Do Images in Posts Encourage Reading?
I begin almost every post here at Pro Blog Design with an image. The images are usually interesting, and do take a while to pick out. Do they encourage people to read more posts?
The answer is that for a certain type of blog, they do. For another type, they don't.
When Post Images Are Worth Adding
- In plain templates. Many blogs are designed to be minimalist and plain, allowing the content to be focused upon. A well selected image in the post can work wonders for adding personality to the design, without losing the clean simplicity.
- In product related blogs. If you are discussing a certain item, be it a book, gadget or anything else, your readers will expect to see the item as well as hear about it. In such cases, it may even be worth having your post image link to a full size version of the product.
- In design related blogs, such as this one. When your readers are hear to read about design and visual interest, it only makes sense to add extra visual interest to your posts themselves. With an audience that appreciates a good design, a good photo will not go amiss.
- In series of posts. Darren at Problogger exemplifies this strategy, with each of his post series receiving their own basic logo, which he uses at the start of every post in the series. Some normal posts also receive images, but not all.
When Post Images Are Not Worth Adding
There are a number times when using post images is less likely to be effective. It is no reflection on the quality of the blog, merely the style of the blog.
- When posts are short in length. A post image must be seen as an accessory to a post, not a part of the post itself. If you write short posts, an image could easily take up a similar amount of room to your content, leaving your readers to assume that the image is merely filler.
- When the topic does not map easily to pictorial form. Some topics are hard to visualize. If you cannot consistently find images which are relevant to the post topic, then it would be best not to use post images regularly. If however it is only the odd post that does not map to an image, then a metaphorically linked image will do fine.
- When you do not have the time to choose a good image. There are thousands of images available online. As such, it can be very tempting to choose the first image you see and be done with it. Choosing a good image can take time. If you do not have that time, do not damage your post with half-hearted image inclusions.
It is important also to realize that a posting routine is not a rule set in stone. For instance, your routine may be to post a single post image at the start of each post. However, many topics are begging for images and one alone would not suffice, and so, you can safely leave out the original post image if needs be, allowing you to weave more images into the content of your posts.
To conclude, if you have an eye for a good image, and the patience to take or find one, then adding images to your posts will make them more attractive. However, if your topic does not easily convert to image form, then there is no need.
Now, I've said that the images will make your posts more attractive. Will that actually convince your readers to read more? That will depend on each individual reader. What do you think?
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About the Author - Michael Martin is the founder of Pro Blog Design. He works as a freelance web designer, loves WordPress, and has an unhealthy addiction to smilies. Written on 4th September 2007.
Other posts tagged with Photography, Post Formatting, Post Images, Readability, Usability.
4th September, 12:24 pm GMT
The image actually didn't even load on the main page this time, just said "post images" in a really messed up way blended throughout half the sentence
. But it didn't really stop me from reading the article anyways.
For me personally I couldn't really give about random images like these since they add no extra value to the context. Now of course your post was about images so an image in some way on itself is related, but rather than a camera you could also have placed a picture of an elephant or 2 people walking on a beach for that matter.
In my opinion when pictures only truly matter is as a form of visualization, after all a picture says a thousand words. So if you're trying to explain the routines of doing something on your blog you could just sum it up in a load of text but also of course add images along for people to actually see what you're doing.
As for short posts I'd say they could help as well, depending on what sort of blog it is that is. But let's cover some types:
Personal blog - You went out for the day with the family, it's late and you just came back from some park or so but feel like writing some lines about it on your blog. A picture of the actual park here definitely wouldn't be out of place even if the post is short I'd say.
An artist's / photoshop / whatever blog - If you've been quiet for a while and just want to let your readers know you're still alive you could write some lines and post a work in progress along, short post yet again a picture which wouldn't just be a filler.
I have to agree though that for pretty much the majority of the blogs which cover either SEO, money making or god knows what more short posts with pictures simply don't look good but just as great as the variety between blogs is are also the "rules of blogging" to it. What's weird or not in place on one completely matches up with the style on another.
4th September, 12:26 pm GMT
I agree. Images work well in blog posts. The only thing is some people (including me) need to be careful of the width. My template includes an AdSense block floating to the left. I generally float my images to the right as a result. If I'm not careful of the width, there's not enough room between the two for the text. It's not that big a deal, since I have a wide content column, and therefore can have a wider image than normal. It's worth mentioning though.
4th September, 12:35 pm GMT
Well every post should include a pic in my opinion, but it should be somehow related to the article that is being posted. On my blog, pictures along with articles make it look beautiful and since it is a tech related blog, a picture instantly gives an idea of what is being talked about.
4th September, 12:51 pm GMT
Slevi - Sorry about that. That would be my inexperience with Windows Live Editor at fault. Isn't it just typical that it would happen on the post about post images??
