Alt Tags and Google Maps Local Guide
So, I have been working very hard for the past 2 weeks adding Alt Tags to all of my photos (at least 1000). To say that I was feeling overwhelmed is a understatement.
You see, I have been doing Bo's Tiptons Go-Getters Training for the past month or so, which I highly recommend by the way. I came to the lesson where you use SEMrush and boy did I have a lot of things wrong.
Long story short, I initially did my Alt Tags on my photos all wrong by stuffing keywords on each photo. I took the task to heart and spent hours and hours and more hours fixing them all.
I used an appropriate title and than randomly added the keyword to a few of them in the Alt Tags while with the others I used descriptive words and I always filled out the description box as well.
I also started using Fetch as Google to each post once I finished. And guess what? After doing several image keyword searches- many of my photos with links to my website are on the first page! This is huge for me. Hard work pays off!
I would also like to mention another strategy that I think has helped me rank as well.
I am also a Google Maps local guide. In essence I add many of my best pictures of San Diego beaches as well as going around my home town and taking pictures of local businesses.The trick is to find places that do not have any good photos to represent the establishment. For instance, I took a photo of a local taco shop- Jilberto's (we sure love taco shops in Southern California)and it became the number one image and wouldn't you know that I have gotten almost 10,000 views in one week from that business. I think the key is to use the same name that you have for your Google Plus account , but I am not too sure. All I know is that I am ranking faster the more photos I put up.
I reported earlier in March that I was getting 8000 views a week and as of May I am getting between 5000 and 9000 views a day! My goal is to reach 1,000,000 views to move to the next level and right now I am at 389,000.
I think before closing that it is important to mention, that my website is basically photo-tours of beaches, so I have many, many pictures!
So in closing, I hope some of these tips will help, especially concerning Alt Tags!
Good luck to us all! :-)
Recent Comments
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Great job, good work does pay off. Alt tags is one of my least favorite things to do, that's usually because I don't remember to do it until everything else is done, but this article is a good reminder, thank you!
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Hi Colleen
Wow, CONGRATULATIONS, that sounds like you are having some awesome achievements there! Well done!
I just want to clarify, since I am not sure I fully understand what you are saying... So the 5000 and 9000 views per day, they are to your photos on Google Maps, right?
Or is that views on your San Diego beaches website?
And when you say "All I know is that I am ranking faster the more photos I put up." Is that referring to the ranking of your photos on Google Maps, or of the posts on your website?
Sorry for all the questions, but I really found your post very interesting and would like to understand exactly what you were saying! ;-) (English is not my first language, so I sometimes miss some of the nuances.) LOL!
Wishing you much success and 1million views shortly! ;-)
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
Hi Sharlee! No problem what so ever, as I can be very confusing at times :-) What I meant was on Google Maps. All of the views I was talking about are on Google Maps.
You see, you have a profile- an About Me- and within that page, you can add your website address. People will only see this if they click on your profile- again, on Google Maps.
There is also an option to write reviews on the sites that you have taken a picture of as well. This will be my next step, as that is basically what my website is- writing reviews of San Diego Beaches.
I just received a notification from Google Maps, and I had 53,000 views last week! I just need to find a way for everyone to find my site :-)
Hi Colleen
Thank you VERY much for helping me to understand!
WOW - 53'000 views - that is very good!
How about adding a watermark to the bottom corner of your photos - and that watermark being your website address? Thus everybody who click on your photo, will see your watermark. Or is that not allowed in Google Maps?
Here's a very quick mock-up of what I have in mind. Maybe the watermark can be smaller, but I didn't want to waste time to get it perfect - I'm sure you'll get the idea of what I have in mind. ;-)
Anyway, that is very impressive figures and I am so happy for you! ;-)
Wishing you much success Colleen!
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
I think at some point when I reach over a million views it may be allowed, but I am not sure. There is an avatar with my picture and name on the page corner of the photo, and if you click on it, it takes you to an about me page. I do have my website linked there. So fingers crossed ;-)
Thank you Sharlee!
Yes, I'll cross my fingers with you! ;-) LOL!
Wishing you much success!
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)