How Many Images Should You Have in a Blog Post? A Guide for New Bloggers
When you’re just starting out with blogging, one of the questions you’ll likely ask yourself is: “How many images should I include in my blog posts?” It’s a great question because the right amount of images can make your content more engaging, easier to read, and even better for your SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
In this simple guide I break down the basics of how many images to use, where to place them, and how to make sure they enhance your blog rather than clutter it up. Plus I’ll share some tips on how to avoid common mistakes new bloggers make with images.
Why Are Images Important in a Blog Post?
Before we dive into the details, let’s talk about why images are so important:
• Break up text: Long paragraphs can feel overwhelming. Images help break up the text, making your blog post easier to read.
• Support your content: A picture can often explain something better than words alone. Images can clarify points or provide visual examples. Particularly important if you’re writing a tutorial or a to do list etc.
• Aesthetically Beautiful: For those of us who don’t often write in depth tutorials there’s still a place for images – EVEN if they don’t directly relay to the subject. Sprinkle in some beautiful images that fit in with your general brand aesthetic and look how it instantly improves the visuals of your post!
• Improve SEO: Search engines like Google favor content with images, especially when they’re optimized correctly.
• Engage readers: Blogs with images tend to get more views, shares, and comments.
How Many Images Should You Use?
The number of images you should include in a blog post depends on the length of your post and the type of content you’re creating. Here’s a simple breakdown:
• Short blog posts (500-800 words): 2-3 images
• Medium-length posts (800-1500 words): 3-5 images
• Long posts (1500+ words): 5-8 images
Remember, these are just guidelines. The key is to make sure every image adds value to your post.
Where Should You Place the Images?
Placement is just as important as the number of images. Here’s how to position your images for maximum impact:
• Featured image: This is the first image readers see. It should be relevant and eye-catching. Place it at the top of your post. As you can tell from my site I re-purpose the thumbnails as the featured image and have done since day 1 – it means I can publish quickly and efficiently and don’t need to be working on a tonne of images before getting started on my next post.
• Introduction: If you’re making a key point or introducing an important topic, an image here can help set the tone.
• Throughout the post: Spread out your images to break up the text and keep the reader engaged. A good rule of thumb is to include an image every 300-400 words maximum.
• Conclusion: An image at the end can summarize your post or provide a final visual takeaway.
What Should Be the Purpose of Each Image?
Every image in your blog post should have a clear purpose. Here’s what to think about:
• Illustration: Does the image illustrate a point you’re making? For example, a graph that shows data you’ve discussed.
• Explanation: Does the image explain something complex? Infographics are great for this.
• Engagement: Is the image interesting or eye-catching? It should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading.
• Emotion: Does the image evoke a feeling that matches the tone of your post? Or your general brand aesthetic. Does it make the post beautiful and easier to read?
If an image doesn’t serve one of these purposes, you might want to leave it out.
Be Mindful of Ads and Extra Images
Many blogs include advertisements, which often come in the form of images. These ads can affect how readers experience your content, so it’s important to think about how your blog post images and ads work together.
• Balance content and ads: If you have several ads on your page, try to limit the number of blog post images to avoid overwhelming your readers.
• Avoid clutter: Don’t place blog post images too close to ads. This can make the page feel cluttered and difficult to navigate.
• Consider mobile users: Many readers will view your blog on their phones. Too many images and ads can slow down loading times and make the page hard to read.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As a new blogger, it’s easy to make mistakes with images. Here’s what to watch out for:
• Too many images: Overloading your post with images can distract from the content and make it harder to read.
• Poor placement: Placing images in the middle of sentences or breaking up closely connected paragraphs can disrupt the flow of your content.
• Repetitive images: Avoid using multiple images that convey the same information. One well-chosen image is better than several similar ones.
• Bullet point overload: It’s tempting to use bullet points and images together, but too many of both can be frustrating for readers. Aim for a balance.
Focus on Delivering Information Quickly
Your goal as a blogger should be to deliver information quickly and efficiently. This means being mindful of how you use images:
• Keep it concise: Avoid unnecessary content that makes readers scroll endlessly. Get to the point.
• Use white space: A clean, simple design with plenty of white space is easier to read and looks more professional.
• Optimize images: Make sure your images are the right size and format for the web. Large files can slow down your site and hurt your SEO.
• Be mindful of UX: User experience (UX) is all about making your site easy to use. Consider how your readers will interact with your content.
Encourage Reader Interaction
Finally, don’t forget to engage with your readers! Invite them to share their thoughts on your use of images:
• Ask for feedback: At the end of your post, ask readers what they think. For example, “Did you find the images in this post helpful?”
• Invite comments: Encourage readers to leave comments about how they use images in their own blogs or what they’d like to see more of in yours.
• Use polls: If you’re unsure about how many images to use, consider running a poll to gather opinions from your audience.
The Takeaway
Using images in your blog posts can make a big difference in how readers experience your content. By following these tips, you can strike the right balance, making your posts more engaging, easier to read, and better for SEO.
• Use 2-8 images depending on the length of your post
• Place images strategically to break up text and enhance your message
• Avoid overloading your post with images and ads
• Focus on delivering information quickly and efficiently
• Engage with your readers by inviting feedback and interaction
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As always I’d love to hear from you – drop me a comment below and let me know how your blogging journey is going and what your strategy is for image use?!