Thanks for giving your opinion, and such good examples. When an image is relevant to the content, then I agree that it should definitely be included. Images aren't always needed though (Like here on PBD as you mentioned, we could easily get away without images if necessary). Personally, I like them as a reader, but clearly not everyone cares in the same way.
Redwall - That's very true. I've noticed that one a few blogs. If you content column isn't wide enough, then mixing images with ads in that first row is dodgy at best. I like how you leave the ads out of the index page though.
Nuts & Milk - A good looking image certainly goes a long way to a better looking blog.
4th September, 1:11 pm GMT
I think an image in a post can just make the post look a little more appealing, but then again I read most posts via a feed reader so it's not overly necessary. But on new sites I visit, it does make things look a little better, providing there's the space and it's not too busy with ads etc. as already mentioned.
I try to use images on a foodie site I run as I can easily pick up shots of food and drink from freebie image sites. When I look at the front page and a post is missing an image it does stand out as just blocky text.
However I don't think it would convince anyone to read more or less. Well not me anyhow
4th September, 1:15 pm GMT
Sarah - That's a good point about what happens when you leave out an image. I've done that with 2 or 3 posts here on PBD, and the homepage does look quite strange then.
A food site is a good example of a site that could benefit from images. If I saw something tasty looking, it would probably encourage at least me to read a little more.
4th September, 1:37 pm GMT
Michael, I love posting images and notice that when I'm in Google Reader, my eyes tend to go to posts with images in the feeds. Maybe that's just me! I'd love to hear your thoughts on good sources for images. Lisa
4th September, 1:57 pm GMT
As a reader I like images and feel like they make a block of text less daunting (I guess by breaking up the block into managable chunks, in some cases). I guess it's for those reasons that I sometimes use images, but sometimes there just isn't the need and I don't (I might use some unnecessary ones too, not sure).
I can see where Slevi is coming from as well, "add no extra value to the context." However, you won't know whether the writing is of value until you read it, so what's going to attract you to reading it in the first place? Good formatting is definitely a huge part of that; I'm sure good formatting includes pictures at least some of the time.
We know that PBD is good value, but that's because we've been reading and I'm sure I was encouraged to read in the first place by a snazzy logo and some well placed sub-headings and images.
4th September, 2:41 pm GMT
Lisa - Your posts are all using great images. I was going to list my sources in a future post, but now that you've asked, I may as well answer here.
I think one problem with adding images is that there is simply too much selection. It would be easy to spend hours poring over galleries picking up photo after photo, each one minutely better than the rest. That is a lot of wasted time though, for little reward, so I limit myself to 3 places that you've probably heard of before.
- sxc.hu (The largest, completely free, image gallery)
- flickr.com/creativecommons/ (Some of the best images are here, but sadly, so are some of the worst. Takes a while to sort through! xD )
- istockphoto.com (I haven't used it on PBD yet, but the image quality here is a level above the rest, and for $1 an image, I'll definitely be using it in the future when I can't find a suitable image on either of the first two).
What about you? Where do you get yours from?
kristarella - "However, you won’t know whether the writing is of value until you read it, so what’s going to attract you to reading it in the first place?" - Fantastic point, and it couldn't be more true. You only have a few seconds to draw a person into a site, nevermind just the article. An image is sure to help with that to some extent. Very well said.
4th September, 3:30 pm GMT
I find that images certainly do increase reader views. In fact, I've had many compliments of the images that I use (stock photography). Sure, they aren't free - but well worth it in my opinion as retaining readers is my #1 goal.
Excellent tips here and thank you for sharing.
-Paul
4th September, 6:04 pm GMT
Paul - The images on your blog look great, and if the compliments are anything to go by, they've certainly been worth the cost. Can I ask where you buy them?
4th September, 8:13 pm GMT
This is exactly my thoughts on images in posts. I try to include and image in every one of my posts (usually one that I've created myself or free stock photography in which I've added some text). However, sometimes I'll only have time for a very short post, so in that case, I won't include an image. Other times I simply cannot find the right image, so I don't include one in those articles either. I like to use images, but don't stress if I can't find the right one.
I believe it definitely does yield more clicks through your posts. Images will catch the eye quicker than anything and if I see an image that I like, chances are I'm going to get clicky to see what the article is all about.
4th September, 8:35 pm GMT
Having a picture in a blog post is not wrong, however, sometimes, depending on the topic you can't use a picture easily.
For instance, if you write a review (music, software, etc.) you should have some images to show the reader what you saw, underlining your statements. If you are writing a tutorial about coding (PHP, HTML, etc.) it is more difficult except you decide to tune your tutorial for a specific program. Then you can use the pictures to show the reader what you are doing. If you talk about coding without a specific program it is tough. Maybe one could add a "tag image" at the beginning of your tutorial, other than that you can't do much (maybe showing a picture of the result, but a live example has more value).
