---
slug: test-images-development
title: "Test Images for Development: Generate, Don't Search"
status: inbox
priority: LOW
created: 2026-01-09
source: keyword-research
validated: 2026-01-09
validation_notes: "SERP shows mixed intent - deprioritized in favor of 'placeholder images'"
---

# Idea — DEPRIORITIZED

## Discovery

**Source:** Keyword research + SERP analysis — 2026-01-09
**Evidence:** 
- "test images" = 6,600 monthly searches
- KD: 9 (ULTRA LOW difficulty)
- BUT: Mixed intent in SERP

## SERP Analysis Results

| # | Domain | Type |
|---|--------|------|
| 1 | picsum.photos | Placeholder API ← good signal |
| 2 | unsplash.com | Stock gallery |
| 3 | pexels.com | Stock gallery |
| 4 | gettyimages.com | Stock gallery |
| 5 | shutterstock.com | Stock gallery |
| 9 | testimages.org | Display calibration |

### Problem: Mixed Intent
Three different user intents compete:
1. Developer placeholder images (Lorem Picsum #1)
2. Stock photos about "testing" concept
3. Display/monitor calibration patterns

### Why Deprioritized

- SERP polluted with stock photo sites
- "placeholder images" has cleaner developer intent
- Better to rank for "placeholder images" first, capture "test images" as secondary

## Recommendation

**Don't create standalone content.** Instead:
1. Target "placeholder images" as primary
2. Include "test images" as H2/section within placeholder content
3. Can naturally rank for both if content is comprehensive

## Keywords

| Keyword | Vol | KD | Action |
|---------|-----|----|--------|
| test images | 6,600 | 9 | Include in placeholder content |
| placeholder images | 14,800 | 32 | PRIMARY target |
| dummy images | 720 | 16 | Synonym, include |

## Notes

Lorem Picsum at #1 proves developer demand EXISTS for this query. But cleaner opportunity is "placeholder images".
