Improving Hub Articles with Photos and Videos

1. 70

   Miebakagh57posted 3 years ago

   Three photos are a minimum requirement for an article at HP. The use of one video I think is not idea. Let's brain storm, right?

   replyreport
   1. 96

      theraggededgeposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      No, there is no three photo requirement. Some articles are fine with one. It depends if the topic is visual or not. There's no point shoehorning unnecessary images in unless the article is very long or demands illustration.
      
      I rarely bother with videos because sometimes they glitch and people who read articles do so because they, like me, find it quicker to read than to watch. However, if an article relies on a specific procedure, then a video may well be helpful.

      replyreport
      1. 93

         OldRosesposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         I agree.  I write about gardening so I aim for 3 or more photos because they clarify what I am saying about whatever plant I am talking about.  It makes sense that other topics that are less visual need fewer photos.

         replyreport
         1. 70

            Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

            OldRose welcome home. A story less visual or more visual can mean many things to different minds. How do you explain that? How do one explain visual writing? Descriptive in detail? Thanks.

            replyreport
            1. 96

               theraggededgeposted 3 years agoin reply to this

               It's about the topic. Think about these:
               
               Legal advice
               How to write an article
               A political opinion piece
               How to draw a dog
               How to bake a birthday cake
               How to plant beans
               
               Picture an article about each of those subjects. Three of them don't need more than one image (though, of course, it's at the writer's discretion).
               
               The other three depend on photos to add information - those three are 'visual' topics.

               replyreport
               1. 70

                  Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

                  Bev, that's okay. I agreed that a polical opinion takes a photo or not. But a topic like bean will be more illustrative and pictorial. Thanks.

                  replyreport
      2. 70

         Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Okay, Bev, at the Hupages learning center, I've noted 3 pix as a minimum. In effect, you are saying a writer in his opinion, discretion can do away with them? Depending on the description he/she treat the article? I am yet to see any story or poem without an illustration.

         replyreport
         1. 96

            theraggededgeposted 3 years agoin reply to this

            Miebakagh57, I'm sure it was a suggestion, not a rule. A thousand word article about accountancy doesn't require more than one image - and that's just to get attention at the top of the piece.
            
            A three thousand word article about keeping rabbits would definitely need at least three photos and probably more.
            
            It's what feels and looks right for the article. It's possible to break up the text with other elements, such as call-out capsules to give a visual balance.

            replyreport
            1. 70

               Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

               Bev, thank you. It's great. It is homely.

               replyreport
      3. 84

         samanthacubbisonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         There is no rule—it's all about what works for your article! I agree with @theraggededge. If the topic isn't visual, I think using generic stock photos just adds clutter to the article.

         replyreport
   2. 72

      manatita44posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      I don't see it that way, but I will say to talk with writers whose scores are usually in the nineties. I personally am more of a servant and strive to inspire with good thoughts. God hasn't given me the competitive Spirit nor the one that seeks to get on with diligence and accuracy. I am more 'feel from the Heart' and less mental.
      
      That said, I'm good at logic. If your photos do not disobey Hubpages rules, are original or well sourced, then you are on your way. You have spoken of writing up to 2000 words, so yes, three or more photos are useful.
      
      It helps if you utilize them well within the text capsules and your paragraphs are about six or so lines long. Easier to read. Polls and videos, one or two, will also help you, but relate them to the subject matter.
      
      What you write should appeal to the reader, be impactful and flow, like a river. Some topical areas are health and social factors, emotive concerns or creative writing, like Bill's. Emotive concerns can be 'how to deal with fear and loneliness; the subject of prejudice in society ...
      
