How To Geotag Photos for SEO

In the simplest terms, geotagging is the process of embedding geographical information, like latitude and longitude coordinates, into your photos.

These tags help search engines understand where your images were taken or are relevant to, thus improving the chances of your content appearing in local search results.

For businesses heavily reliant on location-specific services—think restaurants, realtors, and contractors—geotagging is a game changer.

Search engines like Google factor in location data to better match users' queries with relevant local businesses. Search engines want to connect users with the most relevant businesses in their area, and geotagging gives them the extra information they need to do just that.



It’s like offering search engines a little extra help—you're telling them, “Hey, this photo is relevant to users in this particular area!” The more localized your content, the better search engines can connect you with potential customers nearby.

Why Does Geotagging Matter for SEO?

Imagine running a bakery in your city. Someone a few blocks away pulls out their phone and types "best bakery near me" into Google.

Without geotagging, your images and listings may not appear in their search, even if you offer exactly what they’re looking for. Bummer right?!

But with properly tagged photos, you’re essentially waving a flag to search engines saying, “Hey, we’re right here!”

This is where geotagging plays a pivotal role. Search engines, especially Google, love local content that’s highly relevant to users. By telling search engines exactly where your images were taken, you’re giving them one more reason to rank you higher for geographically specific searches.

Combining geotagged images with other local SEO strategies, like having an optimized Google Business Profile, can significantly increase your visibility in local search results.

Take a look at one of our clients. Their visibility increased by 23% in almost one month

More Local Visibility

Google isn’t just ranking your text content—it’s also ranking your images. Didn’t know that, yup, a lot of business owners do not. Take a quick read here on how to optimize your images.

When you geotag images on your site or business listings, Google gains a deeper understanding of the specific area your business serves.

This results in better visibility for location-based searches, which is critical if you’re looking to attract local customers. This is a big win, especially if you’re competing with larger businesses.

Better User Experience

Geotagged images also improve user experience. When people search for businesses "near me," they’re looking for highly relevant, local results. Geotagging gives users a more precise search experience by providing location-specific images in the results.

The more relevant and accurate the images, the more likely users are to engage with your content. A user is far more likely to click on your business listing if they can see that it’s just around the corner, based on the geotagged photos.



This helps you build trust with local customers, showing them that your business is exactly what they’re looking for—and it’s close by, too!

How to Geotag Photos - The Technical Steps

Now that you know why geotagging matters, let’s get into how to actually do the geotagging of images.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a tech wizard to geotag your photos. Whether your tech-savvy or just starting out with SEO, the process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps. Ok, let’s get to it.

Step 1: Choose a Geotagging Tool

The first step in geotagging your photos is selecting a tool that allows you to add geographical data to your images.

There are numerous free and paid options available, so you can pick one that best fits your needs. Some of these tools offer a more manual approach, while others automate the process.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular geotagging tools you can consider:

GeoImgr

A user-friendly platform that allows you to manually upload and geotag photos. You can manually upload your photos and add the exact coordinates where the image was taken. This tool is ideal for those who prefer more control over the tagging process.

Pic2Map

An automatic geotagger that reads the location data directly from your image. It’s a great option if you want a more hands-off approach, as it reads the location data directly from your image files.

Once you’ve chosen a tool, upload the image you want to tag. If you have a large batch of photos, consider a tool that allows bulk uploads to save time.

If you are wondering which of these Alterior Digital uses, that would be GeoImgr.

Step 2: Add Geographical Coordinates

Most geotagging tools will allow you to either manually input the latitude and longitude or select the location on a map.

Be sure to choose the exact address or point that is most relevant to your business. What you want here is accuracy. Don’t just choose a nearby landmark, make sure the geotag points directly to your location or service area.

GeoImgr actually let’s you search your own business in their tool, that way you do not have to go through the hassle of trying to pinpoint your business manually.

Step 3: Save and Download

Once you’ve geotagged your image, save the file and download it. Ensure that you upload these geotagged images to your website, Google Business Profile, or any other relevant platform.

The goal is to ensure these geotagged images are accessible and visible to both search engines and potential customers.

Step 4: Embed Your Photos with Alt Text and Descriptions

Geotagging your photos is a fantastic start, but to get the full SEO benefits, you’ll also need to make sure each image is properly optimized with Alt Text.

This part is tailored for when you upload it to your website, so no need to worry about this part for Google Business Profile.

Descriptive alt text helps search engines understand what’s in the photo. These additional SEO layers will help search engines further understand what’s in the photo and why it’s relevant to local users.

