Why do photography websites score so low compared to other industries?

Photography sites are built to show visual work. But AI engines process text. A site with 200 stunning images and 50 words of text scores low because AI has nothing to read or cite. The sites aren't bad — they're just built for human eyes, not AI.

Will adding text content hurt the look of a photography site?

No. The best photography sites balance both. Place text alongside or below galleries. A wedding gallery page with 3 paragraphs about the venue and the couple's story gives AI content to cite. It also improves the human experience.

What is the fastest way for a photographer to improve AI visibility?

Start by creating a pricing page and one 'How to Choose a Photographer' guide with FAQ schema. These two pages target the highest-volume queries. Add alt text to your top 50 portfolio images as a second step.

What is the AISO score?

The AISO score is defined as a weighted measure of four dimensions: AI Engine Optimization (30%), SEO (20%), Readability (25%), and Engagement (25%). It rates how ready a website is for both search engines and AI answer engines.

What is AEO and why does it matter for photographers?

AEO refers to AI Engine Optimization — how well your content can be found and cited by AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overview. For photographers, low AEO means AI can't recommend your studio when people ask about local photographers.

How do photography sites compare to other creative industries?

Photography (55/100) scores below film production (57) and on par with music and performing arts (55). Creative industries all struggle with AI visibility because they prioritize visual or audio content over text.

What content should a photography website have besides portfolio images?

At minimum: a pricing page with packages, an About page with your story and style, individual gallery pages with written descriptions, 5-10 guide posts answering common questions, and alt text on every image.

How important is image alt text for photography websites?

Very. Alt text serves two purposes: it makes your site accessible to screen readers and it tells search engines what's in each image. 'Bride and groom at sunset, [Venue] wedding' is far more useful than 'photo1' or no alt text at all.

Photography Websites Look Stunning. AI Search Engines Can't See Any of It.

All 365 Audited Sites

Domains are partially blurred. Scores range from 0 to 100.

