Anyone in SEO has heard the phrase, a picture is worth 1000 words but to put together this type of graphic can be even miles beyond that value. Infographic link building is all about using compelling visuals to attract valuable backlinks that provide your site with a massive amount of visibility and authority.

So, if you are wondering how to turn your data or idea into shareable content that earns links, here we go. In this article, we will be taking you through seven simple and actionable steps on how to start creating links with infographics, which will help connect.

What is Infographic Link Building?

Infographic link building is a strategy to create an infographic and use it to attract backlinks from other websites.

The process involves designing an infographic that presents data or information clearly and appealingly. Once created, you share this infographic across different platforms or pitch it to relevant websites.  

When these sites find your infographic useful, they link back to your site as the source.

Types Of infographics

Infographics come in various forms. Each serves a different purpose and audience. Here are five common types

1) Statistics Infographic

A statistics infographic presents data in a clear and engaging way. It transforms complex numbers into simple visuals like charts or graphs, making information easy to understand.

Best For:

• Sharing survey results
• Displaying research data
• Summarizing business reports
• Presenting educational statistics

Always highlight the most important data points. Use contrasting colors to make these stand out. This way, even if someone just looks quickly, they’ll see the essential information.

2) Informational Infographic

An informational infographic breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand visuals. It simplifies detailed information, making it clear and accessible.

Best For:

• How-to guides
• Educational content
• Step-by-step processes
• Explaining concepts or ideas

When designing one, clarity should be the main objective. Use concise text and simple visuals to ensure the message is clear and easy to follow. Keep it neat, clear, and concise-avoid piling information on it.

3) Timeline Infographics

A timeline infographic is used to display events in chronological order. It helps you track the flow of time and understand the sequence of events at a glance.

Best For:

• Historical timelines
• Project milestones
• Product launches
• Company growth

When creating a timeline infographic, place events in a clear, linear format. Use distinct markers or dates to guide the viewer. Focus on the most important events to avoid overcrowding. This makes the timeline easy to read and follow.

4) Process Infographic

A process infographic outlines a series of steps or stages in a clear, visual format. It helps simplify complex procedures by breaking them down into manageable parts.

Best For:

• How-to guides
• Workflow processes
• Tutorials
• Step-by-step instructions

When designing a process infographic, keep each step distinct and easy to follow. Use arrows or numbered steps to guide the viewer through the process. Focus on clarity and simplicity to make the procedure easy to understand at a glance.

5) Hirerchcal Infographic

A hierarchical infographic organizes information into levels or layers, showing the relationship between different elements. It’s useful for displaying structures in a clear, visual way.

Best For:

• Organizational charts
• Ranking systems
• Concept hierarchies
• Chain of command

When creating a hierarchical infographic, arrange elements from top to bottom or in nested layers. Ensure each level is clearly defined to make the relationships easy to understand. Keep the design straightforward so that the hierarchy is immediately clear to the viewer.

7 Steps To Do Infographic Link Building

Creating an infographic that stands out involves smart design and SEO optimization. Here’s how to make your infographics both engaging and search-engine friendly.

1) Research and Choose the Right Topic

The first step in creating a strong infographic is picking a relevant topic. Look for a keyword in the link-building field that’s currently popular and easy to turn into visuals. 

For example, “types of backlinks and their impact on SEO” could work well.

You can use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to investigate keywords that allow for clear data or comparisons. For example, you might find “success rate of different link-building strategies” as a keyword with good search volume. This topic is perfect for an infographic comparing how well various link-building methods work.

After you find your keyword, check the best content that ranks high. This will show you what is already available. Then, you can make an infographic that provides new information or shows the information in a nicer way.

2) Check Top SERPs Results To Create Content

After you choose your topic, it’s important to see what’s already ranking on search engines. This helps you find out what content is working and where you can add value.

Start by typing your keyword into Google. For example, if you’re focusing on “link-building strategies,” try searching for “link-building strategies infographic” to see what’s out there.

