Image Link Building: 5 Easy Steps to Build Image Backlinks!
Getting your website noticed online isn’t easy, especially when every website is competing for clicks.
Traditional link-building helps, but there’s another powerful method that often gets overlooked: image link building.
People are naturally drawn to visuals. Infographics, charts, and eye-catching photos grab attention and get shared more often. But did you know those same images can also help you earn quality backlinks? By using the right images, you can improve your Image SEO and bring more visitors to your site.
In this article, we’ll show you how to build links with images in five simple steps. Ready to see how images can do more than just look good? Let’s get started.
What is Image Link Building?
Image link building is the process of creating and sharing visuals like infographics, charts, or photos to earn backlinks. When other websites use your images, they link back to your site, boosting your SEO and driving more traffic.
The key is to make visuals that others find helpful and easy to share. Well-designed, informative images attract more links, especially when optimized with the right filenames and alt text.
Why Is Image Link Building Worth Your Time?
Image link building offers distinct advantages that can enhance your SEO strategy. Here’s why it’s worth focusing on:
- Earns Passive Backlinks: Once your images are out there, they can keep earning backlinks without constant effort. Other sites may continue to use your visuals and link back, giving you ongoing SEO benefits.
- Diversify Your Link Profile: Using images for link building adds variety to your backlink profile. Search engines see this as a sign of a balanced, natural link-building strategy, which can strengthen your domain authority.
- Improves Credibility Through Visual References: When your images are used as references (like infographics, charts, or data visuals), they act as credible sources. Sites that embed your images often cite them as reliable information, enhancing your site’s authority.
- Reclaims Unlinked Mentions Easily: Image link building makes it simpler to reclaim links. If other websites use your images without proper attribution, you can reach out and ask them to add a link, turning missed opportunities into quality backlinks.
How Do I Create A URL For An Image?
To earn image backlinks, each image needs its own URL. This makes it easy for others to share and link to your image. Here’s how to do it:
- Upload the Image: Add the image to your website’s media library or use a service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Imgur. This will create a unique link for the image.
- Get the Image URL: Right-click on the image and choose “Copy Image Address” or “Copy Image URL.” This is the direct link others can use.
Using Imgur:
Using wordpress media library:
With a URL, it’s easier to track where your image is used online. You can check if other sites are linking back to you properly, and if not, ask for a backlink.
If you need something more professional, consider using services like Digital Asset Management, 500px (which requires a paid account), or SmugMug, which offers a free trial. These sites give you more control over how your images are stored and shared.
Types of Images that Attract Image Backlinks
Not all images get the same attention. To earn image backlinks, focus on creating visuals that are useful, informative, or visually appealing. Here are some types that work best.
1) Infographics
Infographics are one of the best types of visuals for image link building. They turn complex data or information into a clear, easy-to-read format that encourages sharing. Infographics make it simple to communicate ideas, which leads to more image links and boosts Image SEO.
Infographics can be used by any business, blogger, or teacher for their benefit. They are very useful for websites that want to receive quality backlinks by providing valuable, easy-to-understand content that would help other people use and link to.
2) Graphs
Graphs are useful for showing data and trends in a simple, visual way. They make it easy to understand numbers, so other websites often share them and link back to the source. This helps you earn image backlinks.
Graphs are great for researchers, bloggers, and businesses that share data. If you create content with statistics or trends, graphs can help you get backlinks with images because they present the information in a clear, easy-to-read format.
3) Photos
Photos can help you earn image backlinks if they are high-quality and original. When other websites use your photos, they usually link back to you as the source.
Photographers, travel bloggers, and online stores benefit the most. If you have clear, unique photos of products, places, or events, others might use them and give you backlinks with images.
4) Maps
Maps are useful visuals that can earn image backlinks when they show locations, routes, or specific data in a clear way. Websites often share maps that make complex information easy to understand, and they link back to the original source.
Travel blogs, local businesses, and event organizers can benefit the most. If you create maps showing popular destinations, store locations, or event routes, they can help attract backlinks with images from other sites that find them useful.
5) Product photos
Product photos can earn image backlinks when they are high-quality and show products clearly. Websites, blogs, or online stores often use good product images and link back to the original source.
E-commerce stores, online sellers, and brands benefit the most. If you have clear, attractive photos of your products, other sites might use them in reviews or guides, giving you backlinks with images.
5 Steps To Build Image Links!
Building image backlinks doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these five simple steps to create images that attract links and boost your SEO.
