What is Image Submission?
Image submission refers to the practice of sharing or uploading images on various online platforms, such as social media, image-sharing websites, forums, blogs, or directories.
Image submission can be a part of a digital marketing strategy to promote a brand, product, or service, as images can be a powerful way to convey a message, grab attention, and engage with an audience.
By submitting high-quality images relevant to your niche, you can increase your online visibility, improve your search engine ranking, and attract more traffic to your website.
Importance of image submissions
Image submission can be an essential component of a digital marketing strategy for several reasons:
Increased visibility
By submitting images to various platforms, you can increase your online visibility and reach a wider audience.
Many people search for images related to their interests, and by submitting relevant images, you can attract these potential customers to your brand.
Brand awareness
Consistent image submissions can help build brand awareness and recognition. By using images that are related to your brand, you can create a visual identity that customers can associate with your products or services.
Improved SEO
Image submissions can also improve your search engine optimization (SEO).
By optimising your images with relevant keywords and tags, you can increase the chances of your images appearing in search engine results pages (SERPs).
This can drive more traffic to your website and improve your overall search engine ranking.
Increased engagement
Images are more likely to grab attention and generate engagement than plain text.
By submitting high-quality and visually appealing images, you can encourage users to engage with your content, share it with others, and potentially convert it into customers.
Essential elements of an effective image submission
A good image submission should contain the following aspects:
High-quality image
The image should be high-quality and visually appealing to grab the viewer's attention. It should be clear, well-lit, and properly composed.
Relevance
The image should be relevant to the platform and the target audience. For example, if you are submitting images on a food blog, the images should be related to food, recipes, or cooking.
Proper format and size
The image should be in the appropriate format and size for the platform. Different platforms may have different requirements, so make sure to check the guidelines before submitting.
Appropriate tags and descriptions
Use appropriate tags and descriptions that accurately describe the content of the image. This can help improve the visibility and searchability of the image.
Consistency
Consistent image submissions can help build brand recognition and awareness. Use a consistent style, colour scheme, and theme to create a cohesive visual identity for your brand.
Unique and original
Avoid using generic or stock images. Try to create unique and original images that stand out and reflect your brand's personality and values.
Popular image submission sites
There are many popular image submission sites that you can use to share your images and reach a wider audience.
Here are some of the most popular ones:
One of the largest social media platforms, Instagram is primarily focused on image and video sharing. You can create a profile for your brand and share images that showcase your products, services, or content.
A visual discovery and bookmarking platform, Pinterest allow users to save and share images and links to websites. It is particularly popular for DIY, home decor, fashion, and food-related content.
Flickr
A popular photo-sharing platform, Flickr allows users to upload and share high-quality images. It also offers social networking features, such as commenting and following other users.
Imgur
A platform for hosting and sharing images, Imgur is particularly popular for memes and humorous content. It allows users to upload and share images anonymously or through an account.
Shutterstock
A stock photography website, Shutterstock allows users to purchase or license high-quality images for commercial or personal use. It also allows contributors to upload and sell their own images.
Unsplash
A platform for sharing high-quality, free-to-use images, Unsplash allows photographers to showcase their work and users to download and use images for personal or commercial projects.
Which image file formats should be used?
When submitting images, it is important to choose the appropriate file format to ensure that the image is displayed correctly and efficiently.
Also, when choosing a file format, consider the type of image, its intended use, and the platform to which you are submitting it.
Here are some of the most common image file formats and when to use them:
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
JPEG is a widely used file format that is suitable for photographs and images with lots of colour and detail. It is a compressed format that balances image quality and file size.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
PNG is a lossless file format that is suitable for images with transparency, such as logos, icons, and graphics. It supports a wide range of colours and can be used for both web and print.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
GIF is a file format that is suitable for animated images or graphics. It supports animation and transparency and is commonly used for memes and social media content.
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
TIFF is a high-quality, uncompressed file format that is suitable for print and professional photography. It supports a wide range of colours and can be edited without losing image quality.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
SVG is a vector-based file format that is suitable for graphics and logos that need to be resized without losing image quality. It is widely used for web graphics and icons.