#	Domain	AISO	Grade	AEO	SEO	Read.	Eng.
1	gig*****.com	77	B	60	97	88	69
2	studio**********.com	77	B	75	94	79	62
3	stud*******.org	76	B	61	98	91	60
4	photo*********.com	72	B	60	85	93	53
5	reve*****.studio	72	B	53	94	92	57
6	rvre******.com	71	B	48	97	95	55
7	tag*****.com	71	B	53	100	83	57
8	the8ths***********.com	71	B	48	87	92	64
9	madstudi*************.photo	71	B	52	99	87	57
10	daveze*********.com	71	B	40	87	91	74
11	rebeccaka**************.com	71	B	52	99	92	50
12	studi*********.com	70	B	48	85	91	64
13	photos*********.com	70	B	38	100	87	69
14	creativ***********.com	70	B	46	87	82	75
15	denverph*************.com	69	C	60	84	90	47
16	fromth*********.com	69	C	50	98	78	59
17	bostons***********.com	69	C	40	97	85	66
18	lovelyp************.com	69	C	52	92	92	47
19	thead*******.com	69	C	48	99	85	56
20	kensing*************.com	69	C	61	80	75	62
21	unlmt*******.com	68	C	56	94	78	52
22	filmg********.com	68	C	56	91	73	59
23	studio2*************.com	68	C	42	93	87	59
24	studio**********.com	68	C	48	82	90	57
25	jamesmah*************.com	68	C	52	94	76	57
26	soultreep****************.com	68	C	40	98	93	52
27	highlig************.com	68	C	40	97	85	62
28	thefif***********.com	68	C	42	95	88	57
29	wayma*******.com	68	C	30	97	85	72
30	melod********.com	68	C	60	89	81	47
31	thestud***********.com	67	C	38	99	91	54
32	leah*****.photography	67	C	52	95	80	51
33	coyle*******.com	67	C	40	97	81	63
34	york******.com	67	C	52	100	95	30
35	lacean***********.com	67	C	40	92	83	62
36	smashs***********.com	67	C	63	77	96	35
37	ashleyc*************.com	67	C	48	84	88	57
38	sipn*******.com	67	C	65	99	77	35
39	thewind***********.com	66	C	46	93	82	54
40	bookwi**********.com	66	C	50	89	81	52
41	littles***********.com	66	C	38	95	82	61
42	roberts***********.com	66	C	48	85	97	40
43	mistu********.com	66	C	32	99	89	57
44	joypho*********.squarespace.com	66	C	48	70	93	59
45	urban*********.com	66	C	30	95	91	62
46	thecreati****************.com	66	C	40	94	85	56
47	lbstudi*************.com	65	C	56	83	80	47
48	studi*********.com	65	C	48	95	91	37
49	luxury***********.com	65	C	48	90	83	49
50	addis*******.com	65	C	30	100	87	56
51	cbst*******.com	65	C	30	95	91	57
52	lockho**********.com	65	C	48	94	92	37
53	thestu**********.com	65	C	38	95	90	47
54	so***.co	65	C	40	97	82	51
55	frick*******.com	65	C	40	93	94	42
56	nort*****.studio	65	C	37	80	90	62
57	zu***.co	65	C	46	82	82	57
58	thepho*********.com	65	C	42	85	91	52
59	paigen***********.com	65	C	40	94	84	53
60	tssph*********.com	65	C	48	85	83	53
61	aty***.com	65	C	35	99	91	46
62	angielans**************.com	64	C	42	89	93	40
63	blkst********.com	64	C	30	92	91	57
64	expres***********.net	64	C	48	92	91	34
65	willowg***********.com	64	C	50	99	84	33
66	ellagag***********.com	64	C	25	95	90	59
67	thelit*********.com	64	C	38	97	87	44
68	stud******.com	64	C	28	90	90	59
69	cheetah************.com	64	C	40	96	81	52
70	loves*********.com	64	C	56	98	55	57
71	thet*******.com	64	C	48	80	91	43
72	lemond**********.com	64	C	40	94	81	53
73	vacreat*************.com	64	C	38	80	88	57
74	dcbac********.com	64	C	25	95	86	62
75	loveand***********.com	64	C	42	92	88	42
76	photof***********.com	63	C	30	100	79	55
77	epigr********.com	63	C	40	97	70	56
78	sugarhi*************.com	63	C	47	79	96	35
79	shanno***********.com	63	C	30	92	94	49
80	scottvo***********.com	63	C	48	92	75	47
81	imprint*************.com	63	C	60	87	82	30
82	studio**********.com	63	C	48	95	85	35
83	saywo*********.com	63	C	56	77	66	58
84	head******.com	63	C	30	94	86	53
85	pac*****.studio	62	C	45	82	80	47
86	studioage***************.com	62	C	30	95	83	52
87	uds*****.com	62	C	37	95	81	45
88	milesto*************.com	62	C	40	100	79	42
89	mai*****.com	62	C	48	83	87	36
90	crystalts**************.com	62	C	43	89	88	37
91	brainer************.com	62	C	40	78	83	53
92	targe*******.com	62	C	40	99	80	42
93	maggieswe**************.com	62	C	38	100	80	42
94	maddi*********.com	62	C	42	85	90	40
95	thes*******.com	62	C	35	70	90	59
96	studi*********.net	62	C	38	97	79	45