1) Identify Relevant and Popular Topics
If you want image backlinks, then you have to make visuals of topics that are in the interest of people. Here is how you can find out the right topic to focus on:
a) Use Google Trends to Find Popular Topics
Google Trends is a very useful, simple tool that tells you what people are looking for on the Internet. You can enter keywords about your topic to see how their popularity has varied over time. This helps you find topics that are trending. For example, if “eco-friendly products” is gaining interest, you can create images like infographics or product photos around that theme.
b) Find Specific Topics with AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic lets you see common questions people ask about certain topics. It organizes the questions neatly, helping you spot specific ideas for your visuals. For example, if people are looking up “best travel destinations for 2024,” you could create maps or images highlighting popular spots. The free version gives you a few searches daily, while the paid version has no limits.
c) Check What Competitors Are Doing
See what’s working for your competitors. Use tools like Ahrefs or BuzzSumo to find out which of their images are getting image backlinks. This will give you ideas for creating your own visuals. For example, if a competitor’s infographic on “healthy eating tips” has earned many links, consider making your own, with even better information or design.
d) Use Google Images to See What Works
Another simple way is to search for your keywords in Google Images. Look at the top results to see which images are doing well. This helps you understand what kind of visuals attract image links. For example, if photos of “custom furniture designs” are ranking high, you might want to create detailed photos in that category.
2) Gather Engaging Data Related to Your Topic
Once you have a topic, the next step is to find data that will make your image more interesting and useful. Engaging data can turn a simple visual into a valuable resource that others want to share and link to.
How to Do It:
- Use Reliable Sources: Look for accurate data from trusted sources like industry reports, surveys, government sites, and research articles. This makes your visuals more credible.
- Include Interesting Stats or Facts: Find numbers or insights that grab attention. For example, if your topic is about travel trends, add surprising stats about popular destinations.
- Check Competitors’ Content: See what kind of data others in your niche are using. This can help you spot gaps or new angles that haven’t been covered yet.
3) Design Images That Others Will Want to Share
To earn image backlinks, your visuals need to be appealing and useful. Here’s how to design images that others will want to share:
a) Keep It Simple and Clear
Your image should deliver the message quickly. Avoid clutter and use a clean, simple design that’s easy to understand at a glance.
Source: Semrush
b) Use Eye-Catching Colors and Fonts
Pick colors and fonts that grab attention but don’t distract from the main point. The design should help highlight key information clearly.
Below is an example of 99designs’ beautiful color combinations. You can use these in your next infographic to create an eye-catching design.
c) Make It Useful
Design images that solve a problem or explain something. For example, an infographic that breaks down a process step-by-step is more likely to be shared and linked.
d) Add Your Brand
Include your logo or website URL on the image. This way, even if your image gets shared widely, viewers will know where it came from, and you can earn more image backlinks.
4) Optimize Your Images for SEO
Image optimization really helps search engines find and understand your images. Optimized images will benefit the SEO of your website and increase its opportunity to receive image backlinks. Here’s how you do it:
a) Use Descriptive File Names
Before uploading your image, rename the file with keywords that describe it. For example, instead of “IMG123.jpg,” use “blue-running-shoes.jpg.” This helps search engines understand the image content, boosting Image SEO.
b) Add Alt Text
Alt text is a short description that helps search engines and visually impaired users understand the image. Include clear, keyword-rich alt text like “Blue running shoes on sale.” This makes your image easier to find in search results and more likely to earn backlinks.
c) Use an Image Title
The image title is a brief explanation that appears when someone hovers over the image. Adding a short, relevant title can give extra context. For example, “Lightweight blue running shoes.” This isn’t as important as alt text but can help with user engagement.
d) Compress Images for Faster Loading
Large images can slow down your website, affecting SEO. Use tools like TinyPNG or Photoshop’s “Save for Web” feature to compress images without losing quality. Faster-loading pages lead to a better user experience, which helps with rankings.
e) Include Captions Where Necessary
Captions may not directly impact SEO, but they improve user experience by explaining the image’s context. Better user engagement can lead to more shares and image links.
f) Use the SRCSET Attribute for Responsive Images
For images that need to look good on different devices (like mobile phones and tablets), use the SRCSET attribute. This tells the browser which image size to use, ensuring your images look sharp across all devices.
g) Add Your Images to a Sitemap
Including your images in your sitemap helps search engines index them. This improves your chances of appearing in Google Image search results, driving more traffic to your site.
5) Promote and Share Your Images Widely
Creating great images is just the start. To earn image backlinks, you need to promote them so others can find, use, and share them. Here’s how you can do it:
a) Share on Social Media
Post your images on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Social media can help your visuals reach a larger audience. Even though most social media links are no-follow, they increase visibility, which can lead to more sites sharing and linking back to your images.
b) Reach Out to Niche Blogs and Websites
If your images are relevant to a specific topic, contact niche blogs and websites in your industry. Let them know they can use your images and link back to your site. For example, if you’ve created a travel infographic, share it with travel bloggers.
c) Use Image Sharing Platforms
Upload your images to sharing platforms like Imgur, Flickr, and Pinterest. These platforms are designed for sharing visuals and can help you reach a broader audience. Don’t forget to include your website URL in the description to guide users back to your site.
d) Add Images to Relevant Content on Your Site
Place your images within blog posts, guides, and articles. This makes them easier to share because readers can embed or link to them directly from your content. Make sure the image is easy to download and share.
e) Create an Embed Code for Your Images
Make it easy for others to share your images by providing an embed code. This code allows websites to use your image while automatically linking back to your site. Tools like Siege Media Embed Code Generator can help you create this.
