Why Infographics are Still Important for Blogging

Are infographics a thing of the past or are they still important? Infographics were once seen as an easy way to convey information clearly and concisely. But are they still worth incorporating in a blog post today? We say yes to the debate on infographics and their value today. Here’s why infographics are still essential for bloggers today.

Infographics in the Past

Infographics first gained popularity as an innovative way to display complex data in a captivating and easily understandable way. Rather than only relying on words to present information, bloggers turned to infographics to visually represent their material. Readers were drawn to this visually appealing format, and infographics took off.

The prevalence of infographics grew significantly in the 2010s, seeing the biggest increase in marketing budgets in 2015-2016. Google Trends shows a peak in searches for infographics from 2010 to 2014, with the frequency of searches lowering some since then but still indicating broad interest.

Historically, infographics were often long and information-dense. Much of the knowledge being shared was summarized within the graphic. As businesses began noticing that infographics were an appealing way to display data, many included them in their blogs. Some came to rely on visitors sharing infographics to drive traffic to their sites. However, perhaps, with so many bloggers and websites relying on infographics, they no longer stood out and were no longer guaranteed to produce results.

Infographics in the Present

Numbers don’t lie, and data shows that humans are inherently visual learners. People retain significantly more information when it is presented visually compared. Infographics combine information with the visual imagery that our brains crave.

Sites with visual content in their blog posts see better results than those without, and visual content is shared at a much greater frequency than other content. Even as the trends have changed, infographics continue to be shared at a rate three times higher than any other content on social media. In addition, articles spotlighting infographics receive 72% more views than articles without them.

The key to making an infographic that doesn’t get lost in the shuffle is adapting to current trends. Previously, it was common to produce longer, more complex infographics. Today, with so much content competing for our attention, readers may not stop to take in a more detailed infographic. The good news is that great infographics continue to produce results.

So, what makes a great infographic? Successful infographics provide high-quality, accurate information in a visually appealing way. 

In the age of social media, readers are often used to getting information quickly and concisely. Very few people are reading every single blog post from beginning to end. Some skim for the information they want, and infographics fill that demand. Today’s infographics are shorter than they were in the past and are often broken up for easy sharing on social media.

In 2022, videos are leading content, with reels and TikTok seeing huge popularity, and successful infographics are following this trend. Successful modern infographics are much more likely to include a video or interactive component. In place of more static infographics, those with dynamic parts are often preferred. In recent years, we have witnessed the rise of gif infographics, real-time data visualization, and interactive infographics, with these new forms often enjoying more popularity and shares than the older style.

Infographics in the Future

Blogging is always evolving, and, like all content creators, successful bloggers will continue to adapt to changing trends.

While we can’t predict future shifts, we can stay informed and learn new skills. Bloggers can benefit from rethinking the way they use infographics to reach current audiences and adapt to modern attention spans.

The Takeaway

Regardless of the form they take, infographics remain an effective way to clearly and concisely present information. Visually appealing infographics entice the parts of our brain that seek out and retain visual input. They also are attractive to individuals looking for a simple synopsis instead of reading a full article. Infographics are easy to share and can increase traffic.

Finally, infographics can reflect your brand voice. Bloggers can tailor infographics to their niche, choose fonts and colors, and utilize language that is consistent with their brand. So yes, we say infographics are still important and can be an effective tool in engaging the reader and driving more traffic to your post.

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