Undoubtedly, guest blogging is a favored strategy for those looking to acquire links from top quality niche sites. Prominent blog owners are usually inundated with emails asking whether they accept guest articles. Since guest blogging or guest posting is a popular means for self and blog promotion, Google is keeping a close eye on how blog owners and authors If operate with their posts. While guest posting is beneficial and powerful as the site owner receives fresh content while the guest blogger receives a link, it comes with its own set of pitfalls.
If you aren't too familiar with guest posting and the key principles behind how to operate, it’s easy to make mistakes. In fact, you could easily become a spammer if your guest articles are poorly constructed.
So, when does guest posting become spam?
Here are four ways which can turn your guest posting efforts into spam which not only harms your online reputation, but also your business.
#1. Crank Out Guest Posts (One After Another)
The first and foremost point of guest posting or guest blogging is that it isn't another form of article marketing. When you are either invited or accepted to do a guest blog post, you are expected to bring something of value to the table.
No blog owner wants to see recycled, poorly constructed content which adds zero value to their audience being sent for review. There are a number of ‘would be bloggers' who mass produce low quality articles and class them as guest posts with the view of pumping them out to as many blog owners as they can in the hope someone will accept.
This is when guest blogging starts to become spam. If you want to make the most of your opportunity (and so you should), you should take the time to study the site owner's blog, the type of audience they receive by reading through their comments and of course, the niche they are focused in.
#2. Manipulate Anchor Text
The true weight of anchor text on SEO results has diminished since our favorite animal updates late last year. Google reduced the relevance of anchor text because it was being heavily manipulated by a number of online marketers. Yes, on the back of Google's Panda and Penguin updates, you need to maintain a variety of anchor text links. If you draw your attention entirely on money keywords and manipulate the anchor text through guest posting, you are a perpetrator of spam activity which is damaging to your site's health. I don't need to remind you about this, the results will show in due course (and they won't be good).
When guest blogging , choose and use anchor text in a way that looks natural to Google and the other search engines.
#3. Create a Fake Guest Posting Author Account
This one drives me crazy, even when operating my personal blog – I receive countless guest posting requests from individuals who don't have established author accounts set up. In fact, some lazy guest bloggers set up fake Google+ accounts for the primary hope of being accepted as a guest blogger.
Guest posting is not child's play – it's for real authors who are looking to establish a personal brand for themselves. If you want to maximize the benefits of guest posting, why not establish yourself as a real author and try to set up your personal social media profiles in the process. 8/10 times I personally turn down guest posting requests if the author doesn't have an active Google+ account – social proof is too important in today's world.
Are you familiar with the concept of AuthorRank?
#4. Buy Social Shares
Last but certainly not least, another infamous method of turning guest posting into spam can result off the back of purchasing hundreds of social shares for your guest articles. If your guest post truly adds value, there is no need to purchase fake social shares – the blog's audience will share the article openly! Instead of consuming your energy on guest posting strategies to manipulate the fame of your poorly constructed guest post, why not divert your attention to writing a top quality guest post which will naturally be a success with this new audience you otherwise wouldn't have reached.
Is Guest Posting Included in Your Overall Online Marketing Plan?
Use your guest articles to provide real value to readers. In this way, you’ll showcase your knowledge in a particular niche and build your brand in the process. This can lead to further opportunities to guest post or potentially a situation where a reader employs your services – the opportunities are simply endless.
Are you spamming the web too, in the name of guest posting? Feel free to share what you feedback via the comments section below.