Right now I'm not using images for my tutorials, although I consider adding such a tag image to my tutorials...
To sum it up, using pictures is no mistake, they add to the content and in general attract readers. But there are occasions where you can't use pictures, or the pictures you can use are limited.
4th September, 8:38 pm GMT
I like seeing pictures...sometimes. A lot of blogs will use the same free images and it does bother me seeing the same image over and over again on different blogs. Spend $1 and buy a picture on istockphoto...chances are your fellow blogger didn't spend his $1.
pictures on foodie blogs always make me read...mmmmm...
4th September, 8:55 pm GMT
My topic makes it kind of hard to come up with a picture for the post, and my layout makes it even harder (with the ad in the middle of the content).
Maybe I just need to find a more creative way to incorporate an image.
4th September, 9:33 pm GMT
Deron - Well said. If for some reason an image has been hard to come by, or does not feel appropriate, then there is no need to force one into the post.
Marco - I agree entirely. The times when I have left out the images on PBD were all times when I was writing about a certain coding example. As you said, there are few images that work in those situations.
ses5909 - That's very true. There are some images that get overused because they are free, which defeats the purpose of using an image completely (Especially if it means the reader assumes they have already read the post because they recognise the image!). It's a trap I imagine I have/will fall into.
Liberty - With an advert in the content, then an image would most likely make the start of the post far too cluttered.
On the other hand, whilst a post image is most effective when used at the start of a post (To encourage people to read), an appropriate image will be valuable at any part of the post. If you can find a highly relevant image, and place it inline with your content in the middle of a post, it will still add value.
5th September, 12:12 am GMT
I find that posts with pictures frequently catch my attention when they probably wouldn't if they didn't have a picture. Michael, I like how you use images in your excerpts on the homepage. Right now I use images in the posts, but not in the excerpts. I've been meaning for a while to try it the other way.
5th September, 5:33 am GMT
I'm a visual person. I'm a relational person. I love pictures on posts as long as they aren't ugly ones. It adds a ton of interest to me.
I love that you use the images. I feel like it makes it look more professional.
5th September, 8:02 am GMT
I hope the images I use at Blogsreview are appropriate (do let me know). I get them from flickr. As for my recipe blog, the pictures are all taken by me after cooking. So, those are one of a kind
As a reader, I always get attracted to a post with an image rather than not. It's that visual attention which captures the reader. The rest is up to the contents.
5th September, 9:30 am GMT
Thanks for the link to that sxc.hu Michael, that's a great site.
Steven, there's a good article by Chris Pearson about snazzing up your archives, I haven't done it myself, but I like the idea.
5th September, 11:46 am GMT
Steven - I like them in the excerpts as well. The only problem is that when you show a fair number of excerpts on the homepage, the file sizes start to add up. xD
Mommy Zabs - Same here.
pablopabla - You take your own photos? That's the very best option! It would make your blog completely unique.
Kristarella - Yep, it's a fantastic site (It's where the image in this post came from even.
).
6th September, 3:39 am GMT
Yes, the photos taken at my recipes blog are taken by myself, rather crude at times unlike some gorgeous looking food blogs. But I guess like what you said, it makes it completely unique and gives the recipes a really "home-cooked" feel to it
6th September, 6:02 am GMT
I use to include photos on every post, but I stopped doing so. I think on some blogs it looks good.
6th September, 3:50 pm GMT
pablopabla - True. And if you're taking your own photos, it proves your credibility. You aren't just writing recipes, you know what you're doing!
Hey Rose - Was there any reason in particular that you stopped? Or did they just not seem worthwhile for the blog anymore?
8th September, 11:03 pm GMT
I post a lot of images in my blog. It really does increase views because a lot of people are visual learners. Not that they need pictures to read my articles, but it shows them an insight on what the article is about.
9th September, 2:33 pm GMT
Sly - Glad to hear that the images have worked out well for you on your blog.
23rd March, 7:01 am GMT
Hello everybody, my name is Damion, and I'm glad to join your conmunity,
and wish to assit as far as possible.
23rd March, 11:29 am GMT
Damion,
Welcome. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
17th October, 8:04 am GMT
It will be perfect if the image enhance the subject of post. However, my pinion is, when a perfect photo for each blog is not realistic, a nice landscape photo would improve the look and feel of post remarkably.
24th November, 5:51 am GMT
I appreciate the good advice in this post. For someone who loves images, you can certainly WRITE well as well!!
Images also have another function as well, in that they can contribute to SEO by making use of the ALT= code to insert some text about the image to replace the image if it does not show. Ideally, you should find an image where it would be appropriate to insert your keyword phrase.