Backlinks are one of the major ranking factors in SEO because they serve as a “nod of approval” that your website has authority. When a high-authority domain links to yours, it demonstrates your site’s credibility, leading to more traffic generation.
For a website backlinks can be gained by two options.
1. Earning backlinks by publishing link worthy contents(is the discussion of today’s topic)
2. Acquiring backlinks through various tactics like guest posting, link insertion, email outreach etc.
So we are gonna focus on point number one for this article, that is earning backlinks through valuable, link worthy contents. However, not all content performs equally, meaning not every content you publish has the same potential to attract backlinks from high-authority sites.
There are specific types of backlink-worthy content that are good at naturally attracting backlinks. Therefore, having a clear idea of which kind of content works and which doesn’t is essential.
It also makes sense to learn to measure the effectiveness of each content type. That increases the probability of you producing more linkable content.
So, before delving into the content types worthy of backlinks, let’s learn what link-worthy content is.
What’s Linkable Content
Linkable content simply refers to content that’s useful and adds value.
What makes content useful or link-worthy?
To be precise, link-worthy content should have these unique qualities:
- Original
- Informational
- Relevant
- Educational or Inspiring
- Engaging and valuable
In Google’s eyes, content that satisfies a user’s intent(to find a piece of information), solves a problem, or answers a question in the most comprehensive and valuable way is worthy of a link.
If you can create content that ticks all the requirements of a highly shareable piece of content, you have created something that other website owners, content creators like and want to recommend and are happy to share with others.
Thus, you earn a chance to attract organic backlinks.
Now, let’s discuss the content types that have the potential to earn more backlinks.
6 Link-Worthy Content Ideas and Why Should You Consider Them
Content Type 1: Evergreen Articles or Content
Evergreen content is the type of content that remains accessible, relevant, and fresh for readers at any point in time. It could be anything from how-to posts to long-form content, lists, explainers, E-Books, guides, or checklists. It’s called an ‘evergreen’ piece of content because it continues to drive and grow traffic by being relevant at all times.
Thus making it one of the prime examples of link worthy content. The more your evergreen article is seen, shared, and linked, the more enduring its traffic will be, driving visitors to your site for years to come.
Why It Works:
Evergreen content is like an asset for companies that continue to provide value long after its publication. Unlike time-sensitive content (like news articles, the latest trends, statistics, or articles written to answer a pain point), content which covers a topic in the most comprehensive way possible remains relevant and, therefore, continues to attract backlinks in the long run, helping search engines rank your content higher.
The psychology behind its allure is simple. The magic of evergreen content is that it continues to be a topic that never gets old and remains interesting for people year after year, bringing in more visits and steady traffic.
For instance, Backlinko’s “SEO Basics: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners” is an excellent example of evergreen content done right. This in-depth guide has attracted 682 backlinks and consistently ranks high in search engine results.
Content Type 2: Data-Driven Content
Simply put, data-driven contents are based on facts and figures. The data used to produce content can be insights into your audience’s user behavior, industry trends, original research study, etc.
For data-driven content to make its impact, your content should talk about data that matters and delivers valuable insights. Conduct surveys, interviews, and website analytics research, collect individual behavior attributes to gather data.
In order to gather data for these kinds of content pieces you can either opt for primary research or secondary research.
Now, with the data collected, you can create, for example, data-backed blog posts, whitepapers, graphical charts and infographics that provide evidence-based information and recommendations.
Why It Works:
Data-driven content, based on facts and figures, excels at building and sustaining a strong backlink profile. By providing concrete evidence, it satisfies human curiosity and the need for certainty.
A study by BuzzSumo revealed that a data-driven blog post receives 37% more shares than a blog written without relevant data.
Imagine if you are reading about the “Top 5 Social Media Platforms for Marketing.” A list without data feels like an opinion. But what if it has statistics on user growth or engagement rates? It becomes more convincing.
Image: Social Media User Growth Statistics
Plus, other websites prefer linking to data-driven content because this type of content is worthy of news, with industry publications and news outlets willing to cite your research. If you publish a well-researched report on a topic, people are more likely to reference your data as a credible source.
HubSpot’s State of Inbound Report is a prime example of data-driven content. It’s an annual report backed by industry data on marketing trends and user behavior and is a go-to resource for marketers everywhere. The report generated numerous backlinks due to its insightful findings and industry-wide relevance.
Content Type 3: Visual Content
Visual content is essentially image-based content. It can contain pictures, diagrams, charts, infographics, online videos, screenshots, slideshows, data visualizations, illustrations, or graphics to deliver complex information in a simple manner.
Persuasive visual content piques interest and invites more clicks than any other form of content.