97	fdpho********.com	61	C	42	100	67	47
98	ampers***********.com	61	C	52	87	80	33
99	forever************.com	61	C	40	77	89	45
100	aleccasyn****************.com	61	C	30	85	84	55
101	jwps*****.net	61	C	40	80	89	42
102	focusp**********.com	61	C	20	95	88	54
103	rockh********.com	61	C	38	90	81	45
104	these********.com	61	C	38	80	85	49
105	laurenche**************.com	61	C	38	85	95	35
106	theluxe*************.com	61	C	38	81	95	40
107	mbsk*******.com	61	C	38	97	92	30
108	thelof**********.com	61	C	40	92	83	41
109	smithstud**************.com	61	C	42	89	87	35
110	the0*******.com	61	C	30	94	84	49
111	thege********.com	60	C	40	94	88	28
112	sand*****.photography	60	C	40	78	79	50
113	the-l*********.com	60	C	40	98	87	26
114	greentang****************.com	60	C	48	72	89	36
115	carri*********.com	60	C	42	87	78	40
116	bruckne*************.org	60	C	46	81	76	45
117	studi*********.com	60	C	28	97	82	47
118	sammi*********.com	60	C	40	82	86	42
119	theda********.com	60	C	30	80	96	43
120	canvasc************.com	60	C	30	77	89	52
121	lest*******.com	60	C	38	99	71	45
122	riveted***********.com	60	C	35	85	83	47
123	neww******.com	60	C	30	90	75	55
124	orendo**********.com	60	C	40	95	72	42
125	wmai*******.com	60	C	40	93	86	31
126	waybrig*************.com	60	C	52	85	52	58
127	heart*******.photography	59	D	30	88	90	40
128	karentr************.com	59	D	38	89	85	33
129	petalp*********.com	59	D	30	100	60	59
130	thevanity**************.com	59	D	38	72	85	49
131	somewh***********.com	59	D	48	65	82	45
132	mypixe**********.com	59	D	33	85	63	64
133	asph******.com	59	D	30	100	72	47
134	studi********.com	59	D	35	75	86	48
135	lightb***********.com	59	D	30	87	90	42
136	selfie***********.com	59	D	38	65	92	48
137	lukepr**********.com	59	D	38	72	90	42
138	ldst******.com	59	D	38	94	83	34
139	millstreet*****************.com	59	D	40	89	80	37
140	bluero*********.com	59	D	35	80	81	48
141	pinkowl***********.com	59	D	25	84	91	47
142	thefou*********.com	59	D	40	75	84	45
143	coppera************.com	59	D	40	80	88	34
144	makle*******.com	59	D	35	52	89	64
145	hopeli*********.com	59	D	38	80	86	42
146	albri*********.com	59	D	40	86	74	47
147	foxan*******.com	59	D	42	85	83	35
148	oregon***********.com	59	D	40	92	63	52
149	vuena*******.com	59	D	38	89	94	26
150	holla********.net	59	D	36	82	81	47
151	noir*****.co	59	D	30	65	94	53
152	sixpen*********.co	59	D	42	89	82	34
153	jamessto**************.com	59	D	40	92	64	52
154	prop******.com	59	D	40	92	76	40
155	studi********.com	58	D	40	65	96	35
156	bentonv***********.com	58	D	28	92	90	36
157	visio*********.com	58	D	25	82	89	47
158	the-stu***********.com	58	D	25	87	92	41
159	flax*******.com	58	D	25	87	95	38
160	studi********.net	58	D	30	80	89	42
161	imag*****.studio	58	D	38	72	81	48
162	goldan***********.com	58	D	38	78	89	36
163	brookeelis****************.com	58	D	42	90	51	59
164	countr**********.com	58	D	35	93	74	42
165	bohemia***********.com	58	D	38	77	78	45
166	millya*********.com	58	D	25	97	78	47
167	mas***.com	58	D	38	94	70	42
168	fran******.com	58	D	25	68	91	55
169	theap********.com	58	D	35	82	83	41
170	immorta*************.com	58	D	38	94	79	34
171	westli**********.com	58	D	25	97	77	47
172	forre*******.com	58	D	25	90	88	42
173	fotoma**********.com	58	D	40	77	79	42
174	thest*******.com	57	D	42	84	67	42
175	bkros*******.com	57	D	25	97	76	44
176	richar**********.com	57	D	40	94	81	24
177	idahoi***********.com	57	D	20	98	82	45
178	cedarand**************.com	57	D	35	77	86	40
179	melissabr***************.com	57	D	30	95	63	51
180	littles************.com	57	D	30	87	84	39
181	commons***********.com	57	D	35	73	92	35
182	imagea*********.com	57	D	25	83	83	47
183	yourda**********.com	57	D	40	98	73	30
184	thecon**********.us	57	D	40	92	68	37
185	willow***********.com	57	D	40	65	84	42
186	studio*********.com	57	D	30	100	60	52
187	sages*********.com	57	D	30	94	87	30
188	northernl****************.com	57	D	25	99	85	33
189	iamcre**********.com	57	D	35	60	96	42
