Guest blog/content link ops

[shaunm]

Hi,

How do you usually find guest blog/content opportunities for link building?

Is there an automated way for doing this? I remember a tool which will generate blogs list based on the keyword entry for free. I forgot the name. Something like that?

I am currently entering the target term in Google and select the search option as 'blogs' and get the list of blogs and try which can offer a guest blog posts. It's really taking a lot of time.

Any suggestion guys? My website is network and technology based.

Thanks for all your help!

[TheOptimizationIdiot]

How do you usually find guest blog/content opportunities for link building?

I usually find them to be spammy, a waste of time everyone's time, annoying, not counted except as a negative and/or nofollowed.

Really, I wouldn't waste my time with them personally.

[rish3]

They may be spammy and annoying, but Google currently values them pretty highly. Can I prove that? No...too many variables, but I can find you plenty of sites ranking #1 for competitive terms that have a LOT of guest post backlinks.

I suppose it's possible they are ranking despite the guest posts, but in many cases, the guest posts appear to be strongest backlinks they have (in terms of PA/DA/PR/etc).

[netmeg]

Well if you automate it I can pretty much guarantee it will be spammy and useless. Moreover, the quality blogs recognize requests like that (we make fun of them on twitter)

When I guest post (or accept a guest post) it's *carefully* thought out as to relevance and quality. Whatever links are included are just as carefully thought out as to placement and anchor text. If it's not a solid win-win for both parties PLUS the users on the hosting site, it doesn't happen. Sure that's a lot slower, but I also never have link problems. Never.

[TheOptimizationIdiot]

[youtube.com...]

Disclaimer: I might be a bit biased, because I generally find blogs themselves to be annoying.

[shaunm]

Thank you all for sharing your view on if guest blog is worth or not. But, I wish you could answer to my actual question guys. How do you usually find content link opportunities? I have been googling it for last two days, and I wasn't satisfied. I know that you have plenty of real hand knowledge in content link acquisition. Could you please share with me?

Thanks again!

[Robert Charlton]

I think netmeg nails it. You may be in too much of a hurry.

Start looking at blogs in your niche, follow those that you enjoy, make comments where you can add something to the discussion, and do guest blogs if you are invited... or submit an idea if you think you have something that might work particularly well for a particular blog you like.

This assumes that you're using other channels... your own blog, forums, Google+, etc, to share your expertise and become known, so that you're not a stranger when you submit.

If you overdo guest blogging, copy yourself too much, or aren't selective about where you appear, chances are they will be spammy. Blogs that accept you without knowing who you are may not be all that helpful.

[netmeg]

If I'm serious about a niche or topic, I usually already have done the research to know where the influential blogs/sites are in that space. But if you haven't, you can start by looking at who else is ranking for the keywords and concepts that you are, or that you want to rank for.

Guest blogging, properly done, is not the same as article marketing or footer links, as mentioned in that video. Nothing like it.

[shaunm]

Thank you Robert and Netmeg!

I was looking out for ways than the traditional Google searches for my niche. And it looks like it could be the only way to get blogs as well.

Best,

[TheOptimizationIdiot]

Guest blogging, properly done, is not the same as article marketing or footer links, as mentioned in that video. Nothing like it.

I get that, but the "properly done" part is definitely a key to it not being like the others. I guess when I generally find it it's not "properly done" cause it usually looks, feels and links quite a bit like the others to me anyway.

[MikeNoLastName]

"Guest blogging, properly done, is not the same as article marketing or footer links, as mentioned in that video."

For NOW. Of course, personally, I'm not expecting GB to be a positive thing for very long since so many are starting to do it and taking it to extremes. And there is always another Penquin update around the corner when G decides enough is enough. The other Matt YT vid linked from the one above alludes STRONGLY to the QUALITY of the guest blog ("200, 300, 400 words barely enough") and possibly how "trustworthy" the author. Best in my opinion to avoid altogether.