Featured Image
A featured image is the representative image for an article or page. Content management systems often use it in listings, cards, recommendations, and social previews. Whether and where it appears depends on the template and metadata such as Open Graph and Twitter Cards.
The image should match the content, work in required aspect ratios, and be delivered in an optimised format. Explicit width and height help prevent layout shifts. Alternative text should describe relevant information, while decorative images use empty alt text. A featured image guarantees neither higher rankings nor selection as a Google preview image.
- Representative image for an article or page
- Prepare suitable aspect ratios and crops
- Use optimised modern image formats
- Write alt text according to image purpose
- No guarantee of rankings or search previews
Frequently asked questions
A featured image is the representative image that a CMS may use in listings, cards, or social previews.
Images that convey information need appropriate alt text. Purely decorative images should use an empty alt attribute.
