Page 68 - SEO Mad Scientist 2020 Report

Is EXIF Data Indexable for Organic or Image Search?

Test Setup:

To set up our test we created 3 separate pages, each with slightly different EXIF data.

1. Added single image with EXIF title only filled in with test keyword
2. Added single image with EXIF subject only filled in with test keyword
3. Added single image with all EXIF data filled in with test keyword

Test Results: July 10, 2020

In one of our tests, we used the test term “nnvinnvi90”. When we searched for the term, it didn’t
appear in the organic results. Our EXIF data didn’t seem to get picked up for image search either,
which was a little more surprising. We had assumed with the power of images and all the hype
about EXIF data, it would at least show in Google images. Back in 2012 Google displayed this
data in image search if you clicked on it, but that was years ago, so it’s not surprising things have
evolved.

However, we know from previous tests that not all variables in search are “indexable”. Just
because one changed factor won't trigger a listing in search, doesn’t mean that it isn’t beneficial
while the algorithm is considering your website.

Does EXIF Data Help with the Onsite Organic Search?

Test Setup:

We created 5 separate pages on different websites to test multiple configurations. Our test
variations are listed out below:

● Use the test keyword in all EXIF data in the image on Page 1
● No EXIF data in the image on Page 2
● No EXIF data in the image on Page 3
● No EXIF data in the image on Page 4
● No EXIF data in the image on Page 5

As we’ve mentioned before, tests like this aren't as cut and dry. Results could be skewed for a
large variety of reasons, like the random ranking factor. No matter the results, subsequent tests

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