5 Types of Interactive Content to Earn High-Quality Backlinks

Using interactive content can help you gain valuable backlinks and improve your SEO. Here are five types of interactive content that can boost your link-building campaigns.

Earning high-quality backlinks that your competitors struggle to replicate gives you a significant SEO advantage. Tactics like guest posting and basic resource link building don't provide a competitive edge anymore. Even newsjacking is unpredictable since you have to wait for the right opportunities.

One reliable approach for earning great links at scale is content marketing and digital PR. The idea is simple:

Create Remarkable Content + Promote to the Right People = Backlinks

When you make a link-worthy asset that publishers, bloggers, and webmasters want to link to, you can drive major growth. But linkable assets come in many forms beyond static infographics - interactive content is extremely powerful.

Let's explore five proven interactive formats with examples that have earned links. We'll look at what makes each engaging and promotable, plus tips for creating successful interactive content.

1. Tools & Calculators

Well-executed tools and calculators are perhaps the most effective way to earn quality links at scale. However, in many industries, simple calculator ideas are overdone and offer nothing new.

Today, you need a truly novel and useful concept for tools and calculators to succeed. Ask yourself:

• What value would this add for users?
• What value would this add as a referenceable resource?
• Is anything similar already out there?

For example, MoneySavingExpert's mortgage calculator has earned links from 337 unique domains, contributing to high search rankings for key terms. It's a great, practical tool that deserves those links.

But creating something comparable today likely wouldn't earn links. Any new calculator needs to:

• Solve a problem uniquely
• Add real value
• Get people excited
• Cover an underexplored area

Brainstorm ideas for tools your audience would find useful themselves. Ensure your concept is pitchable - what makes it irresistibly link-worthy?

Some highly successful tools from a link perspective include:

• Contractor salary calculator - 47 links
• Instagram earnings calculator - 218 links
• Color scheme generator - 21,088 links

These show the variety of effective tools, from simple to complementary to your core offerings. Focus on adding value through novelty. You can get outstanding results with this format by reaching out to relevant resources and pitching your tool as a value-add for their audience.

2. Games & Quizzes

Want a fun twist on interactive content? Games and quizzes can drive engagement, social sharing, and links, although they tend to be resource-intensive.

B2C brands may find these especially effective. Start by brainstorming topics your audience associates with your brand. Then develop game ideas to challenge them in an engaging way.

Bounce quiz concepts off your target audience to sanity check them before diving into production. Consider the angles you'll pitch to encourage links - "Brand Launches Quiz" won't entice publishers. But data from the game can produce irresistible headlines.

Some examples of successful games and quizzes for links:

• Reaction time game - 679 links
• Car alloy wheel quiz - 112 links
• Photo quiz - 84 links

Think through the data you could collect to create buzzworthy headlines and pitch angles.

3. Interactive Maps

Static maps are difficult to use, especially on mobile. Interactive maps allow easy zooming and panning plus hover/click data. They let users explore and compare data across countries, continents, or worldwide.

Maps work well for links because people love comparing themselves to others globally. And you can likely find an engaging angle for most countries.

Some stellar examples:

• What powers the world - 256 links
• Mythical creatures map - 131 links
• Holiday destinations map - 80 links

The challenge is finding interesting, comparable country-level data with shareable insights. But if you crack this, you can earn fantastic links.

4. Indices

For top-tier publisher links, data-driven content in index format performs wonderfully. With multiple ranking factors, you get numerous potential stories and angles.

Don't just make lists - create insightful rankings pulling from a robust data set. Think about what factors you could combine into an index. Launch it interactively, allowing users to:

• Explore the data points
• Sort rankings
• See mapped data
• More

Check out these interactive indices with strong links:

• Traffic index - 2,827 links
• Beauty index - 72 links
• Global broadband index - 48 links

5. Interactive Infographics & Reports

Some say infographics are dead, but a compelling story succeeds regardless of format. Interactive infographics and reports enhance user experience and engage visitors.

Key benefits compared to static assets:

• Present data dynamically
• More creative freedom
• Responsive mobile experience

You can focus on:

• Telling a great story
• Optimal data visualization
• Overall awesome user experience

For inspiration, check out these interactive info/reports with solid links:

• Famous creatives' routines - 885 links
• Pioneering women - 119 links
• Timeline to first million - 97 links

Interactive infographics are a simpler way to start testing formats for link building. As demonstrated, even simple interactive assets can earn high-value links with a strong underlying narrative.

Next Steps

Feel motivated to try interactive content? It's one of the best ways to earn quality links at scale. Focus on compelling stories and keep pushing the format for even bigger link-building campaigns.