A picture paints a thousand words, but how about a pixel? Infographics have maintained a steadfast presence in digital marketing. They can communicate complex information in an easily digestible and visually enticing format.
If you want to share information with someone, tell it to them. If you want your audience to retain that information, show it to them! Infographics are an effective way to summarise and share information in a way words alone cannot accomplish.
Reports of the infographic’s death have been greatly exaggerated. It empowers content marketers to capture an audience, retain interest, and deliver a message all through one piece of content.
What is an infographic? How can it effectively work alongside SEO? Discover why these bite-sized pieces of visual content still matter for your content strategy.
What is an Infographic?
You see them everywhere, from the boardroom to the classroom infographics populate our media and life. With the word tossed around so liberally, it’s high time we ask, what exactly is it?
At their core, infographics are a visual representation of information. By combining textual and graphic design elements, such data visualizations can effectively display complex information in a captivating and understandable way.
The Benefits of Infographics
While the pen may be mightier than the sword, the infographic is perhaps stronger than both. People are visual creatures. Like moths to a flame, audiences flock to content with great colour schemes and high-impact graphics. They can effectively combine the written word with visual elements to pack big ideas into small spaces. Presenting information in this compelling manner cuts through the deafening noise of competing content to make yours stand out.
Digestible Data
Around 90% of the information we retain is visual, so digital marketers must tap into this optic nerve. Infographics capture audiences’ attention by delivering heavy or otherwise dense information in a more digestible way. They translate lengthy paragraphs into bite-size chunks of information that are easy to understand. They are an effective way to etch your brand into the memories of your audience.
A Language Everyone Can Understand
Infographics are a universal language. Using graphics to communicate data removes language barriers and opens your content to a wider audience. While Google Translate will do in a pinch, infographics make your information more accessible to an international audience.
Become an Authority on the Subject
If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you may not understand it yourself. A similar logic applies to infographics. Delivering a concept through graphics and minimal text demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the topic. It positions you as an expert in your field.
By positioning yourself as an expert in your industry, you build credibility for your brand and increase traffic and links to your website.
How Effective Infographics Lead to Successful SEO
Infographics are just as effective at capturing Google’s attention as users’. From an SEO standpoint, they remain among the most effective methods of link building and increasing your overall ranking. Here’s why:
Sharable and Linkable
Infographics are not only simple to consume but easy to share. They can generate numerous inbound links for your website—one of the most critical factors in SEO rankings.
People are always looking for content to share or re-blog. When you craft a solid infographic chock-full of valuable stats and information, people will be eager to share it on their sites.
Versatility in Content
Where other forms of content are more of a one-and-done deal, the visual nature of infographics is more flexible. You can turn a single infographic into multiple pieces of content used in an e-book, social media, or your website. The multi-functional ability of infographics means you get more bang for your content buck and create a cohesive message throughout your content.
Relevant for Years to come
Content tends to linger on the internet. Some may linger more than you’d like (perhaps your embarrassing profile pic from 2012); some may linger less. The continued relevance of your content should always be at the core of your SEO strategy. A compelling infographic will often enjoy a much longer shelf life than written content, generating brand awareness and inbounding linking for years to come.
Are Infographics Still an Effective Option?
Have you come to believe that infographics are dead? We understand the complaints: the market’s too saturated, and the novelty has worn off. But as far as we can tell, this form of content still has plenty left in the tank. Not only are they not dead, but they can also give your website life long after you post them.
While marketers are always on the hunt for the next big innovation, sometimes the tried and true is the way to go. Infographics remain one of the most effective avenues for boosting your brand and climbing those google rankings.