Welcome to a future where your camera can be used not only for selfies, but also for shopping, problem-solving, and searching! As a marketer, you need to make sure your product is ready to be discovered by others google lensvisual search tools are changing the way people interact with your website.
Not sure what Google Lens is? Think of it as the Shazam of the internet, but instead of identifying songs, it identifies everything. From scanning a pair of shoes someone is wearing on Instagram to a piece of furniture found in a Google search video, Google Lens gives consumers an easy way to track down the exact products they’re interested in.
This is the key point: If you’re not optimizing for Google Lens, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity. So how do we make sure your products show up in these visual search results?
While Google Lens looks specifically at the image itself to identify its content and search for it, there are more optimizations that can provide Google Lens with initial context and guide searches more effectively.
With that in mind, let’s dive into some practical tips for ranking products using Google Lens.
Google Lens can’t read minds (yet) – it can only “read” what it can see. Therefore, make sure your product images are on the core pages of your website. This means no hidden images in background elements or decorative slides, which Google might obscure. It also means not overlapping images, covering them with extra text, or other tactics that might ruin the image and make it more difficult for Google Lens to understand and place the image accurately.
You also want your product images to be in HTML image tags, not buried deep in CSS or JavaScript. Why? Because Google Lens (and the Google search crawler in general) prioritizes images that can be easily found and categorized.
Quick tip: Put your key product images where they belong – somewhere visible on the main product page that screams: “Look at me! I matter!”
If you’re still naming your image files something like “IMG_1532.jpg,” we need to chat.
The file name is important.
Google Lens relies on a signal to determine what the image is, and part of that signal comes from your file name. Be specific and descriptive. Name it “black-carry-on-luggage-adjustable-handle.jpg” instead of “IMG_1532.jpg”. This way, you’re providing more than just a random photo; You are providing Google Lens with the context it needs to understand the content of the image.
Google Lens may have some great visual superpowers, but it still needs some help understanding what’s going on in the footage. This is where the alt tag comes in. But beyond that, Google uses alt text to better understand what your image represents.
Your alt text should be detailed and specific. Use “black hard-shell carry-on suitcase with adjustable handle” instead of “suitcase.” It’s all about giving Google Lens the best chance of matching your product to what someone is searching for.
Now, if you really want to upgrade, it’s time to get familiar with schema markup. model It is a form of structured data that helps search engines understand the content on the page. Adding images to the schema gives Google more context about your products and how they are categorized.
For example, if you’re selling carry-on suitcases, using schema markup can help Google understand that the image links to a specific product with a name, price, and features. Essentially, it’s like giving Google Lens a cheat sheet for identifying your products in visual searches. So do yourself a favor Don’t skip architecture.
Pixelated, blurry images are a big no-no. Google Lens thrives on high-quality visuals, so make sure your images are crisp, clear, and visually appealing. users are more likely Follow and participate With high-quality images, Google is more likely to rank them in both regular searches and lens searches.
let us Don’t forget the fact that Google Lens is primarily for mobile devices. so If your website no optimized For mobile devices, Who are you Shooting yourself in the foot. Make sure your website is responsive and images load quickly on smaller screens without compromising quality. Google prioritizes action-first indexing, and your visual search results will reflect this.
You can actually guide users to find use Google Lens works by leveraging visually intensive content on your website and social media. Post about new products on Instagram, exist TikTok and even provide clear high-resolution images on your website for That When users can’t help but “show it through the lens,” your product is ready to steal the show.
Visual search is only getting bigger, and Google Lens is leading the way. As a marketer, staying ahead of this trend by optimizing your images is non-negotiable. From naming your files correctly to leveraging schema markup and alt tags, these tactical steps can help you ensure your products are easily discoverable via Google Lens.
So go ahead – Google Lens your product images and watch your SEO rankings develop rapidly.
