SEO for Artists: A Non-Techy Guide to Raise Your Visibility Online

Why SEO Matters for Artists

Imagine a collector searching for “blue abstract painting for coastal home.” If your artwork fits that description, will they find you, or will they land on another artist’s site instead?

That’s where SEO, or search engine optimization, comes in. It’s about connecting the words people type into search engines with the words you use on your website. Instead of focusing on coding or complex tools, just describe your art in clear, natural language so collectors and search engines can recognize it.

When your page titles, artwork descriptions, and blog posts use the same phrases your audience is searching for, like “large abstract painting for office” or “blue watercolor of sailboats”, you’re far more likely to show up in their results.

The Three Basics of Artist SEO

You don’t need to know all the technical details to start using SEO. If you focus on these three basics, you’ll be far ahead of most artists online:

1. Keywords = The Words They Use

Think like your buyers, not just like an artist. You might describe a painting as “mixed media on Yupo,” but a collector may be searching for “abstract landscape wall art.” Use those collector-friendly words in your artwork titles, descriptions, and blog posts. Keep your art terms, too, but lead with the words that connect.

2. Structure = Make It Easy to Navigate

Search engines (and people) love clarity. Use straightforward page titles like “Original Paintings,” “Prints,” and “About the Artist.” On each artwork page, include the basics: title, size, medium, and a short description. And don’t skip alt text for the image. Describe your artwork the same way you’d describe it to a friend over the phone.

3. Consistency = Keep Adding Fresh Content

Search engines notice when websites go quiet. You don’t need to blog daily or upload new work constantly, but do keep things moving. Post new artwork, add a short update, or publish a blog once or twice a month. Think of it as gently nudging your site to stay alive in search results.

Simple SEO steps You Can take This Week

Here are a few easy steps you can take right now to leverage SEO.

• Rename your image files before uploading. Swap "IMG_1234.jpg" for "blue-abstract-watercolor-painting.jpg".
  

• Update one artwork description. Insert a phrase like "perfect for coastal homes" or "sailboat painting for lake house décor."
  

• Review your About Page. Clearly state who you are, the art you create, and how to buy or view it.
  

• Write a short blog post. Share 300 words on your artistic inspiration or give a quick behind-the-scenes look.

Small, steady actions add up and can make your website more visible without overwhelming you.

SEO Can Help, But It Isn’t Everything

SEO can help you get found, but it won’t do all the work for you. Art isn’t like buying shoes or kitchen gadgets, where someone types in a product name, clicks, and makes a purchase. Collectors often make decisions based on connections and emotion - things a search engine can’t provide on its own.

Don’t rely solely on SEO, waiting for the right person to stumble onto your site. Instead, think of it as one part of a larger visibility system. Keep showing up where your collectors already spend time:

• Email your list, even if it’s small.

• Share your story on social media.

• Pitch to galleries or local media.

• Build relationships in your community.
  

Those proactive steps are often what spark real interest and purchases. SEO simply strengthens that foundation, making sure when people look you up, you’re easy to find.

SEO as a Visibility Support Tool

SEO is one more way to tell your story and make sure people can find you. You don’t need to chase every algorithm change. What matters is that you use words collectors understand, keep your website easy to navigate, and update it with new content from time to time.

When you combine these small SEO steps with proactive visibility, such as sending emails, posting your work, and reaching out to opportunities, you create multiple paths for people to discover you. Some may find you through a Google search, but many will connect through the stories and relationships you build.

So, instead of thinking of SEO as a big technical hurdle, treat it like another tool in your toolkit. Use it regularly, keep it simple, and let it support the bigger picture of sharing your art with the world.

Taking Action:

Take one small action this week - rename an image file, update a description, or write a short post. Then, let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what you try and what results you see.

And if you’d like ongoing tips like this, plus real stories about what’s working for artists right now, subscribe to my weekly newsletter here.  It's where I share practical strategies to help you get your art in front of the right people.