Naming graphics for the web

does it matter how short or long the file name is?

[Googly]

I have been using quite long and descriptive file names for my jpgs and gifs and was just wondering if this has any effect on the loading speed of images? Or maybe the complete url of the file - if that is long will it inhibit loading time?

Cheers

[BlobFisk]

I don't think that it will have any effect on the browser request to the server for the image, but long lengths will add a little bit of weight to your html page. Each character in your image name will add a byte to your overall html page size.

A thread on something similar here [webmasterworld.com].

[grahamstewart]

Not really likely to make any significant difference to the size of your html files unless you take it to extremes or you have a page with loads of pictures on it.

The advantage might be that a descriptive name should get you get better hits from people looking for particular images (e.g. those using the google image search).

But then of course you have to watch out for people stealing or hotlinking the images they like. :)

[Googly]

Thanks just puts my mind at ease a bit.

[korkus2000]

>>descriptive file names

These are the best. And don't forget about google image search. I use it to find better pictures of products sometimes finding a better deal at the site and purchasing there.

[Oaf357]

If these descriptive names include keywords then great.