Article submission has long been a pillar of effective SEO strategies. By creating valuable content and publishing it on authoritative third-party sites, you can build high-quality backlinks, increase brand visibility, drive referral traffic, and improve your search engine rankings.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into what article submission is, how it has evolved over time, and how you can leverage it to supercharge your SEO results.
What is Article Submission?
Article submission involves writing original articles and submitting them to various online platforms such as article directories, websites, and blogs. The goal is to have your content published on these sites, with a link back to your own website.
These backlinks serve as "votes of confidence" from the publishing site, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy. According to a study by Backlinko, the number of referring domains is the second most important Google ranking factor.
Source: Backlinko
In addition to building backlinks, article submission can also:
- Drive referral traffic from readers on the third-party sites
- Increase brand exposure and credibility by positioning you alongside other industry experts
- Establish thought leadership by showcasing your knowledge on a particular topic
- Provide content for social media promotion and amplification
When done effectively, article submission can have a significant impact on your SEO performance. A case study by Robbierichards.com found that a single submitted article generated over 2,000 social shares and contributed to increases in keyword rankings, organic traffic, and Domain Authority.
The Evolution of Article Submission
While the basic concept of article submission has remained constant, the specific tactics and best practices have evolved considerably over the years in response to changes in search engine algorithms and user behavior.
In the early days of SEO, article submission often involved low-quality, keyword-stuffed content blasted out to any and every site that would accept it. This spammy approach was largely killed off by Google‘s Panda update in 2011, which cracked down on thin, duplicate, and low-quality content.
Since then, the focus has shifted to creating high-quality, valuable content and securing placements on reputable, relevant sites. A 2020 study by Content Marketing Institute found that 78% of content marketers now prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to external publishing.
Source: Content Marketing Institute
Google‘s subsequent Penguin updates have also put more emphasis on the quality and relevance of backlinks, rather than just the quantity. This means that article submission efforts need to be much more targeted and strategic than in the past.
Other key developments in the evolution of article submission include:
- The rise of guest blogging as a more relationship-based approach to securing article placements
- The increasing importance of building author authority and expertise through consistent, high-quality content contributions
- The use of data-driven tactics like original research and infographics to create more linkable content
- The integration of social media promotion and influencer outreach to amplify the reach and impact of submitted articles
As search engines continue to get smarter and user expectations continue to rise, the bar for effective article submission will only get higher. But for those who can adapt and execute at a high level, the SEO rewards are still significant.
How to Execute Article Submission for Maximum SEO Impact
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of what article submission is and how it has evolved, let‘s dive into the step-by-step process for executing it effectively.
1. Research and Prospect Target Sites
The first step is to build a list of target sites that you want to submit articles to. These should be high-quality, authoritative sites that are relevant to your industry or niche.
Some key criteria to look for in a target site include:
- High Domain Authority (DA) or Domain Rating (DR)
- Strong organic traffic and keyword rankings
- Engaged audience in your target market
- Consistent publishing of high-quality content
- Acceptance of guest contributions or article submissions
To find potential sites, you can use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to search for top-ranking sites for your target keywords. You can also look for prolific guest authors in your space and see which sites they have contributed to.
For each potential site, dig into their content and audience to assess the relevance and value of a potential contribution. Also look for any published guest posting guidelines or submission instructions.
2. Generate Content Ideas
Once you have a solid list of target sites, the next step is to brainstorm article ideas that will resonate with each site‘s audience and provide real value.
Your goal should be to contribute unique insights and actionable advice that showcase your expertise and make the site‘s editors eager to publish your piece.
Some effective frameworks for generating strong article ideas include:
- Original research or data analysis
- Contrarian viewpoints or thought-provoking opinions
- In-depth ultimate guides or tutorials
- Expert roundups or interviews
- Case studies or success stories
Look for gaps in the site‘s existing content that you could fill, or timely topics that tie into current events or trends. Use tools like BuzzSumo or Google Trends to identify popular and trending content ideas.
