Guest Posting
How to vet a guest post site before you pay for a link
Domain rating alone is a vanity metric. Here is the 7-point checklist we use to separate real publications from link farms.
By the RankingSwitch team · · 7 min read
Most guest posting mistakes happen before a single word is written. Brands pick sites based on a single metric, usually domain rating, and end up with links on websites that have no readers, no rankings and no future.
1. Check the organic traffic trend, not just the number
A site with 5,000 monthly visitors that is growing is far more valuable than one with 50,000 that has been in decline for a year. Look at a 12 to 24 month traffic graph and avoid sharp drops, which often signal a penalty.
2. Review the outbound link pattern
If every article links out to casinos, CBD and payday loans, the site sells links indiscriminately. Search engines notice this pattern, and so should you.
3. Confirm topical relevance
A relevant DR 40 site beats an irrelevant DR 80 site. Relevance is what makes a link look natural and pass meaningful topical authority.
4. Read the content
Would a real person read and share it? If the articles are thin, spun or obviously written only to host links, move on.
The bottom line
Vetting takes time, which is exactly why most vendors skip it. At RankingSwitch, every site passes a manual review before your brand appears on it.