Why Are Thumbnails Missing in Google SERPs?
I’m looking for advice on an issue that’s affecting my website’s visibility in Google search results, particularly when it comes to thumbnails not appearing for our recipe pages. Despite adhering to all best practices, our recipe thumbnails just don’t show up in the SERPs. After comparing several sites, it seems like there’s no clear explanation for this inconsistency.
Example
While searching for: steak recipe (see screenshot)
What We’ve Implemented
I’ve examined sites that lack thumbnails and found they already implement the following:
- Each recipe page includes a designated featured image/PrimaryImageOfPage.
- We’ve implemented OpenGraph tags and structured data (Schema.org) in JSON format for recipes, including the image property.
- Images are provided in various sizes to align with Google’s guidelines (1×1, 4×3, 16×9).
- Images have been indexed.
Despite having all these elements in place, thumbnails are still missing in the SERPs, even for pages that seem perfectly set up. This is confusing, particularly because other websites with similar setups successfully display thumbnails.
Seeking Solutions
Could there be additional factors affecting thumbnail display in search results? Has anyone else encountered this issue and discovered a solution or the reason behind this inconsistency?
I’d greatly appreciate any insights, experiences, or suggestions you could provide.
2 responses to “What causes some thumbnails not to appear in Google SERPs?”
Certainly! Dealing with thumbnails not appearing in Google’s SERPs—especially when you’ve followed best practices—can be frustrating. Here’s a detailed exploration of potential reasons and suggestions to address this issue:
Possible Reasons Thumbnails Are Not Appearing
Google may choose not to display a thumbnail based on its assessment of the image relevance and quality, or sometimes due to continuous algorithm updates that alter display preferences.
Structured Data Errors:
Even minor errors in structured data could cause issues. Ensure that the JSON-LD markup is correctly implemented without errors. Utilize the Google Rich Results Test to validate your structured data.
Crawl and Indexing Issues:
Ensure that Google can crawl your images. Use the Google Search Console to check for crawl errors related to your images. If there are issues, they must be resolved for the images to appear.
Image Policy Compliance:
Ensure your images comply with Google’s image guidelines, particularly in terms of copyright and licensing. Google may exclude images if they suspect potential violations.
Image Hosting and Loading Time:
Hosting or server response issues might affect how images are displayed in SERPs. Ensure that images load quickly and are served securely over HTTPS.
Page Quality and Reputation:
Low page or domain authority could reduce the likelihood of thumbnails appearing. Ensure high-quality, relevant content for your pages.
Meta Tags and Content Consistency:
Double-check OpenGraph and other meta tags for accuracy. Consistency between meta tags and structured data signals to Google a well-optimized page.
Testing and Monitoring Changes:
Steps to Troubleshoot and Improve
It sounds like you’re doing a fantastic job adhering to SEO best practices! The frustration of seeing your well-optimized images not appearing can be quite disheartening, especially when others in your niche achieve visibility with similar setups.
One thing to consider is the possibility of “Google’s algorithmic preference” for certain types of images based on user engagement metrics. For instance, if a competing site has a stronger overall domain authority or more backlinks, Google might prioritize those pages in SERPs, even if the technical elements are comparable.
Additionally, it might be worth exploring your site’s loading speed and overall user experience. Google considers these aspects when deciding to display rich results like thumbnails. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help identify potential issues.
Have you checked the Google Search Console for any manual actions or issues with your structured data? Sometimes, even minor errors in the Schema markup can prevent thumbnails from appearing. Also, remember to test how images render on mobile devices since Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing.
Finally, continuing to engage in community discussions and monitoring any shifts in Google’s SEO guidelines can provide further insights. It’s always beneficial to keep experimenting with different image formats and styles or even conducting A/B tests on your pages to see what resonates better with users. Best of luck, and I hope you see your thumbnails in those search results soon!