The key is to find the sweet spot between what the site‘s audience is interested in and what you are uniquely qualified to write about.
3. Create Compelling Content
With your target site and article idea in hand, it‘s time to actually create the content. This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of quality and value.
Your article should be well-researched, insightful, and engaging from start to finish. Follow SEO best practices like using descriptive headlines, short paragraphs, and plenty of subheadings to break up the text and make it easy to read.
Use data, examples, and expert quotes to back up your points and add credibility. Cite your sources and link out to relevant third-party resources as well as a few strategic links back to your own site.
In terms of length, aim for at least 1,000-1,500 words to provide sufficient depth and substance. Some sites may have specific length requirements, so be sure to check their guidelines.
Also consider adding visual elements like images, charts, or infographics to make your content more engaging and shareable. A study by Venngage found that articles with an image once every 75-100 words got double the shares of articles with fewer images.
Source: Venngage
Before submitting, be sure to thoroughly proofread and edit your article to ensure it is error-free and meets the site‘s formatting and style requirements.
4. Submit and Promote Your Article
Once your article is polished and ready to go, it‘s time to pitch it to the target site. Follow their published submission guidelines, which may involve emailing the editor, filling out a form, or creating an account on their platform.
In your pitch, be sure to:
- Introduce yourself and your credentials
- Explain why your article is a good fit for their audience
- Include the complete article text or a link to a Google Doc
- Suggest a catchy headline and meta description
- Thank them for their consideration and offer to make any requested edits
If your article is accepted and published, congrats! But your work is not done. Now it‘s time to promote your article to drive maximum visibility and engagement.
Some effective promotion tactics include:
- Share the article on your social media channels and tag the publishing site
- Include a link to the article in your email newsletter or other owned media
- Reach out to influencers or other experts mentioned in the article and encourage them to share
- Submit the article to relevant content communities or aggregators like Flipboard or GrowthHackers
- Engage with any comments or social shares on the article to build relationships and keep the conversation going
The more traction and engagement your article gets, the more impact it will likely have on your SEO and referral traffic.
5. Analyze and Optimize
Finally, be sure to track the performance of your submitted articles so you can continually optimize your approach.
Use tools like Google Analytics and Ahrefs to measure metrics like:
- Referral traffic from each article placement
- Backlinks generated from each article
- Keyword rankings and organic traffic increases tied to article topics
- Social shares and engagement on each article
- On-site engagement and conversions from referred visitors
Based on these insights, identify your top-performing articles and target sites so you can double down on what‘s working. Look for patterns in terms of the types of content, headlines, or promotion tactics that are driving the best results.
At the same time, weed out any underperforming tactics or low-quality sites that are not delivering sufficient ROI. Continuously refine your article submission strategy based on data to maximize your SEO impact over time.
Advanced Article Submission Tactics for Even Greater Impact
Beyond the core process of researching, creating, pitching, and promoting your submitted articles, there are a few advanced tactics you can use to supercharge your results:
Data-Driven Content
Articles that include original data or research have been shown to generate significantly more backlinks and social shares than other types of content. In fact, a study by Buzzsumo found that data-driven content gets an average of 38% more links and 27% more shares than other content formats.
Source: Buzzsumo
To leverage this tactic, look for opportunities to conduct your own original research, surveys, or experiments related to your industry. Then include that proprietary data in your submitted articles to make them more authoritative and linkable.
Expert Roundups
Another effective tactic is to create expert roundup posts where you gather quotes or insights from multiple industry thought leaders on a particular topic. Not only does this make for compelling, credible content, but it also gives you a built-in promotion mechanism.
Each expert who contributes to the article will likely be eager to share it with their own audience, multiplying your reach. A study by Influence&Co found that articles with expert contributions generated an average of 268% more social shares than solo-authored posts.
SEO-Optimized Headlines
Your article headline is often the first thing that editors and readers will see, so it needs to be compelling and optimized for search.
Use tools like CoSchedule‘s Headline Analyzer or AMI Institute‘s Emotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer to craft headlines that are both emotionally engaging and keyword-rich. Aim for a balance of clarity, specificity, and intrigue.
