Image link building has become an increasingly popular way to earn high-quality backlinks and drive search traffic. Unlike traditional link building that focuses solely on text links, image link building incorporates visual assets to capture attention and links.
Implementing image link building as part of your SEO strategy takes finesse. You need compelling images that tell a story and incentivize websites to link back to you.
Follow these 5 essential tips to master the art of image link building:
Craft Eye-Catching, On-Brand Images
Compelling images stop scrollers in their tracks. Yet in the quest for viral images, some businesses forget about branding. Every image you create for link building should align with your brand style and industry.
Evaluate your brand style guide’s visual assets. What colors, fonts, and themes perform best? Craft images that grab attention while reinforcing your brand identity.
Tools like Canva provide stylish templates where you can incorporate brand assets to design consistent graphics.
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Optimize File Names and Alt Text
Don’t underestimate small SEO tweaks that improve image optimization. Well-organized file names and alt text boost visibility for visual assets.
Structure file names around target keywords, such as “brand-keyword-image-link-building.jpg”. Alt text provides another chance to incorporate SEO keywords while describing the image for accessibility.
Getting images ranked drives even more opportunities for backlinks. Optimize each element, including file data to build recognition.
Provide Value With Visual Content
People link to content that intrigues, educates, or entertains their audience. Unique value earns links.
Brainstorm visuals that provide value, from infographics showcasing little-known statistics to comics bringing dry topics to life. Videos and interactive images also capture attention in a saturated landscape.
Match the visual content format to your brand voice and ideal reader. Value that resonates results in natural links as audiences want to share your assets.
Strategically Link Insert Images
The most effective image assets for SEO integrate strategic links. After all, the end goal is driving visitors back to your site.
Enable linking within image files before embedding them on other sites. This allows other sites to link images back to related pages on your domain.
Depending on your outreach and assets, you may link images to home page, specific landing pages, or related blog content. Track links to gauge what performs best.
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Credit Images Upon Request
Properly attributing images bolsters link building relationships while fulfilling licensing agreements.
Yet publicly sharing images across the web relinquishes control. Even if you request credit, not all sites follow through.
Aim for lamb over spam approach. First, make images accessible for free public use with optional backlinks. For personal outreach, set expectations upfront a backlink would be appreciated.
Removing access if sites don’t credit risks relationships for minimal return. Ultimately, focus on creating captivating visuals instead of enforcing volatile links.
