From our training here at WA we all understand the importance of original content and the need to avoid duplicate content.

Were you aware it is exactly the same when it comes to your images?

Our images get ranked in a similar way to our content...check yours on Google Images...you may be pleasantly surprised!

If someone is searching in images and yours is on page 1 or near the top (I believe people scroll a long way searching for great images) but the concept is the same...the nearer to to top the more likely the click and then when they click your image they go to...your blog!

Hence the need for original images.

If you are like me, I don't have a collection of personal images that I can use. So I am using stock photos that I purchase or through one of the free image providers.

**before we go on...please please please make sure any image you use allows you the right to make modifications...but I'm sure you knew that!**

Get that original image

As an example here is one image I got a few days ago, copyright free, no need for any form of acknowledgement and with the right to modify...

its great and adds brilliantly to the post I was creating...but...its a stock photo...and a free stock photo...so imagine how many people are also using and sharing this image...while beautiful it's not original...

hence the need to rights to modify...

a little (and I mean only a little) crop.....

or flip reversal...

NOW...assuming no one else has used the same measure of crop and flip...I now have an image which is original....

Nifty huh?

Next - the importance of alt img....alt text in your images is hugely important especially in rankings and search engine image rank