A study by Backlinko found that emotionally-charged headlines drove 27% more shares on average, while question-based headlines drove 23% more clicks.
Source: Backlinko
Ego Bait
Finally, don‘t underestimate the power of appealing to people‘s egos when trying to secure article placements or promotional support.
One tactic is to feature or quote a particular influencer or editor in your article, then let them know about it when pitching or promoting the piece. They‘ll be more likely to want to share something that makes them look good and showcases their expertise.
Another approach is to create content specifically tailored to a particular editor or site‘s interests and perspectives. By showing that you‘ve done your homework and are catering to their needs, you‘ll increase the odds of a successful placement.
Measuring the Impact of Article Submission on SEO
As with any SEO tactic, it‘s important to have a clear framework in place for measuring the impact of your article submission efforts.
Some key metrics to track include:
- Number of articles submitted and published
- Number of backlinks generated from submitted articles
- Quality and relevance of linking sites (DA, DR, traffic, etc.)
- Referral traffic from submitted articles
- Keyword rankings and organic traffic increases
- Conversions and revenue from referred visitors
- Brand mentions and sentiment from submitted articles
By regularly monitoring these metrics, you can get a clear picture of how your article submission campaign is impacting your overall SEO performance.
Use tools like Google Analytics, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Mention to track your progress and identify areas for improvement. Set clear benchmarks and KPIs so you can measure your success over time.
It‘s also important to remember that SEO is a long-term game. Don‘t expect overnight results from your article submission efforts. Focus on consistently creating and promoting high-quality content, and the cumulative impact will build over time.
Conclusion
Article submission remains a powerful tool for boosting your SEO performance. By creating valuable content and securing strategic placements on authoritative third-party sites, you can build high-quality backlinks, drive referral traffic, increase brand exposure, and establish thought leadership.
The key is to approach article submission with a focus on quality over quantity. Invest the time and effort to create truly outstanding content that will resonate with your target audience and provide real value to the publishing site.
At the same time, don‘t neglect the strategic elements of site prospecting, article promotion, and performance tracking. Use data and best practices to continuously optimize your approach and maximize your SEO impact.
With the right strategy and execution, article submission can be a game-changer for your organic search performance. So start brainstorming those article ideas and get publishing!
FAQs
What is the difference between article submission and guest blogging?
Article submission and guest blogging are similar tactics that both involve creating content for third-party sites. The main difference is that article submission often involves submitting a completed article to a site, while guest blogging usually involves pitching an article idea and then writing the post once it is accepted. Guest blogging also tends to involve more relationship building and collaboration with the publishing site.
Can I submit the same article to multiple sites?
It is generally not recommended to submit the same article to multiple sites, as this can be seen as duplicate content and may actually hurt your SEO. Instead, focus on creating unique, original content for each site you submit to. If you want to cover the same topic for multiple sites, put a new spin on it or create a different version tailored to each site‘s audience.
How many articles should I submit per month?
There is no hard and fast rule for how many articles to submit per month. It will depend on your available resources, the quality of your content, and the publishing frequency of your target sites. As a general rule, aim for consistency over volume. It‘s better to submit one high-quality article per month than to churn out five mediocre ones.
What if my article submission is rejected?
Rejection is a normal part of the article submission process. Not every piece will be a perfect fit for every site. If your submission is rejected, try to get feedback from the editor on why and how you could improve it. Then, either revise the piece and submit it elsewhere, or use what you learned to create a stronger article next time. Don‘t get discouraged – persistence and continuous improvement are key.
How long does it take to see SEO results from article submission?
The timeline for seeing SEO results from article submission can vary widely depending on factors like the authority of the publishing site, the relevance and quality of your content, and the competitiveness of your target keywords. In general, it can take several weeks to a few months to start seeing a meaningful impact on your rankings and traffic. However, the long-term benefits of a sustained article submission campaign can compound over time, leading to significant growth in organic search performance.
