Quick-Start Guide For Social Media Image Optimization.
I this blog post I will be sharing with you, quick-start strategies on the effortless way for Social Media Image Optimization you can use when creating images for social media.
These Social Media Image Optimization techniques are a must for every social media platform.
Key Points on what you need to know about Social Media Image Optimization.
With so much improvement in the internet world nowadays, the dial-up age where you have to wait for minutes before an image is loaded is long gone.
Now we can already enjoy fast internet speed, even with the use of our mobile phones.
But even with the advancement today, make no mistake to disregard Social Media Image Optimization as it is as important as you may think it is.
Let me share with you some of the best methods you can utilize Social Media Image Optimization for best sharing efforts.
1. Optimizing your images for sharing in Social Networks.
Each social media platform has a unique way of displaying visual content. Some social networks have their own restrictions while some Social Media Channels can cater to any image orientations and dimensions.
In addition, your target audience for each social platform has specific expectations too when it comes to the Social Media Image Optimization you will be sharing.
The best way to boost your images is to understand these expectations with the aim to grab the attention of your target market.
2. Defying Social Media Image Optimization for each platform.
Pinterest: for example, prefers tall images for best optimization. To achieve the optimal size, make sure that the dimensions of your images fall on a 735 x 1102 pixels.
Tall images in Pinterest gain more audience as compared to landscape and square images. This style also allows you to have more room for those eye-catching image descriptions and visuals.
Instagram: on the one hand prefers to use a square image. If you are creating your own images out of Instagram, ensure that the images are at least 900 x 900 pixels.
By August 2015, Instagram is already supporting landscape and portrait images but square images are still the best so far.
The best thing about Instagram is that image quality isn’t affected upon resizing an image so it’s best you use a large image as it won’t hurt the image quality.
In below chart, you which you can Pin or screenshot for your reference, you see the best Social Media Image Optimization Sizes that can work for you.
3. Key Tips for Social Media Image Optimization.
Take note that when you create visual content, bigger images are always way better. Images are less likely to be scaled down as social media networks will automatically resize your images as needed.
If your image size is too small, it might affect quality so make sure you use large images for maximum optimization.
In a small example, I hate coming across a brilliant blog post of an influence persona or well-known brand and not being able to Pin that image for my Pinterest Board, where I do tend to save many great tutorials and strategy tips, from which I learn. So to share my thoughts on that more, please always optimize your Social Media Images!
For all other social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+, the best choice is horizontal images. Use the perfect aspect ratio of 16:9, the same aspect ratio that is used in HDTVs and is also widely known with pixel size 1280 x 720.
Square images work best on Facebook; although you might also want to use wider images for a more sophisticated look.
Remember that our eyes are on default accustomed to visualizing professional images, television shows and even movies in a widescreen format.
Google+, however, uses Long images, where images usually spread across all columns.
You can reference to my list shown above.
4. Always choose the Right File Format for your Images.
After you have decided which images you are to use for your social networks, you have to decide which file format you need for optimal use.
You can use from 3 commonly used formats: JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
The most commonly known image format is JPEG across all of the Social Media Channels. As it uses data compression, you image quality may suffer, depending on your image settings.
In addition, you won’t find any support for transparent background, unlike PNG and GIF image formats.
The biggest takeaway advantage of using this image format falls on the fact that it keeps small file sizes and is supported in almost any social media platform.
When you are doing simple animations and art, the best format for image optimization is the bitmap image format, GIF.
As this file format only supports 256 colors, it is not advisable for use for photographs as well as photorealistic images. It is, however, ideal for many company logos and other page elements on a website as because of its small file size. It also supports transparent backgrounds, unlike when you are saving images in a JPEG format.
The modern alternative for both image formats previously discussed is PNG. This type of image format supports transparent backgrounds, an improved color range, and my favorite, automatic gamma correction.
5. Add Alt Text to your Images.
Alt text or otherwise known as alternative text plays a vital role in Social Media Image Optimization. It is used to identify an image when you hover your mouse cursor over it. When there are problems loading the image, alt text serves it purpose well by showing your readers a clear description of your image.
Search engines have no ability to read images so the only way they can read them is to save them also as the alt text that you add to your images.
Take note that the recommended length of an alt text is no more than 125 characters. As it’s that short, ensure that you add a descriptive alt text and try to add keywords to your images.
6. Optimize Images for all your Social Media channels.
Social media plays an essential role when it comes to your overall SEO and Social Media Image Optimization. The best practice for sharing your social images is to add social sharing buttons to your own website.
One of the most popular ways to help your readers share your images is by adding a Pin It button on your blog post images.
You can use several image sharing tools including Image Sharer. With the use of image sharer, you can easily allow your target readers to share your images and also get a link back to your original post. It supports most social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
One of the most popular ways to help your readers share your images is by adding a Pin It button on your blog post images.
You can use several image sharing tools including Social Warfare Plugin.
With the use of Social Warfare Plugin, you can easily allow your target readers to share your images and also get a link back to your original post.
As you can see below it supports all of the social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+.
7. When in doubt, Google can help you!
When you are in doubt, you can always consult the image publishing guidelines of Google Webmaster. The main focus of the guideline is to give your readers great user experience with the images that you share.
It also outlines how you can provide good context to your images as well as the best practices on how to protect your images. So make sure when creating your Social Media Images, add your signature and branding stamp onto them.
Practicing these image optimization methods is the key to mastering your Social Media Image Optimization sharing skills.
The more you practice, the easier for you to become savvier in your craft.
Have you tried using these or any other image optimization techniques?
Share them in the comment box!
Lastly, don’t forget to PIN it!
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