Why It Works
Did you know that infographics happen to be the most effective visual content shared and linked to 3 times more often than other content types on social media – Hubspot
In a study, marketers were asked which types of visuals attracted the highest engagement. 41.5% of marketers voted for infographics and other original graphics that drew the most engagement. Data visualizations and charts were the second most popular choice, favored by 25.7% of marketers.
The numbers don’t lie. It shows how much people love visuals. In fact, they gravitate towards thoughtful visuals. Visuals have the power to break down complex information into easily digestible chunks.
High-quality infographics, charts, and graphs make data readily understandable, making your content a valuable resource for others to reference and link back to when discussing similar topics.
If you manage to create engaging infographics, you can increase the likelihood of being referenced and linked back to by others.
Content Type 4: Niche-Specific Content
Any content created based on an in-depth analysis of a specific topic tailored to a specific audience group is niche-specific. Niche-specific content has the following attributes:
Authentic: Niche-specific content reflects a brand’s expertise and resonates with audiences with strong interests in the specific topic.
Useable: In addition to being informative, niche content includes actionable steps that readers can apply in their own lives or businesses.
Visually Engaging: Visual elements satisfy a broad range of learning styles, making niche-specific content engaging, digestible, and even share-worthy.
In-Depth: The depth and quality of your niche-specific content ensures that it provides comprehensive and valuable insights, establishing your brand as a trusted authority in the specific field.
From industry reports and whitepapers to expert advice articles with testimonials and case studies, niche-specific content has the potential to attract high-quality backlinks.
Why?
Because in-depth white papers or industry reports can identify industry challenges and present solutions to businesses that want to overcome specific obstacles.
Plus, they provide detailed explanations and insights into a complex topic and answer questions that readers may have been struggling to find answers to elsewhere.
Case studies showcase how your solutions have addressed real-world challenges faced by businesses.
Practical experiences, personal stories, and testimonials from satisfied customers add social proof and a layer of trust to your brand.
Why It Works:
An in-depth analysis of specific topics positions your brand as a trusted and knowledgeable source. Plus, incorporating original research and data into your content solidifies your brand’s credibility and makes your site the primary source.
In a collaborative study conducted by BuzzSumo and Mantis Research, 9 out of 10 businesses reported success with original research initiatives.
Content backed by original research and data gets more links and shares. Here’s an example:
Orbit Media, a renowned digital marketing agency, analyzed the top 50 marketing websites as part of their original research and found that a significant number of these sites included a search bar, indicating its importance. They decided to share these original findings in a well-structured article, which ended up attracting over 178 backlinks and 610 shares.
Content Type 5: Easy-to-Digest List Posts
List posts or listicles are well-structured lists that present information in a concise format for readers to grasp key points quickly. Let’s have a look at what makes list posts worthy of links.
Why It Works:
People are naturally drawn to list posts. Their clear structure and skimmable format encourage engagement and make them highly shareable, increasing the likelihood of getting quality incoming links.
The title of a list post gives readers an idea of what to expect. When people know what to expect from a post from the title itself, your post is more likely to be clicked.
Listicles often generate more shares and social media traffic than other types of content. This makes tracking their impact on website traffic and potential leads easier, enabling marketers to determine an accurate ROI.
A Backlinko study says that listicles tend to outperform infographics and how-to posts in terms of social shares, receiving 203% and 218% more shares, respectively.
Listicles can do wonders for your website. Bring a fresh perspective to your piece of content, include out-of-the-box yet valuable ideas, and you are well on your way to engaging as many audiences as you want.
Content Type 6: Interactive Content
Content that conveys a message by encouraging active user participation and personalization. It’s a dynamic content type that requires user input. Think polls, quizzes, games, surveys, tools, or calculators.
For example, if you create a helpful tool for your industry, think about how many links and traffic you can generate from it.
A lot.
So, Why It Works:
Interactive content offers a unique, immersive experience that captivates audiences and sets your brand apart.
Thanks to the ability to make users active participants, interactive content fosters a deeper connection with your audience, leading to increased shares and social media buzz.
Interactive elements often have reusable value, and they can encourage consumers to return and engage with the content multiple times.
Studies have shown that interactive content is more effective than passive content, converting buyers 70% of the time compared to just 36%. Why? Because interactive content like a quiz demands user engagement and input. When your content engages people, they are more likely to convert.
A great example of interactive content is NerdWallet’s Mortgage Calculator, which was created to inform, educate, and drive engagement.
As more people engage with your interactive content (for example, a calculator), the chances of referrals, links, and shares increase significantly. Therefore, if you want to stand out from the crowd and gain more backlinks, leverage your ideas to create interactive content that not only informs and engages but also provides tangible value.
So far, we have delved into linkable content, exploring the different types that can attract a plethora of backlinks.
