WordPress Featured Images – Importance, SEO Impact, Recommended Dimensions and Optimization

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Last updated on March 26th, 2024 at 07:06 am

Do you want to know “What is WordPress Featured Image”?

Imagine your website as a storybook, and the featured image is like the book cover.

It’s the first thing people see, and it sets the tone for what’s inside.

In WordPress, a featured image is like the cover image for your post or page.

Here’s the cool part – posts with images get 94% more views than those without!

So, having a standout featured image on WordPress is like making your storybook more attractive to readers.

It’s not just about looks though – it also helps search engines understand what your content is about.

In fact, articles with images get 3 times more engagement on social media.

So, not only does it catch the eyes of your visitors, but it also makes your content more shareable.

Recommended Image Dimensions for Featured Images

Imagine you have a puzzle, and each piece has a specific spot.

That’s how dimensions work for featured images.

If the dimensions are too big or too small, it’s like trying to fit the wrong puzzle piece.

For most WordPress themes, a good size is around 1200 x 600 pixels.

Using the right dimensions ensures your featured image fits perfectly and looks sharp.

Fun fact: Websites with high-quality images are 40 times more likely to get shared on social media.

How to Set a Featured Image in WordPress?

1. Access the Post or Page Editor:

Go to Posts or Pages in your WordPress dashboard and either create a new post/page or edit an existing one.

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2. Locate the Featured Image Section:

Look for the “Featured Image” section, typically found in the right-hand sidebar of the editor.

If you don’t see it, click the gear icon (settings) in the top right corner to expand the panel.

3. Set the Featured Image:

Click the “Set featured image” button.

click on set featured image

Choose one of the following options:

Upload a new image: Select “Upload Files” to browse and upload an image from your computer.

Choose from media library: Select an image you’ve previously uploaded to your site’s media library.

click on upload files

click on select files

Customizing Featured Images in WordPress Themes

Now, think of your website theme as the clothes your website wears.

Customizing featured images is like picking the perfect outfit. In WordPress, you can do this easily.

You can choose how your featured images appear, whether it’s full-width, cropped, or with special effects.

Did you know that 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive?

So, customizing your featured images not only makes your site look good but also keeps visitors interested and engaged.

Themes like Themify Ultra support featured image customization.

Optimizing Featured Images for SEO

Think of SEO as the secret code that helps search engines understand your website better.

When it comes to featured images, optimizing them for SEO is like giving search engines a roadmap.

You can add descriptive file names, alt text, and captions to your featured images.

Did you know that pages with images are 17% more likely to be ranked higher on Google?

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So, by optimizing your featured images, you’re not just making them look good, you’re also helping your website rank higher in search results.

It’s like making sure your website speaks the language that search engines love.

Wrapping Up – WordPress Featured Images

WordPress Featured Images are like the cover photos of your website content.

They play a crucial role in making your website look attractive and organized.

These images grab the attention of visitors, giving them a sneak peek into what your content is about.

Whether you have a blog, a portfolio, or a business site, using eye-catching Featured Images is a smart way to make your website visually appealing.