What is Text as Images?

Text as images refers to the practice of using image files (such as JPEG, PNG, or GIF formats) to display text on a webpage instead of utilizing actual HTML text. For example, instead of typing out a catchy headline or call-to-action in the HTML of your webpage, a graphic designer might create an image of the text and insert that image into the website.

While this approach might help maintain a certain design aesthetic or brand consistency, it is detrimental to SEO. This is because search engines are not able to read the content within images as easily as they can read plain text. Here’s why this is problematic.

Why Text as Images is Bad for SEO

  1. Search Engines Can’t Read Text in Images Search engines like Google rely on the text within a webpage to understand its content and relevance to specific search queries. When you use images to display text, search engines are unable to read or index that text unless it’s properly tagged. Although there are ways to provide some context to the image (like using alt text), it’s still not as effective as actual HTML text. As a result, important keywords and information are hidden from search engine crawlers, which can hurt your site’s rankings.
  2. Lack of Keyword Optimization Text displayed through images cannot be directly optimized for SEO. Keywords are a crucial factor in SEO rankings, and when your text is rendered as an image, search engines cannot see or index those keywords. This means that your content will not rank as highly for those important search terms, making it more difficult for potential visitors to find your site.
  3. Slow Page Load Times Image files typically have a larger file size than text-based content. Using text as images can lead to longer page load times, which can negatively impact both user experience and SEO. Slow loading speeds are a known ranking factor for Google, and if your site takes too long to load, search engines may penalize it, causing a drop in rankings. In addition, users may leave your site if it takes too long to load, further affecting your bounce rate and SEO performance.
  4. Accessibility Issues Text images can create accessibility challenges for users who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies. If the text is embedded in an image, it can’t be read aloud by screen readers, which can prevent people with visual impairments from understanding your website’s content. Google also prioritizes user experience, including accessibility, and sites that are not accessible may be penalized in rankings. Ensuring that your text is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, is crucial for good SEO.
  5. Mobile Optimization Problems As mobile-first indexing becomes more prevalent, it’s important to ensure your website performs well on mobile devices. Text as images can be problematic on mobile devices because images might not scale properly, leading to a poor user experience. In some cases, large images may even break the layout of your website, making it look unprofessional and leading to higher bounce rates. Proper HTML text, on the other hand, scales properly across devices and provides a seamless mobile experience.

How to Avoid Using Text as Images

  1. Use HTML and CSS for Text Instead of embedding text within images, use HTML and CSS to display text on your website. This allows search engines to crawl and index the content, making it easier for your site to rank for relevant keywords. Additionally, using HTML text gives you the ability to style and format your content in various ways, without compromising its SEO value.
  2. Use Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) for Design Elements If you need to create visually appealing text for branding purposes, consider using Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). SVGs are image files that can contain text, but they are vector-based, meaning they don’t lose quality when scaled. More importantly, text in SVGs can be crawled and indexed by search engines, so they won’t hinder your SEO. This makes SVGs a better choice than traditional image formats for displaying stylized text.
  3. Optimize Your Text with Proper alt Tags If you absolutely need to use images that contain text (for logos or decorative elements), always use alt tags. The alt attribute describes the image for search engines and screen readers, making it accessible to users and search bots. While alt text helps search engines understand the content of the image, it is still not a substitute for using actual HTML text. Therefore, the alt text should provide a description of the image and its context, but it should not be the primary method for conveying important content.
  4. Focus on Text-Based Content for SEO Ensure that the important information on your website, such as headings, subheadings, calls to action, and other key content, is displayed as HTML text. This allows search engines to easily index the text and helps with ranking for your targeted keywords. If your content needs to be visually enhanced, use images for supplementary content, not for crucial information.
  5. Ensure Mobile-Friendly Design Make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices. This includes using text-based content that will automatically scale to fit mobile screens. Avoid using large images for text, as they can cause layout problems or slow down your site. A mobile-friendly design is key for both user experience and SEO, as Google uses mobile-first indexing to determine search rankings.

Why Advertising Solutions Avoids Text as Images

At Advertising Solutions, we take SEO seriously and ensure that all our strategies follow the best practices to enhance visibility and user experience. We never rely on text as images, understanding that this practice can harm SEO and accessibility. Instead, we use HTML text to ensure that all of your website’s valuable content is properly indexed and optimized for search engines.

By focusing on creating user-friendly, SEO-optimized websites, we help you achieve sustainable, long-term results that improve your rankings and visibility. With Advertising Solutions, you can be confident that we use only the most effective and ethical SEO techniques to drive your business forward.

Conclusion

Using text as images may seem like a simple solution for adding style to your website, but it can have serious consequences for your SEO and user experience. Search engines cannot read text in images as easily as they can HTML text, and this can lead to missed ranking opportunities, slow page load times, and accessibility issues. To avoid these problems, focus on using HTML text and proper formatting techniques for your website’s content. At Advertising Solutions, we specialize in helping you create SEO-friendly websites that provide real value for both search engines and users.