190	blueberry***************.net	56	D	33	77	93	30
191	maqs******.com	56	D	40	90	60	45
192	sunri*******.studio	56	D	38	65	75	51
193	wonderland******************.com	56	D	35	60	90	43
194	jessic***********.com	56	D	20	70	93	50
195	house*******.com	56	D	30	82	78	45
196	hawaiianl**************.com	56	D	35	80	71	48
197	stud*****.com	56	D	30	97	86	24
198	photog*********.com	56	D	48	98	31	55
199	hudsonr***********.com	56	D	35	79	83	37
200	shootin*************.com	56	D	35	87	88	24
201	akronp***********.com	56	D	35	83	80	37
202	bechan*********.com	56	D	40	80	85	27
203	ivorytr***********.com	56	D	54	85	60	30
204	theoa********.com	56	D	30	80	85	37
205	junip*********.com	56	D	38	85	84	28
206	fall*******.com	56	D	30	100	90	18
207	creela**********.com	56	D	37	89	79	31
208	facet********.studio	56	D	30	95	60	52
209	akel******.com	55	D	35	52	97	41
210	kind*****.com	55	D	30	88	85	29
211	parlo*********.com	55	D	30	80	93	28
212	lvps******.com	55	D	38	75	79	34
213	studiou***********.com	55	D	38	86	76	30
214	jrhod********.com	55	D	30	90	79	34
215	nhpho*********.com	55	D	28	94	70	43
216	picpe*********.com	55	D	40	75	83	30
217	lionhe*********.info	55	D	38	88	92	10
218	bellaf**********.net	55	D	30	99	68	35
219	thelof***********.com	55	D	27	87	71	47
220	thes*******.com	55	D	37	70	91	29
221	birchw*********.com	55	D	38	80	80	31
222	thompson**************.com	55	D	35	73	90	30
223	ironsid************.com	54	D	35	67	82	37
224	ctphoto************.com	54	D	25	67	96	35
225	jcppo*******.com	54	D	33	88	52	54
226	bymus********.com	54	D	25	72	77	52
227	mainli*********.net	54	D	35	55	88	41
228	theport************.com	54	D	35	80	78	30
229	mercys***********.com	54	D	35	80	81	30
230	thetif**********.com	54	D	35	72	71	47
231	studiokde***************.com	54	D	25	79	94	27
232	stu*****.com	54	D	28	95	82	23
233	kin****.kirasavagephoto.com	54	D	30	90	75	33
234	formap**********.com	54	D	30	84	76	37
235	yellowt*************.com	54	D	30	72	83	40
236	ourleg**********.com	54	D	30	85	61	52
237	dand******.com	54	D	53	99	10	64
238	rosean***********.com	54	D	25	83	90	30
239	mstu******.com	54	D	30	90	86	23
240	stabo********.com	54	D	25	92	79	33
241	modern**********.com	54	D	35	82	79	31
242	goldeng***********.biz	54	D	38	85	71	30
243	eato******.com	54	D	33	84	85	23
244	thestu**********.com	54	D	30	90	73	34
245	elliot*********.com	54	D	38	87	78	23
246	senecac***********.com	54	D	25	90	61	54
247	thest*********.com	53	D	35	62	95	26
248	fatestu*************.com	53	D	30	57	89	42
249	theju*********.com	53	D	30	87	80	28
250	kairosp*************.com	53	D	30	89	55	51
251	themai*********.com	53	D	28	75	77	40
252	broduc***********.com	53	D	40	94	78	10
253	brasstacks*****************.com	53	D	28	73	88	30
254	dayli*********.com	53	D	25	77	91	28
255	cods*******.com	53	D	35	89	87	10
256	asthe*******.com	52	D	35	60	77	40
257	emilyquig**************.com	52	D	23	73	88	35
258	tone******.com	52	D	43	70	78	24
259	bookvi**********.com	52	D	30	92	67	30
260	8**.studio	52	D	35	60	86	30
261	everm********.marissaelisecampbell.com	52	D	30	73	82	33
262	vividpho**************.com	52	D	25	79	81	35
263	thestudi*************.com	52	D	35	89	72	23
264	marklawre****************.com	52	D	20	85	75	41
265	tumblest*************.com	52	D	58	95	10	51
266	radiantst**************.com	52	D	30	87	78	25
267	studi*********.com	52	D	30	82	73	33
268	petits***********.com	51	D	30	75	65	42
269	bright*********.com	51	D	30	73	88	23
270	ndweddi************.com	51	D	35	70	75	30
271	elan*******.com	51	D	40	98	48	30
272	saratouc**************.com	51	D	40	83	71	18
273	mikewin***********.com	51	D	40	94	35	47
274	stud*****.info	50	D	42	93	10	67
275	alittle***********.com	50	D	28	79	79	23
276	timessqu**************.com	50	D	30	92	40	52
277	legacy*********.com	50	D	30	70	65	42
278	rlp****.com	50	D	28	77	71	33
279	andreamma***************.com	50	D	25	77	85	23
280	jacksonhole******************.com	50	D	35	73	78	23
281	fusioned*************.com	49	F	30	63	68	42
