From stock photography to graphs, charts, screenshots, and infographics, you have plenty of ways to illustrate a blog post. The real question is: which image types actually help bloggers inform readers, earn links, and rank in search?
Yes—adding images is worth the effort. Articles with at least one image enjoy roughly double the traffic, plus more shares and backlinks. Images also improve scanability, reinforce key points, and can boost Core Web Vitals when optimized correctly.
With that in mind, here are the image and graphic types that most reliably lift engagement and organic visibility—and how to use each well.
Stock photography
Stock photos used to feel generic, but libraries have improved. Platforms like Shutterstock, Pixabay, and iStock offer huge catalogs, including diverse, authentic-looking scenes. The key is intent: choose images that advance your point—avoid filler shots that could appear in any post.
Use platform search filters (orientation, color, subject, copy space) to find visuals that match your topic and audience. Then lightly customize: crop, add a subtle overlay, or include brand colors and labels so the image supports your narrative and looks unique.
Always confirm licensing and usage rights, especially for commercial posts. When possible, favor original photography or edited stock that clearly relates to the specific paragraph it sits beside.
Screenshots
Screenshots shine in tutorials, reviews, and how-to guides. When we publish walkthroughs on Quick Sprout, step-by-step screenshots make instructions obvious and trustworthy. Annotate sparingly (boxes, arrows, labels), blur sensitive data, and capture at 100% zoom to keep text crisp.
Most devices have built-in capture tools, but quality matters. If your uploads look soft or pixelated, try a browser or desktop tool that exports at exact dimensions and high resolution (for example, full-page capture tools or purpose-built screenshot apps). Save UI images as PNG or WebP for clarity, and compress before upload to protect page speed.
Hand-drawn images
The Oatmeal is a classic example of using hand-drawn visuals to build a recognizable voice. Custom illustrations can communicate complex ideas with humor and originality—two things that attract links and shares.
They do take time or budget. If you’re not an illustrator, commission a freelancer for repeatable assets (characters, icons, scenes) you can reuse across posts. Provide a clear brief so the drawings reinforce your message, and keep accessibility in mind with descriptive alt text.
Graphs and charts
Graphs and charts are powerful because data persuades. Use them to quantify claims, compare options, or show trends. Favor simple chart types, label axes clearly, and include plain-language takeaways in the surrounding text so readers grasp the “so what” fast.
Data-rich posts tend to attract relevant links over time—especially when you cite reputable sources and keep numbers current. If your topic doesn’t suit a chart, a compact infographic or annotated screenshot often communicates the idea more cleanly.
Infographics
Infographics are one of our most-used formats after stock photography. They package complex info into a scannable asset that’s easy to embed and share. Keep the design clean, avoid tiny text, and front-load the key insight near the top to win attention on mobile and social.
Beyond traffic and shares, infographics can earn organic links when they summarize credible research and offer a unique angle. For best results, pair the image with explanatory paragraphs so the page can rank on its own—even if the graphic is re-used elsewhere.
Tools like Canva make it simple to resize for different platforms and export to WebP for smaller file sizes. Add a brief caption crediting data sources when helpful.
Royalty free images
“Royalty-free” means you don’t pay ongoing royalties per use—not that the image is always free. Subscriptions like Canva Pro include broad licensing, while sites like Unsplash and Pexels offer no-cost images with generous, but specific, terms. Read licenses, especially for commercial use or when people and private property are visible.
Good practice: keep attribution details in your CMS or DAM, and credit creators when a license requests it. When the same image appears across multiple networks, tailor captions and alt text to the context so each placement remains useful and compliant.
Animated graphics
Animated visuals—GIFs, short loops, and motion infographics—grab attention in feeds and simplify multi-step concepts. They can outperform static images for engagement, but large GIFs are heavy. When possible, export short clips as MP4 or WebM for smaller files and faster pages, and include a caption that explains the key takeaway.
You can also create lightweight animated elements (progressions, arrows, highlight pulses) to guide the eye without distracting from the content. Tools that export ready-to-embed animations make this easier than fully hand-drawn sequences.
We occasionally publish animated infographics on Quick Sprout. They’re most cost-effective for evergreen topics where the same motion asset can be reused or syndicated.
Conclusion
To earn more traffic and links, prioritize images that are original, relevant, and genuinely helpful. If you can invest the time, custom drawings and tasteful animations stand out. If not, screenshots, clear charts, and well-chosen stock photography still elevate your posts and make concepts easy to grasp.
AI-generated art is an increasingly popular image choice. Test it for concepts and placeholders, review license terms for each tool, and add human editing so results match your brand and message.
Whatever you choose, match the visual to the content’s intent, write descriptive alt text, compress files, and place images near the paragraphs they support. That combination improves user experience—and gives your post a better shot at ranking.
What image types do you use on your blog?