Learn how to optimize your images for SEO

Pro tip: You can further enhance your geotagging efforts by using schema markup. Schema markup is another powerful SEO tool you can combine with geotagging. Adding schema to your geotagged images further enhances your site's visibility by clearly identifying location-based content. This strategy can give you a competitive edge in the world of local search.

When Should You Geotag Photos?

Geotagging is a powerful and often overlooked SEO tool, but it’s important to use it strategically. While not every image needs a geotag, there are key instances where geotagging can significantly boost your visibility, helping you connect with local customers.

Here are some specific times when geotagging can make a real difference:

1. Product Images for E-Commerce

If your business offers local delivery or services, geotagging product images can boost visibility in local searches.

For example, if you’re a florist offering same-day delivery in a certain city, geotagging images of your bouquets can help you show up in local searches when people are looking for flower delivery nearby. This is particularly useful for local businesses trying to compete with national chains.

2. Blog Posts and Website Images

Images embedded within your blog posts or website content should be geotagged, particularly if your content discusses local topics or your services cater to specific regions.

For instance, if you're a real estate agent writing a blog post about the best neighborhoods in your city, geotagging relevant images (like pictures of those neighborhoods) can enhance your blog’s visibility in local searches.

3. Google Business Profile

Google’s algorithm heavily factors in photos uploaded to your Google Business Profile, especially when they are geotagged.

Ensure that your business profile images are optimized with accurate geotags for better local SEO performance. Google uses location data to determine how relevant your business is to people searching for services near them, and geotagged images help reinforce this relevance.

For example, if you run a local bakery, uploading geotagged images of your storefront, products, and interior will help Google understand where your business is located. This data can increase your chances of appearing in local search results, map results, and even Google’s coveted "local pack" (the top three local results that often appear in search queries).

Here is a strategy we use for our clients which have seen results as the one shown above. Make sure to Geotag your images when you do an Update.

If you are starting out, we recommend doing five updates a week for the next four weeks…and yes, make sure to target keywords, your images be Geotag.

Want To Skyrocket your Google Business Profile, fill out the contact form below

Avoid These Common Geotagging Mistakes

While geotagging is relatively straightforward, like any SEO tactic, it’s important to approach it with care.

When done incorrectly, geotagging can actually hurt your SEO efforts, so it’s crucial to avoid these common mistakes to ensure that your images work for you, not against you.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most frequent pitfalls and how to steer clear of them:

1. Overloading with Irrelevant Data

Just because you can geotag every image doesn’t mean you should. Stick to geotagging images that are contextually relevant to your business and services.

For instance, photos of your storefront, products you sell locally, or events you host in a specific region are great candidates for geotagging. Every geotagged image should have a clear purpose in supporting your local visibility.

Irrelevant or excessive geotags could confuse search engines, ultimately hurting your SEO performance.

Some people try to include several different locations in a single image’s metadata, hoping to rank for multiple locations at once. However, this can confuse search engines and undermine your credibility.

Geotags should be precise and relevant to the content they’re attached to, which ensures your images serve their intended purpose.

2. Ignoring Google’s Best Practices

Google is constantly evolving its best practices for local SEO, so always stay updated on what works. If your business moves to a new address or opens additional locations, it’s crucial to update the geotags on all relevant images.

Failing to do so could result in confusing or inaccurate search results, making it harder for local customers to find you. Always ensure that your geotags reflect your current business location(s) to stay in line with Google’s guidelines.

In addition, consider staying updated on Google’s local ranking factors beyond geotagging, such as citations, reviews, and proximity.

Google doesn’t rely solely on geotags to determine local relevance—factors like consistent business information across directories, positive customer reviews, and proximity to the searcher are also heavily weighed.

By taking a holistic approach to local SEO and following Google’s best practices, you can create a more comprehensive strategy that enhances your geotagging efforts.

How Alterior Digital Can Help You Optimize Local SEO

Geotagging photos is one of the most effective yet underutilized tactics in local SEO. With local search becoming increasingly important for businesses, correct implementation of the best SEO practices can give you a significant advantage over competitors who aren’t using this strategy.

Remember, this is just one piece of the local SEO puzzle. When you combine a geotag with other techniques like optimizing your Google Business Profile, using schema markup, and improving page speed, you can greatly enhance your visibility in local search results.

At Alterior Digital, we understand how complex local SEO can be, but we also know how important it is for your business’s growth. Our team specializes in creating customized local SEO strategies that is tailored for your business.

We’ll help fine-tune every aspect of your digital presence, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement within your target locations. If you're ready to take your local SEO to the next level, reach out to us today—we’re here to help your business lead the charge in local search rankings.