Google Parses img Elements Even When Enclosed Within Other Elements

Jan 24, 2023 - 7:41 am 0 by

Google Image code

Google has also updated the image SEO best practices document to clarify that Google will parses img elements even when they're enclosed in other elements such as picture elements when indexing images.

Previously, the line read, "Google parses the HTML of your pages to index images, but doesn't index CSS images."

Now, the line reads, "Using semantic HTML markup helps crawlers find and process images. Google parses the HTML img elements (even when they're enclosed in other elements such as picture elements) in your pages to index images, but doesn't index CSS images."

Here is the before and after screenshots (before on right, after on left):

click for full size

On another note, Google also updated the alt text and filenames in the examples to be more descriptive.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: January 19, 2026

Jan 19, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google

Google AI Overviews Powered By Gemini 3 Pro For Complex Queries

Jan 19, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google News

Google Is Appealing Its Search Monopoly Ruling & Asks To Pause Remedies

Jan 19, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Warns On Hosting With Free Subdomain Hosts

Jan 19, 2026 - 7:31 am
Other Search Engines

OpenAI Will Soon Test Ads On ChatGPT

Jan 19, 2026 - 7:21 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Comments Link Spam Has No Effect On SEO/Search

Jan 19, 2026 - 7:11 am
 
Previous Story: Google To Sunset Google Optimize On September 30, 2023