      Writing styles are unique and it may be useful to read some top American and English Writers. This will help your work  even in a subtle way. One or even two videos are fine and please ... please re-read the piece. God speed!

      replyreport
      1. 70

         Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Manatita, okay, impactive and flow like a river. That great for my target 2000 words plus. Thank you and remain blessed.

         replyreport
         1. 72

            manatita44posted 3 years agoin reply to this

            'Impactful and flow, like a river.' You see what I mean? Re-reading is essential for those who wish to excel. - Manatita

            replyreport
2. 93

   AliciaCposted 3 years ago

   I agree with theraggededge. Articles don’t require a minimum of three photos. I’m sure that HubPages wants our articles to look visually interesting instead of being of a wall of unvarying text, but there are multiple ways to create interest.
   
   Some of my articles on the network sites have only two photos because they were the only suitable ones that I could find, but I tried to add interest to the page in other ways. I remember a former staff member here saying that one photo was fine for some articles while others required more.

   replyreport
   1. 70

      Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Alicia, let's have you thoughts on 'visually interesting.' I learnt if a story is too long say 2000 words as Manatita says, could a single picture be an achieve? You own us the explaination.

      replyreport
      1. 72

         manatita44posted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Take your time when you write and also re-read. Evaluate with a logical mind also. Don't rush!
         
         I'm here because you seem to express a desire to improve your work and by so doing, your Hub score also. To do this, you will need an attentive and discerning mind and much diligence. God speed!

         replyreport
         1. 70

            Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

            Manatita, thank you.

            replyreport
      2. 93

         AliciaCposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Hi, Miebakagh. I was thinking of things like point form, numbers, tables, callouts, and H3 headings. They could make an article look visually interesting. It’s very important not to overuse these techniques, however, or the article will look like a big mess. Using too many of them, cramming them into a short article, or using them where they aren’t appropriate would be a bad idea.

         replyreport
         1. 70

            Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

            Alicia, got it.

            replyreport
3. 93

   FatFreddysCatposted 3 years ago

   I've never heard that 3 was a "minimum" for photos. Most of the articles I post use just one, or two at the very most.

   replyreport
   1. 70

      Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      FatFreddy, at the hubpages learning center it was so stated. Thanks.

      replyreport
4. 96

   eugbugposted 3 years ago

   I probably use excessive numbers of photos in articles, however the best performing ones have 20 photos or more.

   replyreport
   1. 70

      Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      eugbug, okay, sooner or later. I'll visit your page for a proof.

      replyreport
5. 96

   Eurofileposted 3 years ago

   I enjoy photography and find it useful to add photos to my travel articles to illustrate what I am writing about. But I agree that not every article requires photos. It depends on the subject matter.
   I rarely use videos. I thought I might be able to use my own, so I took some last time I was travelling, but then found that I couldn't upload them.

   replyreport
6. 72

   Isivwe Muoboposted 3 years ago

   I read an seo piece one time that stated making use of at least three resolution images, a video as well as a few other tips, boosts the chances of your articles ranking higher in searches.
   
   I feel there must be some truth to this as I have seen some positive results from search engines on a few of my articles, even after just 24 hours of publishing them.

   replyreport
7. 96

   eugbugposted 3 years ago

   I wonder does Google give brownie points for increasing the number of photos and then deduct them if there's too many?

   replyreport
   1. 72

      manatita44posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Stands to reason. I rather suspect here that the key thing is presentation --making the work visually interesting, impactful and of use to the reader. So if you had 6 photos in a well organized article: right paragraph size, enough text capsules, videos, poll ... about 1250 - 2000 words, it should not matter.
      
      All should relate to your theme of 'How to Cool Down on a Very Hot Day' or whatever, then it should be fine. If, however, you have six photos and just one poem, well ... you can see the imbalance, no?
      
      These guys are interested in creative writers, who can make their visual presentations worthy enough to please an international audience and their paymasters.
      
      So yes, brownie points may be considered, I feel. You want them to be as happy with what and how you write; how you present it to them, like a great meal. Delicioso!

      replyreport
8. 55

   Archana Gurunathanposted 3 years ago

   I agree.  I write about gardening so I aim for 3 or more photos because they clarify what I am saying about whatever plant I am talking about.  It makes sense that other topics that are less visual need fewer photos.

   replyreport