How to Get Backlinks From Guest Posting (The Right Way)
Earn links by writing genuinely useful articles for relevant sites โ without falling into link schemes.
Guest posting means writing an article for another website, usually with a short author bio linking to your own site. Done well, it builds your reputation, reaches a new audience and earns relevant links. Done badly โ mass-produced articles placed mainly for links โ it can be treated as a link scheme.
What Google says
Google's spam policies warn against large-scale guest posting campaigns with keyword-rich anchor links. Links in guest posts primarily for SEO should be marked rel="nofollow" or rel="sponsored". The real value of guest posting is the audience and authority, so focus there.
Step 1: Find the right sites
- Sites your customers actually read, in your niche or a closely related one.
- Real editorial standards: named authors, good comments, regular readers.
- Not sites that publish anything on any topic for a fee.
Search for phrases like "your topic write for us" or "guest article", and check where competitors' authors have written. The backlink checker shows sites already linking to similar businesses.
Step 2: Pitch a specific, useful topic
- Read their recent articles and avoid topics they already covered.
- Propose two or three specific titles based on your real experience.
- Explain briefly why you can write it well.
Use the structure in the outreach email template.
Step 3: Write your best work
Write as if it were for your own site โ or better. Use original examples, data and practical steps. Link to other good sources, not just your own. Editors invite strong writers back.
Step 4: Link naturally
- A short bio with your name, role and a link to your site.
- One contextual link to a genuinely relevant resource on your site, if the editor allows it.
- Plain or branded anchor text, not exact-match keywords.
Step 5: Promote and follow up
Share the published article, reply to comments and thank the editor. Check later that the link is live and see whether it is followed โ read how to check if a backlink is dofollow.
Signs of a bad guest post opportunity
- "Price list" for posts with dofollow links.
- The site covers every topic from crypto to cooking.
- No real traffic or engaged readers.
- Articles stuffed with links to unrelated businesses.
A worked example
An Australian accounting firm wrote one detailed article a month for small-business publications โ on cash-flow planning, payroll mistakes and tax deadlines. Each included a short bio link. Over a year, the articles brought enquiries directly, led to speaking invitations and earned links from other sites citing them. The firm's own guides began ranking much higher.
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Frequently asked questions
Is guest posting still worth it?
Yes, for audience and reputation on relevant sites. It is not worth it as a mass link tactic.
Should guest post links be nofollow?
Google advises qualifying links in guest posts made mainly for SEO. Editorially chosen links are a matter for the publisher.
How many guest posts should I write?
A few excellent articles on respected sites beat many on low-quality ones.
Can I pay for guest posts?
Paid placements must be marked sponsored, or they risk breaking Google's policies.