Make Embed Codes for Infographics for Effective Linkbaiting

Infographics are basically poster-like images that are not only filled with images but also tidbits of information and data. Statistics are accompanied with attractive visuals, which could be 3D pies, graphs, charts, and other figures. They are extremely easy to share in social media networks like [tp lang=”en” only=”y”]Pinterest[/tp][tp not_in=”en”]Pinterest[/tp] or embed in blogs and websites. Since they are not only appealing but also informative, they are considered as excellent content by users, webmasters, and even by search engines.

All these qualities make infographics the ideal tool for linkbait. Users who are impressed by the content they see in an infographic are usually compelled to look for the source in hopes that the website will have more infographics they can use. Webmasters can even capitalize on the usefulness of infographics and viewer behavior by embedding codes on the visually arresting pieces of content.

How to Create Embed Codes

Creating an embed code is actually very easy since it’s all HTML coding. It’s creating the infographic that will take much of your time. Once your infographic is ready, do the following:

1. Load the infographic in your site or any image-hosting service you are using for your website.
2. Create the embed code for your infographic. It should have the following components as well:

• title tag
• alt tag
• infographic URL link
• source website URL link

You may also include tags for the width and height of the infographic, but make sure that the proportions of the width and height are maintained even if you resize them. This prevents your infographic from looking warped.

Other Tips:

1. Make your infographic around 1800 pixels wide. It is always better to have to reduce an image rather than enlarge it and still be unable to read the contents because the pixel size is too small.
2. Another option for WordPress users is to use the Embed Code Generator plug-in. It will include all the components above in your embed code. The best part here is you can include “Courtesy of [your site name]” and “Courtesy of [your site URL].” The first will automatically site your website name each time the infographic is used by another website, and the second will make that a clickable link.
3. Implement measures to discourage people from simply copying your infographic and using it without giving your website a referral or due recognition. Watermarks are commonly used by websites selling stock images, but since the same cannot be done on an infographic, you can block the right-click mouse function on your page. Although not foolproof, precautions like this will deter the casual users and hopefully prompt other websites to ask for your permission or at least cite your site as its source.
4. Give other websites permission to post a “teaser” version of your infographic. Use maybe the top one-third of the image and request people to simply click on the link back to your website if they want to view the entire thing. It would be better to choose a portion that contains vital information and partially show it in your teaser thumbnail.

A Warning

Take advantage of using infographics as linkbaits now that it can still bring valuable link juice. Rumor has it that they will no longer be as valuable in the future. Matt Cutts said in an interview with StoneTemple.com’s Eric Enge back in July 2012 that Google may have to devaluate infographics. Although infographics are excellent content because they present data and facts in a more engaging and attractive manner, they are also have high potential for linkbait abuse. It’s too easy for infographics creators to insert irrelevant links or include false data. Given that Google is always geared towards providing users with the best information and user experience possible, it is understandable that they would want to set precautions against any avenue that may be used to fool users.