6 Types of Content to Organically Gain Backlinks
Backlinks are hyperlinks that lead users to your website from other sites. Building high-quality backlinks from reputable websites boost your site's authority and significantly enhances its visibility in search engine rankings.
While there are various techniques for acquiring backlinks, creating valuable and link-worthy content stands as a cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy. In this article, we will explore the different types of content that can help you organically gain backlinks. We will also go over how to craft engaging, informative, and shareable material that naturally attracts links from authoritative sources, solidifying your website's credibility and influence in the digital realm.
Types of Content to Build Backlinks
Here, we will take a closer look at the types of content that will help you build backlinks. For the greatest chance of success in your SEO strategy, consider incorporating the following backlink-friendly content types:
1) Infographics
Infographics are an excellent content format for naturally generating backlinks. Their visual appeal and information-packed nature make them highly shareable across platforms. These eye-catching graphics present complex data in a visually digestible manner, making them a reliable source for other websites and bloggers seeking authoritative visuals. By incorporating well-crafted infographics into your content, you can enhance your website's SEO and establish your content as a valuable resource in your industry.
“On average, infographics are shared and liked on social media at three times the rate of other content types, increasing their visibility and potential for backlinks.” (Source: HubSpot)
Additionally, infographics cater to different learning styles, attracting a wider audience. Visual learners find it easier to grasp information through images and illustrations, while others appreciate the concise and organized presentation of data. Furthermore, infographics help establish your brand's expertise and thought leadership. When you create well-researched and visually appealing infographics, you demonstrate knowledge and authority on a particular subject. This attracts backlinks and positions your brand as a reliable and trustworthy source of information.
Bonus Tip: For a user-friendly graphic design tool to make infographic creation easy, give Canva’s drag-and-drop features a shot (Canva even has AI text-to-image features). Alternatively, check out Infogram, a data visualization and infographic tool that focuses on turning data into engaging visuals.
2) Interactive Content
Interactive content, such as quizzes, surveys, and calculators, holds immense value in organically generating backlinks. Its allure lies in the unique engagement it offers users, encouraging active participation and the sharing of results or experiences. By providing interactive content that truly resonates with your target audience, you create a captivating experience that boosts user engagement and becomes a powerful magnet for inbound links.
When executed effectively, interactive content becomes a central reference point within your industry or niche. It positions your website as an authoritative source that offers valuable, interactive resources, making it a go-to destination for users seeking information or entertainment. As people discover the value of your interactive content, they are more likely to reference and link to it from their own websites, blog posts, or social media platforms, further enhancing your backlink profile.
“Better Conversion Rates: Content with interactive elements often has conversion rates that are 30-40% higher, potentially leading to more shares and backlinks.” (Source: Outgrow)
In addition to driving more traffic to your website, the strategic use of interactive content can amplify your brand's visibility and reputation. By showcasing your expertise and thought leadership through interactive resources, you establish your site as a trusted authority that consistently delivers value to your audience. This strengthens your online presence and fosters long-term relationships with your target market.
So, whether you aim to enhance your backlink profile, establish your brand as an industry leader, or create a memorable user experience, incorporating interactive content into your digital strategy is a winning approach.
Bonus Tip: Choose topics that captivate your target audience and hold significance within your industry or niche. Craft interactive content that tackles common pain points and delivers valuable insights. Prioritize conducting keyword research to identify trending and frequently searched topics, ensuring your content aligns seamlessly with search intent.
3) Original Research
Original research such as experiments, studies, and surveys are a remarkable form of content for generating organic backlinks. Its unparalleled and authoritative nature makes it highly valuable. When you conduct and publish meticulously crafted research findings, you establish yourself as an industry thought leader and a trusted source of information. This enhances your credibility and positions you at the forefront of your field, setting you apart from others.
“Content with data-driven research received more backlinks and social shares than other types of content. This suggests that original research, particularly when it includes compelling data, has a higher likelihood of attracting backlinks.” (Source: BuzzSumo and Moz)
Other websites, bloggers, and diligent researchers often reference and link to your research to strengthen their own content, amplifying its reach and impact. As more people discover and cite your invaluable findings, a resounding ripple effect of backlinks is created, further bolstering your website's authority and visibility within your niche. The ripple effect of original research can resonate for an extended period, establishing you as an influential figure and attracting a broader audience to actively engage with your captivating content.
