When you search for something online, do you ever wonder how or why that specific result is retrieved? Well, it’s all to do with a little thing called metadata.
Despite common belief, search engines are searching metadata, rather than data itself. It can’t ‘see’ the images it’s processing – only the metadata associated with the image. Thus, it is super important that your metadata accurately reflects what is depicted in the image.
Metadata Explained
Metadata is data or information that describes other data. In the case of uploading your work to Pikcha, ‘data’ would refer to your artwork or image, while its ‘metadata’ would refer to its tags, titles, and descriptions.
How well you tag your artwork determines how effectively it can be called in search. The more your image appears in buyers’ search results, the greater chance you have of making a sale.
Choosing A Title
The best title is one that reflects the subject of your image. By including what is depicted in the image, you have a better chance of it being found in search. This is why you’ll find a lot of image titles in the vein of: Man Dancing, rather than a more abstract title such as: Rhythm and Motion.
While it may seem generic, naming your online listing in this way will actually boost its search results. Because, let’s face it, most searches are generic! A buyer might have a colour scheme in mind, or a certain medium that they prefer, and a title that caters to this will put itself in better stead than its more obscure counterparts.
Keywords and Tags
Tagging your images refers to the act of listing relevant keywords associated with what is portrayed in the image. When tagging your work, it’s best to start broad before going more niche. Tag themes, mediums, locations, and image specifics that appear within the image. Take a black and white image as an example, you might opt for keywords like: black and white, bw, greyscale, monochrome etc. Think like a buyer, what do you think they search for?
That being said, it’s important to refrain from keyword stuffing. This involves including non-relevant, dissonant keywords that you believe would be highly searched in order to appear in more searches.
While you might think it will offer you more exposure, posting irrelevant tags will not boost your image. The algorithm will recognise this and keep your artwork out of search results entirely. In other words, stay relevant!
Describing Your Image
When uploading your image, you will also be asked to enter its description details. In this section, you have options. You may choose to work some of your keywords into your description. Or, you may opt for a personal approach. By giving them insight into the way it was made, the materials that were used, or the inspiration behind it, you increase your chances of connecting with a buyer and prompting a sale.
Buyers are more likely to purchase something they connect with on a personal level, particularly artwork. But in order for them to find it in the first place, remember to accurately tag and describe your artwork through relevant metadata. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing what you upload – hopefully I won’t need to look too hard!
