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Using Images in blog posts
Images are powerful. They persuade, intrigue and draw people in. Images of fashion are often more engaging than images of men in T-shirts flexing their muscles.
Images of new products are more likely to move visitors than descriptions of older products. Images are simple (and therefore subconsciously more powerful) than text.
Every time you use an image, you are building an emotional bond with your readers that lasts several minutes, if not seconds.
Images are a key part of every blog post in this digital age. Images are what help people find what they’re looking for, what changes their thinking, and what inspires new ideas.
Images aren’t just for pictures though, they’re for everything from text to links and even stuff that doesn’t have words on it yet (like our submission form).
This article will analyze the importance of images in blog posts and help you select the right image to use for each blog post.
What are the benefits of using images in blog posts?
Using images in blog posts can have many benefits, even if they are not directly related to blogging. For one, it can help you build your blog’s authority.
Images get clicked on more often than text and often become the first thing a user sees on a site.
That means if you have an awesome photo that has a compelling subject line and a small to medium sized preview image, your blog is much more likely to be found by the consumers who engage with search on Google.
Images help you build trust in your content and can give your content a personality. Some consumers also prefer to interact with brands via images – both in person and on the hunt for information online.
How do I use copyright photos on my blog?
Just about every blog out there uses some photos from other people (often with permission).
Whether this is for a blog about nature or a fashion blog, the intent behind using such photos is to promote and encourage other people to use them as well.
While it might seem that if you take these pictures you own the rights to them, this isn’t necessarily true.
If you look at the laws surrounding redistribution of copyrighted material, it may in fact come down to what sort of “use” you make of the pictures.
Upping your blog content with pictures taken with a copyright-protected photo is tricky. If you use a picture that’s been cleared by an authority, it’s unlikely to be hit with a DMCA notice.
If it’s your photo (and it’s clear that it’s not an unauthorized use), though, things get more complicated.
You could experience issues with linking to your blog from other sites – possibly even getting a below-the-line unfriendly comment from Google telling you that your site contains unauthorized content.
You’re more likely to get punished for using content from third-party sources.
Can I use Pinterest images on my blog?
Yes you can use Pinterest templates and images in your blogs. The issue is that Pinterest has a pretty strict image policy.
If your images consist of maps or photos of products, then you might have a problem with them showing up on your blog. There’s a simple solution for this – just pinning the image directly from Pinterest instead of using the template.
This way you can keep your blog visually appealing without having to worry about whether or not it will show up in the sidebar when people look for your posts.
There’s another rule about using templates though – don’t use them if you aren’t going to change up the colors or resemble a real photo in any way.
How to use pictures on your blog legally
Copyright is important. A lot of people seem to take it for granted, but if you share pictures or text with your readers without asking them to get permission, you’re violating their copyright.
I’d go so far as to say that if you want your blog to be able to continue functioning online, you need to learn how to properly use images (or better yet, make sure that the source is included so you can be credited).
This isn’t quite breaking news, but it’s still something that many people miss when it comes to using images on their blogs or guest posts.
Where can I get free images for my blog?
Free stock photos are becoming more popular and easily accessible. With sites such as Pixabay and Stockfish, it is now easy to find, search, and download high-quality stock images in a variety of niche fields.
You might be surprised at how readily available free images are for some of your favorite industries.
But before you dive into the freely available images, it is helpful to know where you can get free stock photos in general. Some background information will help set the stage.
- StockSnap.io
- Pexels
- Reshot
- Burst
- Unsplash
- Pixabay
- Canva
- FoodiesFeed
- Picjumbo
- Foca
- Picography
- Freestocks.org
- Kaboom Pics
- SkitterPhoto
- Jay Mantri
- Picspree
How many images per blog post?
The answer to this question really depends on the type of blog you operate and the type of readers you want to attract. The number of images per blog post will probably vary depending on how much content you produce and how often you publish new content.
If you run a blog that specializes in natural wellness, for example, you should probably try to run between two and four images per blog post.
For most other blogs however, the average number of images per blog post should be closer to three. For maximum photo value and maximum conversions, most people recommend posting at least two images.
How many images per blog post is a matter of taste, and it comes down to some considerations of how often you want to use them.
You want to keep your blog visually appealing, but not overwhelm yourself with too many images.
You want something that is clear for the user and easy-to-understand, whether you are describing an idea or showing an image from your favorite brand. That usually means having between 2-4 images per blog post.
Best image size for blog posts
Picking the best image for your blog post can be tricky. Since each image is going to have a different purpose, it’s difficult to determine which will be the best for the content you’re creating.
The best way to do it is look at how other people have chosen images for their blog posts. Are they using images that are big or small?
Are they using colors that go well with the post theme? These are little things that will make a big difference in how well your images load up your page.
The best image for your WordPress blog post should be 1200 pixels wide by 900 pixels high. That’s the minimum size for an image that will display properly on your site without excessive scrolling.
You can create an image that’s slightly larger (1350 pixels wide by 1200 pixels high) if you think the content will be easier to view when viewed on mobile devices.
Which image format is best for WordPress?
The two most widely used file types on WordPress are jpeg and png. It is not necessary to choose one over the other, nor does it necessarily matter which format you choose.
The only limitation is the size of the image that can be displayed on your website. Every resolution from 300dpi to 1600dpi applies to jpeg images.
Depending on the software you use to create or resize images, some elements will not be doubled. For instance, if you upload an image that is 400 pixels wide by 600 pixels high, Google will scale it down to 300 by 600 instead of double-pacing it.
What is webp image format?
Webp (pronounced web-pee) is an image format optimized for transmission over the Internet and inspired by the GIF (Image Without Frames) and JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image formats.
Webp images are displayed as if they were part of a real image and must be downloaded and converted by software before they can be displayed.
They have been made smaller to improve download times without sacrificing quality. Because of this, they are more compatible with mobile devices and tablets.