Process of image submission
The procedure of image submission or sharing can vary depending on the platform or website you are using. However, here are some general steps that you may need to follow when submitting or sharing an image:
Choose the appropriate file format
Choose the appropriate file format for your image based on its type and intended use. Consider the platform or website you will be submitting it to, and make sure the format is compatible.
Edit or enhance the image
Edit or enhance the image as needed using image editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Canva. This can help improve the quality and visual appeal of the image.
Compress or optimize the image
Compress or optimize the image to reduce its file size without sacrificing quality. This can help the image load faster and reduce the amount of storage space required.
Choose the platform or website
Choose the platform or website where you want to submit or share the image. This could be a social media platform, a stock photography website, or an image-sharing site.
Upload the image
Upload the image to the platform or website by following the instructions provided. Make sure you follow any size or format requirements and add any necessary metadata, such as a title or description.
Share the image
Once the image has been uploaded, you can share it with your audience by sharing the link, tagging other users, or adding it to a gallery or collection.
Monitor and engage
Monitor the performance of your image and engage with your audience by responding to comments, answering questions, and sharing related content.
Optimizing images for better SEO
Optimizing images for search engines can help improve your website's SEO and increase its visibility in search results.
Here are some tips for optimizing images with good SEO:
Use descriptive names
Use descriptive names that accurately describe the image. Avoid generic names like "IMG_001" or "photo1.jpg." Use relevant keywords in the name, but don't overdo it like “top-5-digital-marketing-websites.jpg”.
Use hyphens
Use hyphens to separate words in the image name, rather than underscores or spaces. This makes it easier for search engines to read and understand the name.
Consider the context
Consider the context of the image and the page on which it will be displayed. Use names that are relevant to the content and purpose of the page.
Use lowercase letters
Use lowercase letters in the image name, as uppercase letters can cause issues with some web servers.
Keep it short
Keep the image name as short as possible, while still accurately describing the image. Long file names can make URLs and page titles look cluttered.
Use alt tags
Alt tags provide a text description of the image for search engines and assistive technologies. Use descriptive, keyword-rich alt tags that accurately describe the image.
Compress images
Compressing images can reduce their file size without sacrificing quality. Use an image compressor tool or software to optimize your images for web use.
Resize images
Large images can slow down your website's loading time, which can negatively impact your SEO. Resize images to the appropriate dimensions for your website.
Add captions
Captions can provide additional context for the image and include relevant keywords. Use descriptive, keyword-rich captions that accurately describe the image.
Use structured data
Structured data helps search engines understand the content on your website, including images. Use structured data to provide information about the image, such as the title, description, and creator.
What should be avoided?
When submitting images, there are several things you should avoid to ensure that your submissions are effective and well-received.
Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
Poor quality images
Avoid submitting low-quality, blurry, or poorly composed images. Poor-quality images can be distracting, and unprofessional, and may not effectively convey your message.
Copyright infringement
Do not submit images that you do not have permission to use. Make sure that you have the legal right to use and share any images you submit.
Overuse of filters or editing
While editing and filters can enhance an image, overuse can make it look unnatural or fake. Use editing tools sparingly and make sure that the final image looks natural and authentic.
Inappropriate content
Avoid submitting images that contain inappropriate or offensive content, such as hate speech, violence, or nudity. This can harm your brand reputation and lead to negative feedback from your audience.
Incorrect file format or size
Make sure that your image is in the appropriate file format and size for the platform you are submitting it to. This can help ensure that the image is displayed correctly and does not cause any technical issues.
Conclusion
In the age of the internet, image submissions have become an increasingly common way for people to share and communicate visual content with one another.
From social media to online forums and blogs, there are many platforms where individuals can submit their own images and view those submitted by others.
Though image submission is an excellent way to engage with others, it's crucial to be mindful of associated risks.
For SEO purposes, it's essential to use relevant keywords, create descriptive file names, and implement alt tags for each image submission.