Do photo file names matter?

[boris.odessa.ua]

I have heard that the name of the photo file downloaded in a listing is quite important. For example, if a file is named "Watch" instead of just "IMG_20230914_115704838", the listing will appear higher in the search results. Is this really true? Or do photo file names not matter?

[inhawaii]

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@boris.odessa.ua wrote:

I have heard that the name of the photo file downloaded in a listing is quite important. For example, if a file is named "Watch" instead of just "IMG_20230914_115704838", the listing will appear higher in the search results. Is this really true? Or do photo file names not matter?

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You have heard wrong.

It doesn't matter.

But then again, people come up with all kinds of crazy conspiracy theories here.

[mybigsale]

@boris.odessa.ua 

For eBay, NO. If you have control of the photo name (your own website) then Yes, the name of the file can play a role in SEO (help with search results).

eBay renames picture files from original names to something generic like s-l1600.jpg. For whatever reason, eBay has decided to take away any SEO advantage sellers would have with photo file names that would help google find relevant seller listings.

If eBay sees a profit, they may make it an option for sellers to name photos for only $1 per photo 🙄. 

[whorunbartertown]

An internet AI told me the same thing. I don't think it matters.

[boris.odessa.ua]

Thank you all for your very helpful answers!

[mybigsale]

@boris.odessa.ua 

@whorunbartertown 

An internet AI told me the same thing. I don't think it matters.

According to google (the company, not search results), filename does matter for SEO. See link below (eBay eliminates original filename and renames to generic name that does not help SEO).

I just randomly searched for "Rolex Watch" and clicked on images. By "Coincidence", the 1st picture was named "Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-Rainbow-Watch-1-12547219" - with Rolex Watch in the file name.

I wish when someone searched for one of my items and clicked on images, my item picture would pop up and link back to my listing. 

Image SEO Best Practices | Google Search Central  |  Documentation  |  Google for Developers

Use descriptive filenames, titles, and alt text

Google extracts information about the subject matter of the image from the content of the page, including captions and image titles. Wherever possible, make sure images are placed near relevant text and on pages that are relevant to the image subject matter.

Likewise, the filename can give Google very light clues about the subject matter of the image

[1tuna]

I have taken over 600 pictures a week for 20 years and have never named them at all.the camera names them and I put them into daily folders for the next days auctions

I cant conceive of having to name a file

file names mean nothing at all, it has no bearing on a search at all

I sell watches and I can tell you that offering 30 days free returns and being a TRS and offering 99 cent auctions will boost you for sure along with 1 day handling time

@boris.odessa.ua 

[pennysdream]

Hi,  

You can name it what ever you would like.  eBay will rename it when they process it.  

Your raw photo is not what your buyers see. 

[ckimodog]

@boris.odessa.ua 

I name my photos by the date I take them.  For instance 91523.  It helps me to locate them as well.  Naming them or not naming them really doesn't matter.  

Happy Selling!

[m60driver]

Well that is about the best example of a cargo cult yet for explaining the unknown, the unknown also referred to as The Ebay Algorithm.