But how do we measure the impact of your content strategy?
That’s where tracking backlink performance and analyzing content effectiveness come into play. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the measurement process.
Measuring Backlink Performance and Content Effectiveness
Backlink performance analysis and content marketing strategy monitoring are two important aspects of a successful digital marketing strategy.
The situation is that you have invested time and effort into creating linkable content, but how do you ensure it attracts the most visitors and ultimately boosts your website authority?
The answer is by leveraging the right tools and delving into valuable insights.
Here’s how to approach it:
1. Setting Up Proper Tracking Mechanisms:
You need to monitor your backlink profile and content performance effectively. For this, you will need to implement a robust tracking system using some powerful tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Moz, and Google Alerts.
For example, you might want to use Google Search Console to have a clear idea of your site’s search traffic, including backlinks. It helps you to track the number of backlinks, their anchor texts, and the referring domains.
Use Ahrefs to track your backlink profile, identify toxic backlinks, and monitor your domain’s authority. Also, set up Google Alerts to monitor brand mentions, backlinks, and industry news. This helps you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and spot potential backlink opportunities.
2. Evaluating Backlink Quality and Growth:
Once you have your tracking tools in place, it’s time to evaluate your backlink quality and growth. Start with assessing the source of your backlinks.
Since backlinks are votes of confidence from other websites. Therefore, the quality of that vote matters. Assess the authority and relevance of linking sites with SEO tools like Ahrefs. It helps you look at the site’s domain authority (DA), an important metric that predicts a site’s ability to rank.
A higher DA indicates a more authoritative site. It would help if you also considered the linking site’s relevance to your niche. A backlink from a highly relevant site carries more weight than one from a not-so-related site.
Apart from focusing only on the quality of links, consider assessing link volume (the number of backlinks pointing to your site).
Various tools help you assess link volume, including SEMrush, Moz, and Ahrefs. These tools provide insights into the number of backlinks, keyword rankings, referring domains, anchor text distribution, and more.
Now that we got the backlinks tracking and analyzing parts sorted. Let’s focus on the tools you can use to understand the impact of your content.
BuzzSumo is a powerful tool to analyze content performance. It helps you understand how your content is performing on social media by providing valuable details on social shares, backlinks, and overall engagement.
Depending on this data, you can identify trends and optimize your content strategy accordingly. Let’s know more in the next section.
3. Analyzing Content Impact:
Part of the content analysis process is translating numbers into actionable insights to refine your content strategy.
You have created a link-worthy piece of content. Wouldn’t you want to know how people are reacting to it? This is where a variety of metrics come into play, including:
1. Social Media Sharing: Did your content get shared across social platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter? High social shares indicate that people find your content valuable enough to spread the word.
2. Engagement on Your Site: See if people are commenting on your content, asking questions, or participating in discussions. High engagement means that your content can spark conversation and resonate with your audience.
3. Inbound Links & Brand Mentions: Are other websites linking to your content or mentioning your brand? It’s a strong indicator that your content holds credibility.
4. Website Traffic Metrics: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to see how people interact with your content. Focus on metrics like article views, click-through rate (CTR), bounce rate, and time on page.
High article views and low bounce rates suggest your content is doing well. A good CTR indicates that your content entices readers to click through to other parts of your site. Time on the page tells you how long people spend reading your content, which can indicate the depth and value it offers.
Now, by analyzing these metrics, you can pinpoint what’s working well and identify areas that need improvement.
For example, if a blog post has high social shares but a low time on the page, it might be a sign that the content is catchy but lacks depth.
On the other hand, a blog post with low social shares and high time on the page suggests a complex topic that requires further explanation or visuals. Remember, website traffic metrics are just one piece of the puzzle. You should also consider analyzing your content’s search engine ranking performance using tools like SEMRush.
When you combine backlink data with content performance indicators, you can paint a holistic picture of your content’s effectiveness. This allows you to refine your content strategy and make the most of link-worthy content.
Ultimately, the idea is to create content that not only attracts high-quality backlinks but also resonates with your audience and drives website traffic.
Wrap Up
The role of content in link building strategies cannot be overstated. From evergreen content to data-driven or visual content, every type has its own uniqueness and perks in terms of getting the most backlinks and generating traffic.
Hopefully, you have a clearer understanding of the different types of linkable content and why each content strategy works in terms of pulling incoming links. Now, by measuring the impact of each content type, you can stay on top of the SEO game.
Learn how to leverage the power of SEO tools to monitor how your content performs and if it’s worthy of attracting valuable links that are good for your website’s ranking. The content creation process is a cycle. Use the insights you gain from your analysis to refine your strategy and create even more compelling and engaging content that attracts backlinks and readers.
