How to rename an image file for SEO in Showit

Quick answer

To properly change an image file name for SEO, you must download the image, rename it on your computer, and re-upload it into Showit. Changing the image title inside Showit does not update the file name that bots read.

How to fix it in Showit

1. Download the image from Showit or from wherever it is stored

2. Rename the file on your computer — use descriptive words separated by dashes, for example brand-photographer-melbourne.jpg

3. Keep the file name short — 4 words or fewer is ideal

4. Use dashes not underscores between words

5. Use lowercase letters only

6. Re-upload the renamed image into Showit

7. Replace the existing image on the page with the newly uploaded version

8. FastaSEO can help identify which images need better file names — run a scan to see the full list

What's the issue

When you rename an image inside Showit, you are only changing the display name within the Showit media library. The actual file name — the one that Google and AI bots read — stays the same. To properly update the file name for SEO, you need to download the image, rename the file on your computer, and re-upload it.

Why it matters

• Image file names are one of the signals Google and AI bots use to understand what an image shows. A file named IMG_4832.jpg tells search engines nothing. A file named brand-photographer-melbourne-studio.jpg tells them exactly what the image is. Descriptive file names help with image search visibility, reinforce your page topic, and keep your media library organised.

What good looks like

A short, descriptive file name using lowercase letters and dashes. For example: brand-photographer-melbourne.jpg, wedding-florist-sydney.jpg, or homepage-hero-image.jpg. Not: IMG_4832.jpg, photo1.jpg, or image (1).jpg.