Guest blogging often gets a bad rap. Despite the challenges, it remains one of the top link-building methods, according to uSERP’s State of Backlinks for SEO report. So, why does guest blogging continue to be popular? Because when done right, it works. Here’s how to make guest blogging a successful part of your strategy in 2024.
What is Guest Blogging?
Guest blogging involves writing unique articles for external websites. Typically, you get a link to your site in the author byline or within the content itself. For example, a guest post I did for Ahrefs in 2021 included a link to Siege Media. This strategy can boost your SEO by building relevant backlinks.
Find Guest Posting Targets
To start, focus on finding relevant sites that accept guest posts. Begin with a Google search using your industry plus terms like “write for us” or “contribute.” For instance, if you own a boat rental site, you might search for “Fishing + write for us.”
Sites That Want Guest Contributors
Be cautious with sites that openly advertise guest post opportunities. While these might seem convenient, the links from such sites often hold less value due to their openness to any contributor. Moreover, many of these sites exist primarily to make money from guest posts, posing a risk to your SEO efforts.
Sites With Blogs in Your Industry
A safer approach is targeting sites with relevant blogs that don’t overtly solicit guest posts. Use Google to find these by searching for industry-related blogs or resources. Tools like BuzzStream can help streamline this process by pulling in multiple search results simultaneously, saving you time and effort.
Evaluate for Quality
Once you’ve identified potential sites, evaluate them for quality. Here’s a checklist to guide you.Here’s a checklist to guide your guest blogging efforts:
Do They Advertise the Price for a Post?
Avoid sites that advertise guest post prices. This practice is against Google’s guidelines and can lead to penalties. Sites that accept money for guest blogging posts without disclosing it are also risky
Traffic Above 5,000 Organic Searches Per Month
Aim for sites with at least 5,000 monthly organic searches. Use tools like Ahrefs’ Site Explorer to check a site’s traffic. Higher traffic often indicates a more valuable backlink.
Domain Authority or Domain Rating Above 50
Look for sites with a Domain Authority (DA) or Domain Rating (DR) above 50. These metrics, from tools like Moz and Ahrefs, help gauge a site’s ability to rank in search results.
Content is Relevant to Your Site
Ensure the site’s content is relevant to your industry. For example, a boat rental site should seek links from fishing or travel blogs. Check the site’s top-ranking keywords to assess their topical authority, crucial for guest blogging success.
Site Provides Helpful Content
Evaluate the quality of the content. Google’s Helpful Content Update emphasizes the importance of genuinely helpful content. Look for well-sourced articles with clear expertise and original data.
Do They Have NoFollow Links?
Purchased links should be tagged with rel=nofollow or sponsored. While nofollow links don’t directly boost SEO, they can drive traffic and increase brand awareness. However, focus on getting dofollow links for direct SEO benefits.
Find Relevant Topics
To succeed, propose topics that provide value to the target site. Use a keyword-driven approach to identify topics they should rank for but currently don’t. Tools like Ahrefs can help find these opportunities by analyzing the site’s organic keywords and identifying gaps.
Conclusion
Guest blogging can still be a powerful tool in your SEO arsenal if approached correctly. Think of yourself as a content creator, focusing on providing value rather than merely building links. By targeting high-quality, relevant sites and offering genuinely helpful content, you can turn guest blogging into a successful strategy for 2024 and beyond.