Bonus Tip: When conducting original research, prioritize presenting your findings in a visually appealing and easily understandable way. Enhance your work with captivating charts, graphs, infographics, and tables that complement your research.
4) Free Templates or Tools
Providing free templates or tools is a strategic content approach for building backlinks to your website and it serves as a valuable resource for your target audience. By creating high-quality resources that cater to their specific needs, you can attract a wide range of users who find practical value in what you offer.
When you offer free templates or tools that save time, simplify complex tasks, or enhance productivity, people are more likely to share and link to them. As these resources gain popularity and recognition, other websites, blogs, or forums in your industry may reference and link to them, further bolstering your site's authority and search engine rankings.
This approach creates a win-win situation. Your audience benefits from the valuable resources you provide, and your backlink profile becomes stronger, enhancing your website's visibility and credibility. By offering free templates or tools, you attract more users and fortify your online presence in the process.
Bonus Tip: Consider offering templates, spreadsheets, calculators, and any industry-specific tools that will help your audience.
5) Informative Videos
Informative videos can be a powerful and effective tool for naturally attracting backlinks to your website. When you create engaging and highly informative videos that address common questions or challenges within your industry, you not only establish yourself as an authoritative source but also encourage others to share and link to your valuable content. This approach not only helps build trust and credibility but also increases the likelihood of your videos being referenced and linked by other websites, blogs, or social media platforms. As a result, your backlink profile strengthens, leading to increased organic visibility.
The beauty of videos lies in their ability to provide accessible and visual explanations, making them a favored medium for sharing knowledge. By consistently producing high-quality and informative videos, you have the opportunity to connect with your target audience, establish your expertise, and organically generate valuable backlinks over time. Remember, the key is to provide valuable and relevant content that resonates with your viewers, creating a win-win situation where both your audience and your website benefit from shared knowledge and increased visibility.
Bonus Tip: Ensure you don't underestimate the importance of video SEO. Enhance discoverability by incorporating relevant keywords in video titles, descriptions, and tags. Moreover, captivate your audience with an enticing thumbnail and encourage engagement through likes, comments, and shares.
6) Expert Advice and Firsthand Experience
Expert advice and firsthand experiences enhance content, making it a natural magnet for backlinks. Such content serves as a trusted resource for readers and content creators, offering profound insights from industry leaders and sharing authentic experiences. This level of authority and authenticity adds significant value to the discussion on a particular topic, encouraging other websites and content creators to cite it as a reference. The natural accumulation of backlinks is further fueled by the engagement it attracts, including shares, comments, and discussions on social media and professional networks. Each engagement enhances visibility and increases the likelihood of additional backlinks.
By serving as a cornerstone piece that combines expertise with real-world application, this content stands out to both readers and search engines. Search engines prioritize content quality and relevance, so high-quality content improves search engine rankings and drives more organic traffic.
Bonus Tip: When experts share your multimedia content within their networks, it amplifies your visibility and credibility, thereby increasing the potential for organic backlinks. Additionally, tagging contributors and mentioning their handles when promoting your content on social media enhances engagement and encourages their followers to link back to your content.
People Also Ask These Questions About Content for Backlinks
What types of content are most effective for generating backlinks?
Content formats such as infographics, original research, informative videos, free templates/tools, and interactive content tend to perform exceptionally well in attracting backlinks.
Are guest posts an effective way to build backlinks?
Absolutely! Guest posting on reputable websites can be a highly effective strategy for acquiring backlinks, provided that the content is relevant and valuable to the target audience.
Should I reach out to other websites to request backlinks?
While outreach can be a part of your strategy, the ultimate goal is to create content so compelling that other websites naturally link to it without any solicitation.
How do I identify link-building opportunities and websites to target for backlinks?
You can identify link-building opportunities by conducting competitor analysis, using SEO tools to find link prospects, and seeking partnerships with industry influencers to discover valuable opportunities for gaining backlinks.
What role does content promotion play in earning backlinks?
Content promotion plays a vital role in earning backlinks. By promoting your content through various channels, including social media and email marketing, you can significantly increase its visibility and the likelihood of it being linked to by others.
Is it essential to create long-form content for backlinks, or can shorter content be effective?
Both long-form and shorter content can be effective in earning backlinks as long as they provide value and address the needs of your target audience.
What is the significance of anchor text in backlink building?
Anchor text provides context for the linked content, and using descriptive and relevant anchor text can greatly improve the SEO value of the backlink.