In today’s content-heavy world, standing out is tough. But one format continues to get attention, shares, and backlinks: infographics.
However, not all infographics go viral. Many get ignored.
So what’s the secret?
In this article, we’ll explore how to design infographics that not only look great but also get shared, published, and talked about.
Let’s dive into the science and strategy behind viral infographic design.
🚀 Why Infographics Go Viral
Infographics are visual + informative + easy to share. That combination makes them highly engaging. But for an infographic to truly go viral, it must:
Tell a compelling story
Be visually stunning
Contain valuable or surprising information
Be easy to read and quick to share
Solve a specific problem or deliver insight
Going viral isn’t just luck—it’s a repeatable formula when executed right.
🧠 1. Choose a Share-Worthy Topic
Start with a topic that people care about and talk about. Ask:
Is this topic trending?
Does it solve a real problem?
Can it spark discussion or emotion?
Example viral topics:
“How Social Media Affects Mental Health”
“The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion”
“15 Productivity Hacks Used by Top CEOs”
Avoid overly technical or generic themes. Focus on relatable or surprising topics.
✏️ 2. Craft a Strong, Clear Headline
Your headline is your hook.
Make it:
Specific
Benefit-driven
Emotional or intriguing
✅ Good: “10 Simple Habits That Will Make You More Productive”
❌ Bad: “A Guide to Productivity”
Use numbers, power words, or “how-to” phrases.
🎨 3. Use Eye-Catching Colors and Fonts
Design matters. Use:
A bold color palette that fits your brand
2–3 maximum font families for readability
Icons and illustrations instead of blocks of text
Lots of white space
The goal is to guide the eye naturally from top to bottom.
Tip: Use Canva, Figma, or Adobe Illustrator with pre-made infographic templates.
📐 4. Make It Skimmable
People scroll fast.
Use:
Short headlines
Bullet points
Clear section breaks
Bold data points
Avoid cramming too much information. Keep it visual-heavy, text-light.
📊 5. Include Surprising or Powerful Data
Add:
Shocking stats
Industry benchmarks
Comparisons
Visual graphs or charts
Example:
“People spend an average of 2 hours 31 minutes on social media per day.”
Use sources from reliable publications and always credit your data.
📱 6. Optimize for Mobile and Vertical Layout
Viral infographics often get shared on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Blogs
Design vertically (e.g., 800px × 2000px or longer) and make sure the text is readable on smaller screens.
Vertical content gets better engagement on mobile and Pinterest in particular.
📤 7. Add Clear Branding and a CTA
Always include:
Your website or brand logo
A “call to action” at the bottom:
“Share this if you agree!”
“Learn more at yourwebsite.com”
You want people to share it and remember who made it.
📢 8. Promote It Aggressively
Even the best infographic won’t go viral unless it’s promoted. After publishing:
Share it on all your social platforms
Submit it to infographic directories
Email it to bloggers and media outlets
Embed it in a blog with supporting content
Use Pinterest and Reddit for discovery traffic
Reach out for backlinks (SEO boost!)
A great design + smart promotion = viral potential.
🛠️ 9. Use Tools That Help Infographic Creation
Here are tools that simplify the process:
Canva: Free templates and drag-and-drop builder
Piktochart: Designed for data-heavy visuals
Venngage: Great for infographics + reports
Figma: Pro design tool with component control
These tools make designing for virality much easier—even for non-designers.
🧪 10. A/B Test Different Versions
Sometimes a small change (color, headline, intro section) can make a big difference in engagement.
If you're running ads or sharing in email campaigns, test:
Two versions of the same infographic
Different headlines or CTAs
Adjusted layout or image style
Let your audience’s response guide your optimization.
📌 Final Thoughts
A viral infographic is not just a “pretty image.” It’s a strategic blend of design, data, storytelling, and promotion.
To make your infographics go viral:
✅ Choose bold, relevant topics
✅ Use stunning and readable visuals
✅ Deliver real value in a skimmable format
✅ Promote it everywhere and optimize continuously
Do this, and your next infographic could be shared by thousands—and become a powerful traffic and brand awareness generator.