To dig deeper, use search operators:

• intitle: Search “intitle
  strategies” to find pages that have your keyword in the title. These pages often provide more targeted content.
• site: Use “SEO statistics site:.edu” or “link-building tips site:.gov” to find data from educational or government websites. These sources are usually reliable and up-to-date.
• filetype:pdf: For detailed reports or studies, search “SEO trends 2024 filetype
  ”. PDFs often contain in-depth information that can be useful for your infographic.

Check the top SERPs results. Note what kind of information they provide and how they present any visuals. If you notice a gap or something that could be done better, use it as a starting point for making your infographic more helpful and engaging.

This method makes sure your infographic is based on good research and is made to be eye-catching.

3) Create a User-Friendly Infographic

Making a user-friendly infographic is important so that your audience can quickly grasp and connect with your content. Here’s how to create an infographic that works well and is simple to use:

a) Tell a Story with Visuals

A great infographic should tell a compelling story. Start by outlining your key message, and then choose visuals that support each point. For instance, if you’re illustrating how a link-building campaign improves SEO rankings over time, consider using a flowchart or timeline. These visuals can clearly depict progress and make the data more relatable.

b) Choose a Layout That Fits With the Content

The layout should enhance how the content is presented. If you’re dealing with a comparison, side-by-side columns can work well. For step-by-step guides, a vertical layout might be best to guide the reader smoothly from one step to the next. The key is to match the layout to the information flow.

c) Design for Mobile and Desktop

It’s important that your infographic is easily read on both mobile and desktop devices. Since a large number of users view content on their mobile, a responsive design is required. Keep your text easy to read and your images clear, even on smaller screens. This might involve simplifying certain elements or stacking content vertically.

d) Optimize Image File Size and Format

Large image files can make a site slow and provide an awful experience for users, which can harm your SEO rankings. To avoid this, compressing the infographic without losing quality should be recommended to avoid such scenarios. PNG is good to go for sharp graphics with text, while JPEG should be used for detailed pictures. However, the best among these is the WebP format because it provides the best quality within a small size, which is a perfect fit for web use. Tools like TinyPNG and Squoosh can help reduce file size while maintaining clarity.

4) Publish Your Infographic on Your Website with SEO Optimization

Publishing your infographic onto your website is an essential part of any infographic link-building strategy. To maximize its impact, you should make sure that it’s SEO-optimized and integrated into the site. Here’s how to do it effectively:

a) Embed the Infographic with Supporting Content

Simply posting an infographic isn’t enough. You should embed it within a well-written blog post or article that provides context and additional information. 

What to do?

Write a detailed introduction and conclusion around your infographic. For example, if your infographic is about “effective link-building strategies,” start with an introduction explaining the importance of link building. 

After embedding the infographic, follow up with key takeaways or a call to action. This not only adds value but also increases the chances of your content being shared, which is essential for infographic link building.

b) Use Descriptive File Names and ALT Text

Descriptive file names and ALT text are important for helping search engines understand what your infographic is about. This boosts your SEO and makes your infographic more discoverable.

What to do?

Rename your infographic file with a descriptive name that includes your primary keyword. For example, instead of “infographic.png,” use “link-building-strategies-infographic.png.” 

Then, write an ALT text that clearly describes the infographic’s content, like “Infographic showing effective link-building strategies for SEO.” This not only helps with SEO but also makes your content accessible to visually impaired users.

c) Use Structured Data

Structured data, or schema markup, helps search engines better understand your infographic, boosting your chances of appearing in rich snippets.

How to do this?

• contentUrl: This is the direct URL to your infographic image.
• creator: This is the name of the organization that created the infographic.
• description: A short, clear description of what the infographic is about.
• name: The title of your infographic.

If you’re working with a developer, you can provide them with this code to insert into the HTML of your webpage. This code should be placed within the <head> section or right before the closing </body> tag of your HTML.

If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, you don’t need to manually insert this code. Instead, you can use plugins like Yoast SEO or Schema Pro that allow you to add structured data without touching the code. 

