In today's digital marketing world, many websites I have worked on still use guest blog posting services as a primary link-building strategy. But the question remains the same: Does guest blogging still work for SEO?
And furthermore, will it help boost your rankings? Today on Myke Educate, let’s dive deep into this topic and explore whether this method some SEO expects are working with, holds any value in today’s SEO environment, what Google officially says, and why.
Google's Stance on Guest Blogging.
Recently, Google stated(2024) that any links from guest posts should be marked as "no-follow." This means if you’re building guest blogging solely to build links, it goes against Google's webmaster guidelines. As a result, those links won’t bring any "link juice" or SEO value to your blog or website.
So, from a technical standpoint, guest blogging does not work for SEO anymore, at least not in the traditional sense. Google's algorithms have become highly refined and can easily identify guest blog links, depreciating or completely ignoring them. If you're using guest blogging for the sole purpose of boosting your SEO, those links are likely to be inefficient.
Why Doesn't Google Like Guest Blogging?
The reason Google has a negative view of guest blogging is simple: it’s been overused and abused. For years, many websites have produced low-quality guest blogs that serve no other purpose than link building. This creates a spammy experience for users, and that's something Google wants to avoid.
Moreover, networks of sites have popped up, offering best guest posting services purely for SEO benefits. These networks stir out quality guest posts that aren't really quality at all. They're produced quickly, lacking substance and only existing to boost SEO rankings. As a result, guest blogs from these networks offer little to no value for users or search engines like Google and Bing.
Guest Blogging: An Inefficient Link-Building Method
Aside from being flagged by Google, guest blogging presents many other challenges as a link-building method. For one, it takes a significant amount of time and effort to write the content. Once you've written your post, you have to find a suitable website, pitch your idea, and wait for approval. Sometimes, the website will ask for payment to feature your post, making the process more challenging and less scalable.
Even when you do get your guest post accepted, webmasters may edit or remove the links you had planned to include. This means your content might not include the links you need to your sales pages or important landing pages, defeating the original purpose. Given all these challenges, other methods, like the Skyscraper technique or HARO link building, offer much more scalable and effective alternatives.
The Value of Guest Blogging Beyond SEO
While guest blogging isn’t ideal for SEO link building, it still holds value in certain scenarios. If your goal is to build authority and establish yourself as an expert, guest blogging is an excellent way to do so. Getting featured on authoritative sites through blog posting services can enhance your personal brand and show readers that you're respected in your industry.
For instance, being published on major platforms like Forbes or Entrepreneur can introduce your expertise to a brand-new audience. Not only can this drive referral traffic, but it also showcases your control and credibility in your niche. People may Google your name and discover these guest posts, further solidifying your reputation.
Additionally, guest blogging can still help you increase brand awareness. While the links may be no-follow, getting mentioned across the web can help build credibility. If enough people see your content on various reputable sites, there's always the chance that someone will link back to your site naturally, providing a valuable do-follow link.
Conclusion: Should You Still Use Guest Blogging?
In summary, guest blogging doesn’t work for SEO in the traditional sense, especially when done solely for link building. Google's algorithms can easily detect and devalue these efforts, making it a poor strategy for immediate SEO boosts. However, if your goal is to promote your brand, build authority, and expand your reach, guest blogging and SEO can still work together to provide long-term benefits.
Rather than focusing on direct link-building results, consider guest blogging as a tool for brand exposure and gaining authority in your field. Over time, this can lead to organic backlinks and improved search rankings through quality guest posts.
If you’re looking for guest blog posting services or the best guest posting services to help build your brand, remember to choose those that focus on high-quality content and long-term strategy over short-term SEO gains.
Guest blogging SEO isn’t dead, but it's more about relationship building and brand growth than simply boosting rankings with quick link-building tricks.
If you have any questions about guest blogging and SEO, feel free to leave a comment below. And don’t forget to visit https://www.youtube.com/@MykeEducate, and subscribe for more SEO tips!