Every Google pronouncement by Matt Cutts is carefully followed, scrutinized and argued by the SEO community. That’s not a bad thing as Cutts’ heads Google’s web spam team. And, with that position, what he says can greatly impact your website no matter where in the world it is located. Yes, Cutts has immense power, but why complain? Do as he says and you’ll be okay.
In early 2015, Cutts made an announcement that effectively slammed the door on guest blogging, especially for SEO purposes. Cutts explained that such practices as “spammy” what could harm your website. Moreover, he said that those who engage in such practices are probably hanging out in “bad company.” Certainly, that isn’t a place you want to be.
So, did Cutts slam the door on guest blogging completely? No, not really. If you parse his words and look at the way SEO experts are responding, then you will concur that he left the door open a crack. Read on and we’ll look at how you can navigate the current rules regarding guest blogging.
1. Get a Perspective
What Cutts’ indicated was that most guest blogging is done for SEO purposes. Well, what other reason is there? Frankly, there are others, including your desire simply to get your name out there or to offer advice. In doing so you may benefit from a backlink to your site, but that should never be the chief motivator for guest blogging. Write your articles with only your readers in mind — don’t worry about any SEO effort, real or imagined advises the company that brings to you local seo tools to use in 2015.
2. Write for Quality Sites
One thing that Google has noticed is that people will write material for sub-par sites and expect those websites and blogs to pass on link juice. There are some problems with that assumption. First, PageRank is dead or at least is no longer being updated. You can’t benefit from something that died. Second, a bad neighborhood is just that — a place you don’t want to have your name associated with. Third, there is a better way — and we’ll look at one coming up.
3. Pick Your Opportunities Wisely
Now that you know that guest blogging is do-able, choose your opportunities with care. Clearly, you could write an article and have it published to most any site, but why would you? Consider that your name is golden and associating it with any name that is less than stellar will impugn your own name or your character. Aim for publishing to trusted sites where your article will be given its due respect. Anything less and you’ll deserve the “spammy” appellation rendered by Cutts and his minions.
4. Write High Quality
Your guest articles should be well-researched, high quality, interesting and informative. Specifically, endeavor to spend much time crafting this piece as it is a work of art that should be carefully assembled, scrutinized, dissected, eviscerated, rehabilitated and studiously upheld before it is submitted for critical assessment. You can use a site such as Paper Rater to ensure that it passes muster. Reckon that at least three to four rounds of edits is a prerequisite prior to submission.
Make a Plan
Now that you understand that guest blogging is permissible, albeit under certain, narrow circumstances you can proceed with caution. Specifically, endeavor to compose a piece that is substantial, provocative and web worthy and you’ll come away with due honor. You may not get the link to your site that you desire, but you will receive the recognition for something well written and warmly received. That alone may be all the reward you need for agglomerating a vestal piece that won’t soon be forgotten.