These plugins typically have fields where you can enter the image URL, description, and other details, and they will automatically generate the JSON-LD markup for you.

5) Outreach to Relevant Websites

Outreach is key to getting your infographic seen and earning good backlinks. Here’s a simple way to find the right websites and reach out to them.

1) Find Websites for Infographic Outreach

One effective way to find websites for your infographic is by checking where your competitors are getting their backlinks. This approach is easy to follow and works well.

Steps to Follow:

1. Use Ahrefs: Enter a competitor’s URL in Ahrefs Site Explorer.
2. Check Backlinks: Look at the Backlinks section to see which sites have linked to your competitor’s infographics.
3. Filter Results: Focus on backlinks from strong sites or blogs in your field.
4. Build Your List: Export this list of sites. These are your targets for outreach since they’ve already linked to similar content.

2) Create an Outreach Email

After finding the websites, the next step is to reach out with a personalized email. Here’s a simple template:

Email Template:

Key Tips

• Make It Personal: Use the recipient’s name and mention their specific content.
• Be Clear: Explain how your infographic can improve their article.

3) Follow Up

If you don’t get a response, send a polite follow-up after about a week.

Follow-Up Email Template:

Key Tips

• Give It Time: Wait a week before following up.
• Keep It Short: Make your follow-up brief and polite.

6) Submit to Infographic Directories

Submitting your infographic to directories is a straightforward way to boost visibility and earn backlinks. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1) Choose Reputable Directories

Selecting the right directories is crucial. Focus on those that are popular and relevant to your niche to maximize exposure.

• Visual.ly
• Infographic Journal
• Daily Infographic
• Submit Infographics
• Infographics Archive
• Cool Infographics
• Infographic Bee
• Infographic Plaza
• Reddit Infographics
• Infographic Post
• Best Infographics

2) Prepare Your Infographic

Ensure your infographic is optimized for submission. Different directories have different requirements, so it’s important to tailor your content accordingly.

• Ensure it meets directory guidelines (size, format).
• Write a brief, keyword-rich description.

3) Submit and Track

After submission, it’s essential to monitor the performance of your infographic. This helps you understand which directories are driving the most traffic.

• Follow each directory’s submission process.
• Keep a record of your submissions and check back for published results.

7) Share on Social Media and Online Communities

Before you start an outreach campaign, sharing your infographic on social media is a smart move. It can help get the word out and might even lead to organic backlinks as people start sharing your content.

1) Choose the Right Platforms

Start by focusing on platforms where your audience spends their time. Each platform has its strengths, so pick the ones that align with your infographic’s theme.

• Pinterest: Great for visual content. People often search for infographics here, which can lead to ongoing traffic.
• Twitter: Use hashtags and join conversations that relate to your infographic. It’s an easy way to get more eyes on your content.
• LinkedIn: This is the place for professional content. If your infographic is industry-related, LinkedIn is where you’ll find an audience that values it.

2) Promote Organically on Social Media

Use your own social media accounts to share the infographic. This helps build awareness and directs traffic to your site.

• Tease the Content: Share small snippets or key points from your infographic. This can grab attention and encourage people to look at the full infographic.
• Engage with Followers: Ask your audience what they think or invite them to share the infographic if they find it useful.

If your social media reach is limited, consider working with influencers.

3) Partner with Influencers

Influencers can help you reach a much larger audience. When they share your infographic, it gains credibility and visibility.

• Find Influencers: Search for people in your niche who are active on social media. Look for hashtags related to your topic to find the right influencers.
• Reach Out: Once you’ve found a few, send a direct message or email. You might say, “I’ve made an infographic on [topic], and I think your audience would find it valuable. Would you be interested in sharing it?”

Conclusion

Infographic link building is not complicated. Following these seven steps can help simplify the process and make it more effective. But spend that time and effort on an infographic, where you can use your time to optimize what is important for it and share it in places that are unique to it.

Promote your content by contacting websites, submitting to directories, or using social media. By keeping it simple and consistent, you can now start seeing results with your link-building strategy!

FAQs on Infographic Link Building