Digital Marketing Philippines

Link Baiting: Using Viral Content to Attract Backlinks (Infographic)

Jomer Gregorio -

Inbound links or backlinks continue to be important in search engine optimization (SEO). They signify a vote of confidence from other sites and signal search engines that the company’s content is reliable. 

Search engines measure a webpage’s backlinks when ranking search results by counting the quantity and caliber of links pointing to the page. This makes link-building crucial in boosting a website’s rank in search engines. 

But link-building is not an easy feat, as you won’t receive backlinks to all your website’s pages. Fortunately, you can design a specific kind of page that will naturally draw in links more effectively. You may construct additional link magnets and attract links to your website by link baiting.

Link Baiting: Using Viral Content to Attract Backlinks Infographic

Link baiting is an online marketing technique used to make website links that attract backlinks. It leverages a topic that is sensational, controversial, or, at the very least, captivating enough to draw in viewers. With content that discusses a consequential topic, other sites may link to the page as a source.   

Link bait is the term for the content the author publishes on a website. This differs from other types of content in that it aims to persuade other bloggers and webmasters to mention the topic on their site and link the information back to the source page. 

There are different approaches businesses can use to create a link bait. This includes: 

  • adding visuals 
  • addressing controversies 
  • citing data and statistics 
  • ego baiting
  • using emotional hooks
  • providing utility

Link bait can help improve a page’s Google ranking and increase organic traffic. If you produce link bait on subjects that people are searching for, traffic to that page will not only come from search engines. Increased traffic will result from users clicking on the hyperlinked information from external sites.

Link baiting works because it taps into human psychology and leverages the principles of curiosity, self-interest, and social validation. By creating content that aims to attract backlinks, companies will have higher chances of being perceived as an authority in their fields and getting more mentions on other sites. 

Links also have a huge influence on Google’s ranking algorithm. Pages with more links typically rank better and receive more traffic.

However, numerous online content has virtually zero backlinks, and this covers even high-quality content. In a study, Moz and BuzzSumo looked into 100,000 randomly selected posts and discovered that 75% of online content has zero external links. They associated this finding with producing poor content and using bad strategies to amplify materials. The investigation supports why it’s crucial to provide material that is intended for link building.

Rather than being passive about link building, companies should work with a top SEO agency Philippines to take a proactive approach to their backlink strategy.

The most crucial component of link-baiting in SEO is producing interesting content that the readers will value. Readers are more inclined to share the link if your content is valuable to them.

Link bait ideas include: 

  • breaking news 
  • shocking visuals 
  • infographics 
  • controversies 
  • humor 
  • instructional materials 
  • apps 
  1. Add Visuals

Using visuals can be a highly effective strategy for link baiting. Visual content is more engaging, shareable, and memorable, making it more likely to attract links from other websites.   

  • Infographics: The combination of compelling visuals and valuable content can make infographics highly shareable, increasing the likelihood of earning links from other websites.
  • Data visualizations: Presenting data through charts, graphs, maps, or interactive visualizations make it more accessible and engaging for users. 
  • Videos: High-quality videos that are entertaining, informative, or both have the potential to go viral and attract attention from a range of audiences.
  • Memes and GIFs: Humorous or relatable memes and GIFs have the potential to spread rapidly on social media, generating attention, shares, and backlinks. 

With support from graphic design outsourcing companies, website owners can optimize their visual content for search engines. An SEO firm Philippines can also help promote the visual content through social media, email marketing, and outreach efforts to increase its visibility and encourage linking from others.

  1. Address Controversial Topics

Content that challenges norms, addresses controversial subjects, or offers a fresh perspective can generate attention and discussion. However, it’s important to handle sensitive topics carefully and provide well-reasoned arguments supported by evidence.

Here are some considerations and strategies to employ when using controversial topics for link baiting:

  • Conduct thorough research and find credible sources.
  • Use a balanced and respectful tone.
  • Provide unique insights and perspectives.
  • Position as a thought leader and provide expert opinions.

Be prepared for potential backlash or negative reactions and handle them professionally and respectfully. Remember, the goal is to foster meaningful discussions and provide valuable insights rather than inciting controversy with the sole purpose of baiting them into reading.

  1. Ego Baiting

This involves appealing to the ego or self-interest of individuals or organizations to earn links. It leverages the desire for recognition and validation to encourage others to link to your content. 

Here are some approaches for ego-baiting in link-building:

  • Expert roundups and interviews: Reach out to industry experts, influencers, or thought leaders and ask them to contribute their insights or participate in an interview for your content. When the content is published, they are likely to share it with their audience, potentially resulting in links from their websites or social media platforms.
  • Case studies and success stories: Showcase success stories or case studies highlighting the individual’s or organization’s achievements or positive experiences in your industry. Notify the featured subjects and ask them to share the content on their platforms.
  • Influencer partnerships and collaborations: Collaborate with influencers or popular content creators in your industry to co-create content, host webinars, or conduct joint projects. The influencers will likely share the collaborative content with their followers, potentially resulting in links from their platforms.
  • Awards and recognition programs: Establish your own awards or recognition program to acknowledge outstanding individuals, organizations, or products in your industry. Publicize the program and encourage participants to promote their nominations or awards on their websites, potentially generating links.

Conclusion

Businesses can use link baiting to improve their website’s SEO and drive traffic to their pages. With high-quality and valuable content that targets the readers’ interests and curiosity, link baiting is a great way to boost your website’s visibility and reach. 

Partner with an SEO agency Philippines to start link baiting and boost your backlink strategy. Contact Digital Marketing Philippines (DMP) to learn how SEO experts can help you reach your marketing goals.

References:

https://backlinko.com/hub/seo/linkbait

https://searchengineland.com/library/seo/link-building

https://ahrefs.com/blog/link-bait/

Jomer Gregorio

Jomer B. Gregorio is a well-rounded expert when it comes digital marketing. Jomer is also known as a semantic SEO evangelist and practitioner. Check out our Digital Marketing Services today and let us help you in achieving positive and profitable results for your business.