Where do featured images appear?
Featured images are typically located at the top of the blog post or page as an image title, but you can also find them on:
- Archive pages;
- Category pages;
- Homepage.
The featured image functions as content snippets, designed to be appealing previews, regardless of the user’s navigation path on the website.
Example: When a user visits the ‘Fashion’ section of a clothing website, the general impression is given by the featured image which needs to be popular items or seasonal campaign headlines. The image acts as an incentive to encourage further exploration of the content.
How do featured images display on blog posts?
This depends on how the website has been set up and structured. Some websites use large featured images where they take up the entire page width while others choose to place smaller thumbnails adjacent to the title.
The goal is to optimize the visual elements of the content, to improve its accessibility and engage the audience.
How are featured images used on social media?
Once you post a blog post on a social media platform (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc), it is shared along with the featured image. These elements are likely to make your post more noticeable to users as they browse their feeds.
Treat it as a snippet of an ad that encourages users to dig further into the content.
Do featured images help with SEO?
Featured images do not directly affect search rankings, but enhancing the user experience with them can affect SEO efforts. Stunning visuals may affect bounce rates and audience engagement, which search engines consider when ranking websites.
How do featured images impact user engagement?
Featured images serve as a visual anchor. Captivating images can stimulate users’ interest, prompting them to delve deeper into the content, share it with others, or stay on the site for an extended period.
Using featured images strategically may help convert casual readers into engaged followers.
How do featured images affect website loading speed?
Although bigger photos may help make a website more visually appealing, you need to ensure that they do not slow down the loading of the webpage, since slow pages could be a turnoff for the users and also impact its rank on search engines.
Conclusion
The worth of the featured images is not restricted to aesthetics alone but could also go a long way in boosting customer engagement while enhancing the overall appeal of your content. When it comes to good websites, definitely a lot of thought goes into the choice of images, the time it takes for them to load, as well as their appearance. Hence, make sure to give your featured images the attention they deserve – your website visitors will appreciate it.
