Join us in Dallas for LocalU
October 20, 2026 - Just $299
Do Images Impact Ranking on Google? [Case Study]
![Do Images Impact Ranking on Google [Case Study] Sterling Sky](https://www.sterlingsky.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Do-Images-Impact-Ranking-on-Google-Case-Study-300x300.png)
We have been doing a lot of testing around images in the last year at Sterling Sky. You can read about the tests we did on geotagging photos and the cover photo you select in Google My Business. For this test, we wanted to measure how the photos you use on your website impact your organic ranking on Google.
TL;DR
According to this case study:
- Larger/better quality photos are better for ranking
- Having a photo that matches what Google is looking for can have a positive impact on ranking. Having a photo that doesn’t match can have a negative impact.
- How much images contribute to ranking likely varies based on the query or industry.
The Case Study
There was a page about a common lawn care problem that got a decent amount of traffic but had an image that was very small (150×150) and pixelated.
Since the page was about lawns that were being torn up due to skunks and raccoons, I thought it would be a good idea to update the photo to a picture of a skunk. I updated the image on the page to the one listed below.
A couple of weeks later, we actually saw the ranking drop from position 2 to position 3.
When I went to look at what caused the ranking drop, it became apparent that Google didn’t want a picture of a skunk. When you searched in Google Images for that phrase, the majority of the photos showed a lawn with dirt holes all over it.
I was able to get a larger photo from the business owner and updated the photo on the page again. Within about a week we saw the ranking of the page increase and this time it went to position 1 and took over the featured snippet.
When we looked on Google, the featured snippet was also featuring the photo we had just added:
It’s important to note that this impact seems to vary based on the industry. We originally tested this on a lawyer and saw no impact. If there is an image next to a Google search result (on desktop), there is a good chance they care about images more for that industry. We also have helpful information on how to get an image next to Google search result in mobile SERPs.
This study along with several others about images was presented at the LocalU event in August 2021. Videos of the presentation are available for purchase here.
Join us in Dallas for LocalU
Interesting find 🙂
Did you use the image of the skunk on the lawyer page too?
lol! No, definitely not. It was an image of a bicycle accident that we put on a bicycle accident lawyer page.
Interesting find 🙂
Did you use the image of the skunk on the lawyer page too?
lol! No, definitely not. It was an image of a bicycle accident that we put on a bicycle accident lawyer page.
How do you ascertain what image Google is looking for?
By looking at the Google Images tab for that search term. That’s what I did in this case study.
How do you ascertain what image Google is looking for?
By looking at the Google Images tab for that search term. That’s what I did in this case study.
I think images on google shows more relevant information. that’s why I hope so images impact ranking on google.
I think images on google shows more relevant information. that’s why I hope so images impact ranking on google.
Thanks for this informative Read.
Thanks for this informative Read.
Interesting find
Interesting find
Hey Joy, I agree with you that we should add images that google is searching for. Also, it especially has an image search tab; yes, adding photos relevant to the keywords on a blog does matter. Keep posting more informative content.
Hey Joy, I agree with you that we should add images that google is searching for. Also, it especially has an image search tab; yes, adding photos relevant to the keywords on a blog does matter. Keep posting more informative content.
Images play a significant role in Google ranking as they enhance user experience and improve overall engagement on web pages.
Images play a significant role in Google ranking as they enhance user experience and improve overall engagement on web pages.
Is it important for images to be in Webp? Also how do you know what images are popular or ranking on google?
Hey Bryce,
I’m not 100% sure if I understand your first question. For the second, you would search the target keyword on Google and check the images tab.
Is it important for images to be in Webp? Also how do you know what images are popular or ranking on google?
Hey Bryce,
I’m not 100% sure if I understand your first question. For the second, you would search the target keyword on Google and check the images tab.
Which image is good for SEO – png or jpeg?
We use .png but I’m not sure if it makes any difference.
Which image is good for SEO – png or jpeg?
We use .png but I’m not sure if it makes any difference.
I know you and others have done studies about geotagging images for GBP and found that its a waste of effort and time.
But would geotagging images on your website (not GBP) help for local landing pages to rank in search?
We tested that as well and wrote about it here: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/geotagging-photos-impact-ranking/
I know you and others have done studies about geotagging images for GBP and found that its a waste of effort and time.
But would geotagging images on your website (not GBP) help for local landing pages to rank in search?
We tested that as well and wrote about it here: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/geotagging-photos-impact-ranking/
Great insights! It’s interesting to see how images can influence rankings on Google. Visual content not only enhances user experience but also seems to play a role in search visibility. Thanks for sharing!”
Great insights! It’s interesting to see how images can influence rankings on Google. Visual content not only enhances user experience but also seems to play a role in search visibility. Thanks for sharing!”