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It should come as no surprise to you to learn that for a blog post to be successful you need a combination of captivating content, and well-optimized, attractive, professional imagery. That much is clear.

However, what’s not so clear is how these images should be used. Where should you place them in your post? What kind of images should you include? How important is speed? Where should I get them from? And what about screenshots and charts?

Today we’re going to answer the questions above using studies, statistics, and data to back up our ideas.

Let’s get started with these 5 data-driven best practices for using imagery.

1.   Use authentic images

What is an authentic image? An authentic image is the opposite of an overly generic stock photo. There are plenty of high-quality stock images you can use to convey vibrancy, integrity, and vitality without feeling like obvious stock imagery.

You want to convey the feeling that the chosen image fits your article exactly, so much so, that it feels like it would not be used for any other piece of writing. You can reach your audience more effectively if your image further expands on the article, illuminates, or adds a sensory, tactile experience.

Blog expert explains that readers tend to check out about a quarter of the text on a page. At that point of reading, they choose whether to stay or leave. So a great image can go a long way towards helping people stay. And according to the Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab, true-to-life images help readers legitimise the content.

Yet avoiding generic, impersonal images is just the first step. advises being wary of blurry images, too. They come across as unprofessional, undeveloped, and just not on par with reader expectations. Sometimes when we have a priceless photo, we think to ourselves, “I’ll try to sharpen this up in PhotoShop,” but TechSmith cautions that it’s better to dump it and get a new, higher-resolution image.

2.   Have images open quickly

If your article and accompanying image loads in over 2 seconds, just think about it: Why would anyone want to wait that long? A quick Google search will offer similar images via dozens of sites, so the easiest thing in the world is for the reader to click elsewhere.

Recent studies have offered varying results on optimal timing, but generally, you want your images opening within 2 seconds. You need to make sure your images open as quickly as your article does, so that your readers won’t go astray.

According to , sites that load even faster receive higher rankings. This translates to more hits, views, and interest. HubSpot also pointed to the unique importance of loading speed on mobile devices, where fast loading is even more imperative to meeting the consumer’s click-and-run lifestyle.

It’s suggested to keep the loading time of images on mobile to under a second. Doubleclick by Google found that if it takes as long as 3 seconds to load a mobile image, you might find as much as half of your audience clicking elsewhere!

3.   Use a “Content Column” to minimize text

An excellent photo gives a sense of immediacy, excitement, and vibrancy. By placing an image right after a compelling opening paragraph, you pique the reader’s interest, hook them into the content, and entice them to keep reading.

You catch their attention, motivate them, and inspire. quoted Alexandra Skey of Get Spokal as saying, “We remember photos 6 times easier than text. So not only will people enjoy reading your blog more if you include beautiful photos, they’re more likely to remember it too.”

Yet according to Buffer, there’s more of a science to it than just including a photo. Buffer says it’s not just about leading with a perfect image, but placing the image to the right or left of that very first paragraph.

Why?

Placing pics to the left or right of text limits the overwhelming feeling people can get when they dive into the first paragraph. It automatically designs the layout to allow for fewer words in those first few sentences! With a smaller volume to read, the audience will quickly choose whether to stay. Buffer says that “placing an image at the top-right or top-left of your blog post forces the first few lines of the post to shorten in width… Fewer characters per line have a psychological effect on the way we view content: the fewer the characters, the easier the text is to comprehend and the less complex it seems.”

So short and sweet, image-based reading is perceived as a big plus. has named the left/right-side image technique as using a “Content Column.” Do you want to take further advantage of the tactic?

suggests breaking up paragraphs even more than that! To Patel, a paragraph can be as brief as a few words. It helps the reader feel comfortable and less intimidated when facing big or innovative ideas or when reading in a hurry.

At the same time, a writer should refrain from making the images become more prominent than the actual text. The article should remain the core offering, as readers need data. blog management service recommends using one image for every 350 words.

4.   Use screenshots to enhance learning

Are you writing a how-to article, or are you describing an online feature, craft, or concept? Screenshots can help your reader absorb complex ideas in a flash. They can also create an intimate feeling, as if you’re a trusted teacher offering personal guidance.

Plus, a screenshot takes the abstract idea you want to explain and makes it more concrete.

When adding a screenshot, be sure to zoom in on the core area, so the reader can focus on the main message. You can use arrows or other illustrations to indicate key features in the shot.

Furthermore, don’t limit visual instructions to screenshots. You can also try infographics to bring data to life. says that infographics are shared three times more on social media in comparison to other kinds of content.

Not sure how to get started with infographics? Begin by showing info with simple pie charts, graphs, or captions. They make even basic concepts hit home in a special way.

5.   Use beautiful pictures – legally

When it comes to basic outreach via blogs and advertising, beautiful scenes and top-notch designs continue to inspire us. In our corporate world, stunning images of nature create a feeling of ease and calm, so whenever appropriate, try to post spectacular images that convey this kind of serenity. Your readers will thank you for it and might be more drawn to your writing as it awakens a feeling of curiosity or adventure.

There’s a science behind the ability of images to influence. The phenomenon has been noted as the “.” Research shows that images make a deep impression on our memory, even more so than information that is conveyed only in words.

Subtle colours like pastels can help create feelings of wellbeing and happiness in the reader. A brightly decorated living room, a pale-purple sunset, a blue shiny car: any kind of cheerful object or scene can help boost mood and catch people’s attention. When deciding on an image, think to yourself: How does this picture make me feel, and how might it make others feel?

Even if you’re the most prolific writer in the world, you are losing out if you brush aside the need for fast-loading, sharp, professional photos (which you’ll be able to find in abundance in our image library).

Using images thoughtfully can draw attention and improve your SEO, while also giving your readers a break from online research, refreshing them with vivid inspiration and relaxation.

Get started on your visual journey with these data-driven pointers on incorporating images and earn the audience you yearn to have.