How to Guest Blog without Looking Like Spam

In Matt Cutts’ most recent Webmaster Help video, he talked about one of the most widely-used content marketing and PR strategies today: guest blogging. Google included guest blogging in their list of link schemes when they updated their link scheme definitions not too long ago, and since then many writers have been treading carefully. Today I want to talk about the different points that Cutts talked about in his video and create this quick reference for guest blogging without looking like spam.

Matt Cutts talks about guest blogging in his latest Google Webmaster Help video.

What makes guest blogs look like spam?

Google has emphasized their drive for quality content repeatedly over the past several years. If you’ve followed those to this day, you’ll know the characteristics that make guest blogs look like spam:

• Using keywords and creating blog posts that are unrelated to the general topic of the blog where it will be published

• Keyword stuffing. High keyword density falls under the gray area according to Matt Cutts – this is where context comes in. They will analyze whether or not it is necessary to mention the keywords as often as you do in your guest blog.

• Thin, low-quality content

• Posting guest blogs on multiple locations within a short span of time, and using a spun version of the guest blog post that was first published

Guest Blogging the Right Way

The good news for our partners is that our approach to guest blogging follows Matt Cutts’ recommended practices for guest blogging. Here’s what we do and why you need to be doing it when creating your own guest posts:

• Write unique content for each guest blog post. Don’t just spin one blog and submit it to different websites for posting – that tells Google you’re running a link scheme. Writing unique content for each website hits two birds with one stone: it shows authenticity, and it establishes the depth of your knowledge about your industry.

• Match topics and blogs carefully. Make sure your guest blog matches the general topics discussed in your host publisher’s site. Do not try to make distant connections that don’t make sense. Watch your keyword density as well – avoid keyword stuffing.

• Study the voice and the audience of the website you are posting on. You need to be consistent with the voice your host publisher uses on their blog. This tells Google that you are committed to quality, and lets the audience know you understand them and you are capable of giving them the information they need.

• Limit your guest blogging activity. Do not post 100 different guest blogs within days of each other – that’s a link scheme. Space the blogs apart, and make sure to write when it really counts.

Talk to your account manager today to learn more about our guest blogging approach. If you’re not yet our partner, make sure to sign up for free to become our partner and get this feature in our complete SEO suites.

You can watch the new Google Webmaster Help video below: