Visual Evidence: Photos and Screenshots That Prove You've Used the Product
Original images—photos you took yourself, screenshots from your actual usage—are among the strongest Experience signals in EEAT. They prove you had physical access to the product and actually used the software. Stock photos and manufacturer images don't demonstrate experience; original visuals do. AI systems increasingly distinguish between the two.
Key Takeaways
- • Original images prove physical interaction with products
- • Screenshots demonstrate actual software usage
- • Phone photos are fine—authenticity beats production quality
- • Alt text matters: Describe the experience, not just the object
Why Original Images Matter #
Anyone can copy manufacturer photos. Only someone who actually has the product can take:
- The product on their desk, in their environment
- Close-ups of specific features they're discussing
- Comparison shots with other products they own
- Before/after images from their testing
- Screenshots of their actual usage and results
How AI Evaluates Images #
AI systems can identify image authenticity through several signals:
- Alt text content: “My photo of...” vs generic descriptions
- Image context: Unique backgrounds, personal environments
- Filename patterns: IMG_1234.jpg vs product-name-official.png
- EXIF data: Camera info, timestamps (when preserved)
- Reverse image search: Is this image used elsewhere?
Types of Visual Evidence #
Product Photos #
Physical products should have:
- Unboxing shots: Product fresh from packaging
- In-use photos: Product in your actual environment
- Detail shots: Close-ups of features you discuss
- Comparison photos: Side-by-side with competitors or previous versions
- Wear photos: How it looks after weeks/months of use
Example: Laptop Review Photos
- Laptop on your actual desk setup
- Screen displaying your real work
- Ports and connectivity in use
- Keyboard and trackpad close-up
- Thickness comparison with your previous laptop
Screenshots #
For software, apps, and services:
- Dashboard views: Your actual account, data blurred if needed
- Feature demonstrations: The specific features you're reviewing
- Results screenshots: Output from your actual usage
- Error messages: If discussing issues, show them
- Before/after: Results of using the tool
Data Visualizations #
When you have original test data:
- Charts: Your benchmark results
- Graphs: Performance over time from your testing
- Tables: Comparison data you collected
- Infographics: Summarizing your findings
Photo Quality: Authenticity vs. Production Value #
Here's a counterintuitive truth: authenticity beats production quality.
Professional But Generic
Perfect lighting, white background, looks like it's from the manufacturer.
Could be anyone's photo—or the product page.
Amateur But Authentic
Your messy desk, natural lighting, your coffee cup in frame.
Clearly YOUR environment. Proves real ownership.
Good Enough Quality #
Your photos should be:
- Clear: Subject is in focus and visible
- Relevant: Shows what you're discussing
- Authentic: Clearly from your environment
- Sized appropriately: Large enough to see details (800px+ width)
They don't need to be:
- Professionally lit
- Color-corrected
- Taken with expensive cameras
- Perfect composition
Writing Alt Text That Signals Experience #
Alt text is both an accessibility requirement and an experience signal. Write alt text that conveys your first-hand involvement:
Alt Text Examples #
Generic (Weak):
alt="MacBook Pro laptop"
Experience-Rich (Strong):
alt="My MacBook Pro M3 on my home office desk showing Final Cut Pro timeline during my video editing workflow"
Alt Text Patterns That Signal Experience #
- “My [product]...” — ownership signal
- “Screenshot of my [dashboard/results]...” — usage signal
- “Photo I took of...” — authorship signal
- “[Product] after 3 months of use...” — duration signal
- “Comparison of [X] and [Y] on my desk...” — ownership + testing signal
The Stock Photo Problem #
Stock photos and manufacturer images don't demonstrate experience:
- They're not unique: Used on hundreds of other sites
- They don't prove ownership: Anyone can download them
- They're often idealized: Don't show real-world usage
- AI can identify them: Reverse image search finds duplicates
When Stock Photos Are Acceptable #
Stock photos can be appropriate for:
- Decorative headers: Not claiming experience
- Concept illustrations: Abstract ideas, not product reviews
- Historical content: Products you can't access
- Supplementary visuals: Alongside original images
But for product reviews and experience-based content, original images are essential.
Best Practices for Visual Evidence #
How Many Images? #
For experience-based content, aim for:
- Product reviews: 5+ original images minimum
- Software reviews: 3+ screenshots minimum
- How-to guides: Step-by-step screenshots
- Comparison articles: Side-by-side photos of both products
File Naming #
Use descriptive file names:
Good: macbook-pro-m3-desk-setup-review.jpg Good: notion-dashboard-screenshot-project-view.png Bad: IMG_4521.jpg Bad: screenshot.png
Image Captions #
Add captions that provide context:
<p className="article-image-caption"> My home office setup after 3 months with the MacBook Pro M3. The external display is connected via Thunderbolt. </p>
Frequently Asked Questions #
Should I blur personal information in screenshots? #
Yes, blur sensitive data (names, emails, financial info). The screenshot still demonstrates usage—blurring doesn't reduce its value as an experience signal.
Can I edit my photos? #
Basic editing (cropping, brightness, annotations) is fine. Don't misrepresent the product. Adding arrows to highlight features is helpful. Photoshopping out flaws is deceptive.
Can I use photos from old reviews? #
If you're reviewing the same product or a direct comparison, yes. Make sure it's clear these are your photos from actual testing, even if from a previous period.
Product Manager at Seenos.ai. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.