282	kansascity*****************.com	49	F	25	69	66	45
283	paperci*************.com	49	F	40	93	56	18
284	movingmo**************.com	49	F	30	60	79	34
285	newim*********.com	49	F	35	84	41	45
286	nilesc**********.com	49	F	25	68	81	30
287	kickt*********.com	49	F	40	94	62	10
288	loveal**********.com	48	F	20	80	58	45
289	blackan************.com	48	F	40	94	38	30
290	hedgeco*************.com	48	F	5	90	95	17
291	dcstu*********.com	48	F	35	60	70	30
292	sdlcrea***********.com	48	F	20	90	46	50
293	thes*******.com	47	F	25	50	100	18
294	jmika*********.com	47	F	35	65	75	18
295	elit*****.com	47	F	25	90	59	25
296	theli*********.com	47	F	25	55	85	28
297	studio*********.com	46	F	25	72	55	42
298	theyar**********.camerontheyard.com	46	F	30	60	70	31
299	marbles***********.com	46	F	35	90	32	37
300	imagin**********.com	46	F	5	72	94	27
301	oconnorph***************.com	46	F	35	72	47	37
302	greenb*********.com	46	F	35	72	56	27
303	dore******.com	45	F	20	60	54	52
304	dream*********.vision	45	F	30	30	94	25
305	birdi*********.com	45	F	43	87	12	47
306	hnls******.com	45	F	33	87	10	62
307	threet***********.co	45	F	30	90	53	18
308	leannaj*************.com	45	F	42	89	10	47
309	athena***********.com	45	F	30	30	94	25
310	johnbo**********.com	45	F	25	72	64	27
311	lighthous****************.com	45	F	25	90	54	25
312	timray***********.com	45	F	20	92	30	53
313	kenma*******.com	45	F	20	99	36	40
314	franklin*************.com	44	F	20	88	39	43
315	cityst**********.com	44	F	52	83	10	38
316	photogen*************.com	44	F	30	82	34	41
317	thestu*********.com	44	F	35	93	10	49
318	nestph*********.com	44	F	40	100	10	37
319	studio**********.com	44	F	35	82	39	30
320	saltme**********.com	43	F	43	79	22	35
321	darkhorsep*****************.com	43	F	35	68	48	28
322	creativ*************.com	43	F	30	81	39	33
323	atelie*********.co	43	F	30	78	47	28
324	bartles***********.com	43	F	30	87	26	42
325	vcp****.org	43	F	30	96	14	47
326	haute*********.com	42	F	20	60	79	18
327	lifelongp****************.com	42	F	42	60	35	35
328	fin*****.uky.edu	42	F	25	70	51	30
329	theph*********.com	42	F	38	67	20	47
330	johnn*******.com	42	F	5	55	90	26
331	rive*******.com	42	F	25	87	32	35
332	casto*******.com	42	F	30	98	17	37
333	studio**********.com	41	F	30	95	19	31
334	mainepho**************.com	41	F	25	77	10	64
335	artof*********.org	41	F	43	75	10	41
336	robinsnest*****************.com	41	F	25	89	36	27
337	homes*********.com	40	F	30	90	20	30
338	fot****.com	40	F	30	87	19	35
339	melissabade******************.com	40	F	5	80	72	17
340	pix****.studio	39	F	23	55	50	35
341	thelof**********.com	39	F	40	65	35	22
342	jholdt*********.com	39	F	5	43	97	17
343	jclar********.com	38	F	25	87	10	41
344	idahop***********.com	36	F	20	85	10	40
345	illin*******.com	36	F	25	69	10	48
346	hullp********.com	36	F	25	72	10	46
347	graysca***********.com	36	F	25	80	29	20
348	whitesp*************.com	36	F	30	89	10	28
349	dragon***********.com	36	F	28	84	16	28
350	studi*********.co	35	F	30	72	10	35
351	duro*******.com	35	F	25	84	10	33
352	modern***********.com	34	F	20	100	10	22
353	todd*******.com	34	F	25	75	10	37
354	stud******.com	34	F	33	48	36	22
355	smithp***********.com	34	F	38	78	10	18
356	sunris**********.com	33	F	5	57	74	5
357	barcl*********.com	33	F	25	63	10	41
358	jordan***********.com	32	F	5	60	51	22
359	fps*****.net	30	F	5	90	38	5
360	studi*********.com	29	F	10	72	10	37
361	thestud***********.com	29	F	25	60	21	18
362	perrym*********.com	25	F	5	69	10	30
363	studio2************.com	25	F	5	82	10	17
364	mmgs*****.com	22	F	10	40	12	30
365	theom*********.com	16	F	5	45	16	5

Photography Websites Look Stunning. AI Search Engines Can't See Any of It.

The State of Photography / Videography Websites

Why This Matters for Photography / Videography

Key Findings

Key Takeaways

Common Mistakes in Photography / Videography Websites

How to Improve Your Photography / Videography Website

Dimension Breakdown

Score Distribution

AISO Score Ranges

Grade Distribution

Frequently Asked Questions