What is an image mega block? An image mega block is a SERP feature that may appear along with organic search results. The image mega block displays several rows and columns of images, each of which includes top-ranking results for the searched keyword in Google Images.
Google has long since evolved past the days when their search engine results pages (SERPs) returned just 10 blue links. Nowadays, you’ll find features that go far beyond traditional page listings. That includes the image mega block, top news stories, shopping results, and more.
An image mega block is a SERP feature that may appear along with organic search results. The image mega block displays several rows and columns of images, each of which includes top-ranking results for the searched keyword in Google Images.
Note that the image mega block is different from the image results feature, which provides only one row of images and shows up when Google isn’t entirely sure that the user is searching for pictures. For example, if they search for “cactus,” they might be looking for a photo, but they might also be looking for a place to buy one.
Examples of Google image results
If a user were to search for “Pictures of Cactus,” the Google algorithm would recognize they’re looking for images and not a long-form guide to the origin of cacti in the Mojave desert. Here are the type of image results you may get for this term and others.
1. Google search results for: “Pictures of Cactus”
2. Google search results for: “Pictures of Rivers”
3. Google search results for: “Photos of Birds”
What does an image mega block provide?
The image mega block snippet provides a dozen or so top-ranking Google Images for the term that was searched. Users can click on one of the images, the “View All” button, or one of the suggested tags to go directly to the rest of the Google Images results.
The image mega block shows up when the Google algorithm is confident that images are relevant to a user’s search. The feature will likely appear at the top of the SERP, though it may also be partway down the page, especially if other features show up too.
Image mega block benefits
You may receive a significant increase in traffic if your images show up in an image mega block for your targeted keywords. These features often reside in the coveted position zero on SERPs, which sits above even the first organic search result. It’s well worth optimizing your content to snag that top spot.
What type of content is used in an image mega block?
The pictures in an image mega block are all straight from the Google images results for the searched term. That means, to get your images featured in an image mega block, you should use the same tactics you’d use to rank them in image search results.
Some good general practices are:
- Create or take high-quality images
- Save your images with a relevant title
- Add relevant alt text and descriptions
- Use a web-friendly format and size
- Include it with other relevant content
For example, to boost the chances of your image of a tree showing up in an image mega block, start with a high-quality picture of a tree from your local park. Save it as a medium-sized WebP file called Oak Tree.webp.
Then, add the relevant alt text and description: “Small black-jack oak tree in Orient Beach State Park” is an alt text example.
“A 20-foot oak blackjack oak tree filled with green leaves and acorns at Orient Beach State Park, in Long Island, New York” can be the image’s full description.
Finally, post it alongside a high-performing blog post about caring for oak trees.
Talk to a content specialist today about creating an SEO strategy for your business that includes everything from optimized images to high-quality articles.
