How to Use AI Images for Better SEO
When we talk about SEO, most people think about keywords, backlinks, and blog posts. But here’s something many small businesses overlook — your website’s images can play a huge role in how well you rank in Google. And right now, AI-generated images are one of the smartest ways to give your site an SEO advantage.
At Janric Limited, I work with small business owners who want more traffic without spending a fortune. Using AI images is one of the quickest, most affordable changes you can make — and it works surprisingly well for SEO.
Why Images Matter for SEO
Google doesn’t just rank your text. It analyses your images too — from their file names to the alt text, load speed, and whether they’re unique.
Here are the main ways images affect your rankings:
- Originality — Google values unique content, and that includes visuals.
- Relevance — Images that match your text help confirm the topic of your page.
- Load Speed — Optimised images keep your site fast (a ranking factor).
- User Engagement — Better visuals keep visitors on your site longer.
- Image Search Rankings — Unique images can appear in Google Images, bringing extra traffic.
Why AI Images are Better than Stock Photos for SEO
| AI Images | Stock Photos |
|---|---|
| Unique — no duplicates anywhere online, boosting originality score | Widely reused, often detected by Google as non-original |
| Perfectly matches your page’s topic and keywords | Only “close enough” to your content |
| Custom sizes for faster loading | Often large and slow-loading without optimisation |
| Style can match your brand | Inconsistent style across your site |
Step-by-Step: Using AI Images for SEO
1. Plan Your Image Strategy
Before creating images, decide:
- Where they’ll go (blog posts, homepage, product pages)
- What they should show (relevant to the page content)
- What style matches your brand (realistic, illustrated, minimalist)
2. Choose Your AI Image Tool
Popular options include:
- DALL·E (great for beginners, integrates with ChatGPT)
- Midjourney (best for artistic detail)
- Canva AI (perfect for social media visuals)
More details here: Why AI Images Are Better Than Stock Photos.
3. Craft SEO-Friendly Prompts
Your AI prompt should include relevant keywords so the image clearly reflects your topic. For example:
Instead of: “A cute dog in a park”
Try: “A friendly golden retriever playing in a sunny park in Southport, realistic style, warm lighting”
That way, your image matches location and topic keywords.
4. Optimise the Image File
Once your image is ready:
- Rename the file with keywords (e.g.
southport-web-design-team.jpg). - Compress it for faster loading (use TinyPNG or similar).
- Add descriptive
alttext for accessibility and SEO.
5. Add Images in the Right Places
Don’t just put them at the top of the page — spread them throughout your content to keep readers engaged. Google also likes when visuals break up large blocks of text.
6. Link Images to Related Content
If relevant, make the image clickable and link to another page on your site. This improves internal linking and can lower bounce rates.
How to Craft Perfect AI Prompts for SEO
Here’s a simple prompt structure:
Subject + Keyword + Style + Lighting + Extra details
Example for a blog about Southport cafés:
“A cosy coffee shop in Southport with latte art on a wooden table, warm sunlight through the window, realistic style, inviting atmosphere”
This ensures the image visually reinforces your keyword: “Southport coffee shop.”
Extra SEO Benefits of AI Images
- Increase dwell time — unique visuals keep readers scrolling.
- Reduce bounce rates — better engagement means visitors stay longer.
- Help with social shares — eye-catching images are more likely to be shared, earning backlinks.
- Boost brand identity — consistent image style makes your site memorable.
Final Thoughts
AI-generated images are not just a design trend — they’re an SEO tool. They make your site stand out, improve user experience, and can directly help your Google rankings.
If you’d like help integrating AI images into your SEO strategy, contact Janric Limited. We can create custom visuals for your business, optimise them for fast loading, and ensure they align with your target keywords.