Next-Gen Image

Definition

Next-Gen Images refer to image formats that have been optimized for the web. These include WebP, JPEG 2000, JPEG XR, APNG, etc. Compared to traditional formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF, Next-Gen image formats are designed to be smaller and faster, keeping the same quality, therefore, reducing the load time which impacts user experience and SEO.

Next-Gen Image Relevance For SEO

Next-Gen Images have an impact on SEO because they help improve site speed, one of the ranking factors used by search engines. Reduced load time delivers a better user experience, reducing bounce rates, and increasing the time spent on the page, which is appreciated by the search algorithms. Additionally, search engines like Google are now favoring sites that use Next-Gen image formats, having integrated WebP format into their own services. As a result, using Next-Gen Images can help improve your site’s visibility and ranking.

Next-Gen Image Best Practices for SEO

1. Choose the right format: Select the most suitable Next-Gen image format based on your requirements. WebP is recommended as it works universally and provides a strong balance of compression and quality.
2. Optimize your images: Ensure your images are the correct size, and not larger than necessary, as large file sizes can slow down page speed.
3. Use responsive images: Employ responsive images that allow the browser to choose the variant based on the device’s capabilities.
4. Lazy loading: Implement lazy loading, which delays the loading of images until they are needed or near the viewport, to increase website load speed.
5. ALT tags: Don’t forget to add descriptive alt tags to your images. It does not influence image delivery, but it helps search engines understand the content of the image, contributing to overall SEO.