing Specialist for New Horizons 123, Julie works to grow small businesses, increasing their online visibility by leveraging the latest in internet and video technologies. She specializes in creative camera-less animated video production, custom images, content writing, and SlideShare presentations. Julie also manages content, blog management, email marketing, marketing automation, and social media for her clients.

Good reminder Julie! I doubled down on images a few months ago, focusing on snapping eye-poppers in Thailand and here in New Zealand. Then I use these suckers on my blog.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ryan
Hi Ryan, images from Thailand and New Zealand are certainly gorgeous eye-poppers. Images and your video backgrounds are from “Paradise” 🙂