Monitor and Claim Links for Misused or Uncredited Images
Creating images is just the first step. To fully benefit from image link building, you need to track where your images are being used and ensure you’re getting proper credit. Here’s how you can monitor and claim image backlinks effectively:
1. Claim Links from Improper Attributions
Sometimes, websites may use your image but link directly to the image file instead of your webpage. This doesn’t pass SEO value, so it’s important to get them to update the link.
How to Find Improper Links:
To find direct image links in Ahrefs, you can follow these steps:
- Open Ahrefs Site Explorer: Enter your website URL.
- Go to the Backlinks report: This will show all the backlinks to your website.
- Use the “Target URL” filter: In the Backlinks report, look for a filter option called “Target URL.” Use this to search for specific terms like .jpg, .png, or other image file extensions. This helps you find backlinks that are pointing directly to your image files.
By identifying these direct image links, you can reach out to the websites and request them to update their link to point to the page where the image is hosted, instead of the image file itself. This way, you can ensure better SEO benefits.
2. Reach Out and Request Proper Attribution
If you find sites linking directly to your image file, reach out to them and ask if they can update the link to point to the correct page. Being polite and clear in your communication is key here.
- Find Contact Information: Use tools like Hunter.io or ContactOut to locate the email addresses of website owners or content managers.If contact details aren’t available, look for a general contact form on the site.
- Write a Polite Email: Explain the issue clearly and request them to update the link to your original webpage. Keep your tone polite and appreciative.
Sample Email Template
Subject: Quick Update Request for Your Post
Hi [Name],
I noticed that you used one of our images in your post about [topic]. We appreciate the mention! I just wanted to ask if you could link to the original post where the image is featured instead of the image file directly. Here’s the correct link: [Insert URL].
Thanks so much for considering this, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Best,
[Your Name]
3. Claim Links from Unauthorized Use
Sometimes, your images might be used without any credit at all. This is an opportunity to request a backlink to your site.
Step 1) Perform a Reverse Image Search
Use Google Images or TinEye to do a reverse image search. Upload your image or paste its URL, and the tool will show where it appears online Scan through the results to find sites that are using your image without giving credit.
Click on “Find Image Search.”
Step 2) Reach Out and Request a Link
Contact the website owner or editor. Let them know you appreciate them using your image and ask if they could add a picture link to your site as the source.
4. Automate the Monitoring Process
Constantly checking for improper or unauthorized image use can be time-consuming. Fortunately, there are ways to automate the process:
a) Set Up Backlink Alerts
Use tools like Ahrefs Alerts to notify you when a new backlink is created that points directly to an image. This allows you to act fast if the link needs to be updated.
b) Use Image Monitoring Tools
Services like Image Raider can track your images across the web. Simply add the images you want to monitor, and the tool will alert you to any new appearances.
Conclusion
Image link building is more than just sharing visuals; it’s about building connections that last. When you put effort into making great images and getting them out there, you create chances for ongoing backlinks and stronger relationships with other sites.
Try reaching out to other website owners or bloggers and offer to create images for their content in exchange for a link. It’s a simple way to get more image backlinks and build helpful partnerships. Over time, these connections can bring steady traffic to your site and make your brand stand out as a go-to source.
FAQs on Image Link Building
Are There Any Risks In Using Images From Other Websites For Link Building?
Yes, using pictures from other websites without permission creates copyright issues. Infographic and image content shall be created, or ensure that you are allowed to use the pictures. Avoid reusing images without proper credit or a license.
What Is The Best Way To Approach Websites For Linking To My Images?
Personalized outreach works best. Send a polite, straightforward email that explains how your image adds value to their content, and request a link to the original source. Providing an embed code can make it easier for them to share your image correctly.
Can I Turn User-Generated Content Into A Part Of My Image Link-Building Strategy?
Yes, you can encourage your audience to create and share images featuring your products or brand. When they do, you can share these images on your platforms and encourage others to do the same, leading to more natural backlinks with images.
Should I Add Keywords To The Alt Text Of Every Image, Or Just Some Of Them?
It's best to add relevant keywords naturally to the alt text, but avoid keyword stuffing. Focus on making the alt text descriptive and helpful for both search engines and visually impaired users.
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Ekta Chauhan
