Guest Blogging: What It Is, Why It Still Works, and How to Do It Right
If you’ve been around digital marketing for a while, you’ve probably heard about guest blogging. Some people swear by it, others say it’s outdated, and a lot of SEO “experts” just flat-out do it wrong.
Here’s the truth: guest blogging is still one of the best ways to build backlinks, grow your audience, and boost your SEO—when you do it right. But like anything else in digital marketing, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it.
At Bama SEO, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful guest blogging can be—when it’s actually done with a strategy. So, let’s break it all down: what guest blogging is, why it’s important, and how to use it to grow your business without wasting time on bad opportunities.
What Is Guest Blogging?
Guest blogging (or guest posting) is when you write an article for someone else’s website instead of your own.
✔ You get exposure to a new audience.
✔ You get a backlink to your site (which helps SEO).
✔ You build authority in your industry.
In other words, you’re borrowing someone else’s platform to expand your reach.
And if you do it right? You’re not just getting traffic—you’re getting high-quality backlinks, brand recognition, and potential customers.
But before we get into all that, let’s clear up a common misconception:
Is Guest Blogging Still Relevant for SEO in 2024?
Short answer? Yes. Absolutely.
Longer answer? It depends on how you do it.
Guest blogging used to be abused by shady SEO agencies that pumped out low-quality, spammy articles just to build links. Google caught on, and now bad guest blogging won’t help your rankings—if anything, it can hurt them.
But real, strategic guest blogging (writing high-quality content for legitimate websites) is still one of the best ways to:
✔ Build high-quality backlinks (which help you rank higher in search results)
✔ Get referral traffic (people actually clicking through to your site)
✔ Establish yourself as an expert in your industry (so people trust your brand)
So, yes—guest blogging works. But only if you’re writing for the right sites and providing real value.
Why Is Guest Blogging Important?
Now that we’ve covered what guest blogging is, let’s talk about why it still matters in digital marketing.
1. Guest Blogging Helps with SEO (If Done Right)
At the end of the day, SEO is all about backlinks. The more high-quality websites linking to your site, the more Google trusts you.
✔ Guest posts let you build links naturally – Instead of begging for backlinks, you’re earning them by providing valuable content.
✔ Google still values editorial links – When a reputable website links to your site in a guest post, it’s a strong ranking signal.
✔ More backlinks = better rankings – Simple as that.
But—and this is important—not all backlinks are created equal.
✘ A backlink from a spammy blog that accepts anyone is worthless (or worse, can hurt your rankings).
✔ A backlink from a respected industry website is pure gold.
So, the key is finding legit guest blogging opportunities—not just blasting out random articles to whoever will take them.
2. You Get More Targeted Traffic
Not all traffic is created equal. You don’t just want more visitors—you want the right visitors.
Guest blogging puts your content in front of people who are already interested in your niche. If you write a guest post on a well-established website in your industry, you’re tapping into their audience—people who are more likely to click through, check out your site, and become customers.
✔ Writing about fitness? Guest post on a popular health blog.
✔ Running an SEO agency? Post on a marketing or business website.
✔ Selling handmade jewelry? Contribute to an e-commerce or fashion blog.
The more relevant the site, the more valuable the traffic.
3. It Builds Your Brand & Authority
Ever noticed how the same names keep popping up in certain industries? That’s not by accident—it’s because they’re putting themselves out there through guest blogging, interviews, and collaborations.
✔ Writing for well-known websites gives you instant credibility.
✔ People start recognizing your name and brand.
✔ Over time, you become the go-to expert in your field.
Think about it: if you keep seeing a business featured on different industry sites, you start assuming they know what they’re doing. That’s exactly what guest blogging does—it puts your brand in front of the right people, over and over again.
4. Guest Blogging Helps with Networking & Partnerships
One underrated benefit of guest blogging? It connects you with other business owners, influencers, and industry leaders.
✔ The more you guest post, the more connections you make.
✔ Some of those connections can turn into collaborations, partnerships, or even clients.
✔ You start getting invited to podcasts, interviews, and industry events.
A single well-placed guest post can lead to opportunities you never even thought about.
How to Find the Right Guest Blogging Opportunities
Like I said earlier, not all guest blogging is created equal. If you’re writing for low-quality, irrelevant sites, you’re wasting your time.
Here’s how to find guest blogging opportunities that actually move the needle:
1. Look for Websites in Your Industry
The best guest post opportunities come from websites that are already attracting your target audience.
✔ If you’re a tech company → Contribute to tech blogs.
✔ If you’re in real estate → Post on home improvement or investing sites.
✔ If you’re a local business → Get featured in local news sites or community blogs.
One simple way to find guest post opportunities? Google search:
“[your industry] guest post”
“write for us [your industry]”
“submit a guest post [your topic]”
If a site actively accepts guest posts, it’ll usually have a “Write for Us” or “Guest Post Guidelines” page.
2. Check the Site’s Domain Authority (DA)
Not all backlinks are equal. A link from a high-authority site (DA 50+) is way more valuable than one from a tiny blog.
Use free tools like Moz’s Domain Authority checker or Ahrefs to check a site’s authority before you submit a guest post.
3. Avoid Spammy, Low-Quality Blogs
If a site accepts every single guest post, has a ton of low-effort content, and doesn’t actually have an audience, it’s not worth your time.
✔ Look for sites that are actively updated and have real engagement.
✘ Avoid sites that look like they exist just for SEO spam.
How to Write a Guest Post That Actually Gets Published
Once you find the right site, you need to write something worth publishing.
✔ Follow their submission guidelines – If they ask for 1,500 words, don’t send them 500.
✔ Make it valuable – Don’t just write an ad for your business. Teach something. Share real insights.
✔ Include a strong author bio – This is where you link back to your site. Make it count.
Final Thoughts
Guest blogging isn’t dead. It’s just misused. When done right, it’s one of the most powerful ways to build backlinks, grow your brand, and drive real traffic to your site.
If you want guest blogging that actually works, Bama SEO can help. We handle the research, outreach, and content—so you get real results without the hassle.
👉 Ready to boost your SEO with guest blogging? Contact Bama SEO today.
