Why prompts decide everything
The image tool does what you ask. A vague prompt such as "kitchen" gives a generic result that could sit on any site. A specific prompt such as "narrow galley kitchen with wall-mounted shelves holding labeled jars, soft morning light, realistic photo style" gives you an image that supports the section. Better prompts mean fewer regenerations and more relevant visuals, and relevant images are what readers and search engines both reward.
The prompt formula
Use this order. You do not need every part every time.
- Subject: what is in the picture.
- Setting: where it is.
- Style: photo, illustration, flat vector, watercolor.
- Light and color: natural light, warm tones, muted palette.
- Composition: close-up, wide shot, from above, space for a title.
- Avoid: things you do not want.
Example: "A cozy reading corner with a green armchair and a small wooden side table, warm afternoon light, realistic photo style, wide shot, no text, no people."
Make each prompt match its section
Read the heading and the first paragraph, then ask: "If a reader looked only at the image, what idea should they get?" Describe that idea.
| Heading | Weak prompt | Better prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Use vertical space | Shelves | Wall-mounted shelves with jars and plants in a small kitchen, natural light, realistic photo |
| Choose a color palette | Colors | Flat lay of paint swatches in sage green, cream and terracotta on a wooden table, top-down view |
| Common mistakes | Mistake | Cluttered desk with tangled cables and a stack of papers, slightly messy, realistic photo |
Keep a consistent look across the post
Pick one style line and paste it into every prompt: for example "realistic photo style, soft natural light, muted colors, no text". When all images share it, the post feels designed. Keep a separate style line for each site you manage.
Think about the format
Pin Magic generates the featured image in landscape 16:9 and section images in vertical 9:16. Keep that in mind:
- For landscape featured images, place the subject in the middle with space on the sides, since themes and social previews may crop.
- For vertical section images, put the key subject in the upper and middle part, since tall images are viewed on phones.
Avoid text inside images
Newer models such as Nano Banana 2 can render readable text, but it is still safer to avoid text in blog images. Text in an image is not read by search engines as page text, it may contain spelling slips and it is hard to update later. Put the words in your headings and captions instead, and add "no text" to the prompt.
Be careful with people, brands and real places
- Avoid asking for real people, celebrities or named characters.
- Avoid logos and brand names unless the image is yours to make.
- For anything the reader might think is real (a product, a location, a person), use real photos instead.
Write in clear English
Image models tend to work best with plain English prompts. Use short descriptive sentences. Avoid long lists of adjectives, and avoid contradictory instructions such as "minimalist, very detailed".
Put the prompt in your marker, and write alt text separately
In Pin Magic, each section marker has a prompt field and an alt field. They do different jobs:
- Prompt: instructions to the generator.
- Alt text: a plain description of the finished image for readers and screen readers.
Do not copy the prompt into the alt text. Write alt text after you see the image, describing what is actually there. Google's guidance on AI-assisted content says to review generated content, including alt text, before you publish.
Check every result
Look for the usual problems: extra or missing fingers, warped objects, strange text, wrong number of items, mismatched styles. If an image is wrong, change the prompt for that section and regenerate only that image.
A reusable template
Copy this and fill in the blanks:
Subject: [what is shown]
Setting: [where]
Style: [photo / illustration], [style line for this site]
Light and color: [light], [palette]
Composition: [shot type]
Avoid: no text, no logos, [other]Then join it into one sentence for the marker's prompt field.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a prompt be?
One to three sentences is usually enough. More detail helps only if every word matters.
Should I use the keyword in the prompt?
Use it when it describes the subject. Do not repeat it for its own sake.
Can I use the same prompt for two sections?
Avoid it. Each section should have its own image, otherwise the post feels repetitive.
What if the result looks fake?
Add "realistic photo style, natural light" or switch to an illustration style on purpose. A deliberate style looks better than a half-realistic one.
Conclusion
Prompt writing is the one step in the workflow that should stay human, because it carries your meaning. A simple formula, one style line, no text in the image and a careful check of each result will lift the quality of every image you publish. Once your prompts are ready, follow how to add images to blog posts automatically.
