Paid Guest Posts & Link Exchanges

I am a rookie webmaster and currently in the process of reworking my site (I'm basically migrating from a ROR framework). In the meantime I have been approached by different groups, mostly content marketing companies, for paid guest posts on the blog section of my site. I'm considering pursuing these when my site is all setup and optimized to generate a little revenue.

The same companies have advised me they will do link exchanges. This interests me more for the value of the backlinks.

What criteria should I use in evaluating whether or not the domain is reputable enough to exchange a link with and what should I take into consideration when doing it? Can too much link exchanging here be detrimental? Can I demand multiple links in exchange for one of mine?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Don't buy them

See this article
How a single guest post may have gotten an entire site penalized by Google.
https://searchengineland.com/guest-p...penalty-187707

One of what I think is the better quotes in the article

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SEOs & Publishers: Forget how you can build links, which is just too dangerous now. Think how you can build audience — and if links come as part of that, it’s side-benefit

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Rick
Universal4

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Originally Posted by universal4

Don't buy them

See this article
How a single guest post may have gotten an entire site penalized by Google.
https://searchengineland.com/guest-p...penalty-187707

One of what I think is the better quotes in the article



Rick
Universal4

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Searchengineland and MOZ are basically Google shills, piping the **** the Google wants people to hear.

If you don't buy links in the gambling niche, I'd forget about any kind of decent rankings.

I am agree with Micky's points. If you are doing back linking of your site then take link on related sites or through guest post, share related information, don't make it promotional. Also if site is not related take nofollow link that Google would not consider a backlink but by this tactic you can promote your business putting Brand Name in the article.

There is nothing wrong with guest posting.
Ranked dozens of sites successfully by buying sponsored posts and I have published them myself as well on some of my sites.

I would advise against link exchanges though, cross-linking sites may get you in trouble.

when you evaluating sites for buying sponsored posts look at these metrics:

- DA / PA (Domain and Page Authority, the bigger the better)
- relevancy is it a site within your niche
- check for actual traffic - SEMRUSH is your friend - you can also see if the site has organic traffic and what keywords are bringing the hits
- look at existing content on the site - does it look spammy, is this a site you wouldn't mind browsing actually?

If these points check out then I normally consider a guest post purchase if the price is right. Savvy tip: always ask for bulk pricing:)

hope this helps

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Originally Posted by petimi

There is nothing wrong with guest posting.
Ranked dozens of sites successfully by buying sponsored posts and I have published them myself as well on some of my sites.

I would advise against link exchanges though, cross-linking sites may get you in trouble.

when you evaluating sites for buying sponsored posts look at these metrics:

- DA / PA (Domain and Page Authority, the bigger the better)
- relevancy is it a site within your niche
- check for actual traffic - SEMRUSH is your friend - you can also see if the site has organic traffic and what keywords are bringing the hits
- look at existing content on the site - does it look spammy, is this a site you wouldn't mind browsing actually?

If these points check out then I normally consider a guest post purchase if the price is right. Savvy tip: always ask for bulk pricing:)

hope this helps

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Relevancy and site with real traffic and ranked keywords are the main factors i think. Otherwise you are taking a risk of guest posting on a site that might get you in trouble in the future.

I would also look at TF/CF

If someone approaches us for a guest post, we'll engage a conversation.

We always look to create copy ourselves and vet links for quality though. I'd recommend that you create your own content and not accept pre-written articles.

Thanks to everyone for your insightful advice. You've each given me lots to consider. Much appreciated.

Build an audience, give your website love and ad links slowly while generating traffic to the site with whatever means possible.

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I would also look at TF/CF

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Sorry for the late reply Mr Live Casinos, but what is TF/CF?

NP

Rick is right. Guest posting (let alone buying links) is discouraged by Google.

On the other hand, casinos are a special niche, where almost none will link to your site naturally.
(Btw, I won't mention names, but I have serious doubts about anyone who said he created a new casino portal site full of content and people from left and right started linking to this site)

May I ask what methods you people use to create links?
Do you contact relevant sites yourself or have a company do it for you?
What is a ballpark figure for cost?

Just make sure you are not following heavy SEO stuff into your article, longer the article is better. Follow simple steps with your post such as 'keyword and title having relavent' exact match not necessary, use HTML tags. Focuses on readability not direct promotion. avoid the site who has a spamming potentiality.