Today, I'm sharing 3 simple ways to build links with images.
This little-known tactic can save you thousands in PR. Imagine achieving the same results as a $20,000 PR campaign with just a day's work (or a couple hundred bucks if you outsource).
Link Building with Stock Photos
This link building tactic using stock photos can build 50+ links a month for free.
It's perfect for e-commerce, any image-heavy website, and even competitive niches like CBD and betting.
Here's the formula:
Step 1: Create Stock Photos Related to Your Site
E-commerce stores already have hundreds, if not thousands, of images.
If you don't, grab your phone and start snapping clear, shareable images.
Not sure what images to take? Go to an image sharing site and get inspiration. These images should be usable and high quality enough to attract downloads.
You can even go broad. One example has over 1 MILLION downloads.
Step 2: Upload to Top Stock Image Sites
Upload them to top stock image sites like Unsplash, Flickr, and Wikimedia.
Choose the sites where you want to publish your images. I highly recommend having a virtual assistant handle this.
When uploading your images, keep track of each image in a spreadsheet. This comes in handy later.
You'll want to wait a month before moving onto the next step.
Step 3: Reverse Image Search to Find Usage
Use Google's reverse image search to track sites using your images.
It can be tedious, but outsourcing is an option.
Go to Google image search. Copy the image address, navigate to Google image search, and click on the camera icon.
If you paste the image URL into the text box where it asks for the image link, Google will display all instances of that image it can find online.
Next, make a list of these websites and ask for attribution.
Keep it short, polite, but direct.
Step 4: Request Attribution Links
Let them know you'd appreciate a link to your site from those images.
Yes, you did upload them for free commercial use, but many people will gladly give you credit when asked.
Step 5: Track and Follow Up
Track your outreach in a spreadsheet and set reminders for follow-ups. Consistent outreach will maximise your results.
Set up monthly or quarterly outreach campaigns and watch those free links roll in.
This simple technique can dramatically increase your backlink profile without breaking the bank.
Get 90+ Backlinks in Under 5 Minutes with Infographics
These pillow/foundational links most websites have (or should have).
The more referring domains, the more you fend off spam and negative SEO attacks, or add paid guest posts and PBNs.
Here's how to do it cost-effectively:
Ask ChatGPT, "Create me an infographic on [Topic], [More Info on Topic], do it in [style]."
Feel free to experiment. It doesn't need to be perfect (or correct). We're doing this solely for backlinks.
Next, go to Fiverr. It costs between $5-15 for an infographic submission gig.
Don't do this manually. We are on speed run.
Ask the provider for an example report to see the submissions you'll get. Some sites are decent quality, others not so much.
Avoid links on subdomains (e.g., raymondwqcm16048.blog5.net) as they hold no value. The goal is to add more referring domains to fight spam, not to increase it.
Curate Viral Conference Slides on SlideShare
SlideShare is a powerhouse for discovering, sharing, and captivating audiences with slides.
It's one of the world's most visited websites. Currently ranked #687 on Semrush's global rankings.
I first noticed its potential back in 2018 when Gary Vee published a simple deck that has since garnered over 2,335,136 views.
Here's how to use SlideShare for link building:
1. Curate Event Slides
Create a curated list of slide presentations from all the speakers at a conference or organised event.
It's a crafty way to newsjack a popular event, as these visuals are in high demand. Think about how often attendees ask, "Will you upload your slides online?"
Many attendees and even those who missed the event are always looking for these decks.
2. Ensure Permissions
Make sure you have permission to share the slides. Generally, if the slides are being shared publicly by the organiser or speakers, you're good to go.
3. Promote Your Slides
Don't just rely on SlideShare's traffic, even if it gets thousands of views. Promote your slides on your social media and your blog.
This manual promotion increases your chances of earning valuable backlinks from industry blogs.
4. Link Reclamation
Similar to building backlinks with stock images, you'll often find your slides embedded on various websites with attribution.
Contact these publishers and ask if they can link to your website.
Despite being a straightforward link-building tactic, this method is underutilised, even for clients with strong speaking portfolios.
Verdict
Three image-based link building tactics that cost almost nothing:
- Stock photo uploads to earn new backlinks month after month
- ChatGPT infographic submissions via Fiverr for 90+ referring domains
- Conference slide curation on SlideShare to hijack industry attention
Put them into action for your brand. Happy backlinking.