Changing image path of the whole domain

[steffen_]

Hi together,

we are using a CDN for delivering static images. Due to some changes we want to change the path for images for the whole domain.

like:

images.example.com/old/var/test.jpg

to

images.example.com/new/var/test.jpg

Does anyone know what could happend to SERPs?

(old path will  be available)

Best regards

Steffen

[CaseyKluver]

Hi Steffen, You shouldn't see a decrease in your SERP's for the page the images are on, assuming you keep the alt and title tags the same. Google may even see the new URL as a update to the page, which has its benefit.

If the images are ranked in Google image search, you will obviously have a drop in that image ranking. You can fight this by 301 redirecting the old image to the new image as well as updating your sitemap. Here is a great link on the subject including a response from Rand explaining it more http://www.seomoz.org/qa/view/52713/301-redirect-an-image