What’s the Problem with 'Write for Us' Blogs?

Here’s what you do: you’re handed a budget, tasked with building links, and told to “scale content outreach.” You hit up every “write for us” blog on generic guest post farms, thinking volume will move the needle. Fast forward a quarter, and you’re staring at a pile of low value links from sites that link to anything with a pulse. Meanwhile, your rankings are flat, or worse, your domain’s showing signs of Google’s cold shoulder. Sound familiar?

Let’s Be Real: “Write for Us” Blogs Are the SEO Junk Drawer

If you’re managing serious budgets and can’t afford to get penalized by Google, “write for us” blogs should set off alarm bells. These sites are the black holes of link-building — sucking in content from every Tom, Dick, and Harry, with zero editorial standards and zero topical relevance.

Look, I’ve vetted dozens of link vendors over 15 years, managing multi-million dollar ad spends. I’ve seen every scam, every cheap trick, and every “write for us” network that claims to be “premium.” Let me break down why these blogs are a risk and why you should steer clear.

The Anatomy of Generic Guest Post Farms

At their core, “write for us” blogs are generic guest post farms. They:

Accept content from anyone — no niche expertise, no quality threshold Link out indiscriminately — often linking to competitors, spammy sites, or worse Have thin, low-value content stuffed with keywords and awkward link placements Show zero editorial oversight — sometimes published automatically through APIs or bulk submissions

These sites exist solely to monetize content submissions, often resold through shady networks with opaque pricing. They offer the cheapest of the cheap links, but at what cost?

Low Value Links and Google’s Deindexation Threat

Google’s algorithms have evolved past “link quantity” BS. Today, it’s about quality and relevance. Links from sites that link to anything are worthless at best and harmful at worst. Here’s why:

Link Dilution: When a site links out to hundreds of unrelated domains, each link’s value plummets. Your link becomes a drop in a sea of garbage. Topical Irrelevance: Google’s topical relevance models (like the Hummingbird and BERT updates) penalize links that come from unrelated niches. A health blog linking to a B2B SaaS company? Yeah, good luck. Deindexation Risk: Many “write for us” blogs get deindexed or penalized for spammy practices. If your links vanish overnight, so does your investment. Algorithmic Penalties: Low-quality link profiles trigger manual actions or algorithmic downgrades. Your rankings tank, your traffic drops, and your brand reputation suffers.

Reseller Markups and the Myth of Transparent Pricing

Here’s a pet peeve: you pay a premium price for “guest posting” through platforms like PressWhizz or Collaborator Pro, expecting transparency and quality. Instead, you get resold links on “write for us” blogs with zero added value and a markup that would make a used car salesman blush.

Look, transparency isn’t just about showing you a price list. It means:

Showing actual domains, not just “DA 90+” badges or vague metrics stuck in 2018 Disclosing editorial controls — will your content be reviewed, or published as-is? Providing data on link placement and link neighborhood — who else links from these pages? Clear refund or replacement policies if links drop or sites get penalized

If your vendor can’t or won’t provide this, you’re just throwing money into the void.

How to Spot and Avoid “Write for Us” Link Farms

Corporate SEO managers and agency leads dealing with significant budgets must have a checklist for vetting link opportunities. Here’s what to look for:

Domain Relevance: Does the site cover your industry or related verticals? If not, run. Link Neighborhood: Use tools like Majestic or Ahrefs to check outbound links. If the site links to spammy, irrelevant or toxic domains, avoid. Content Quality: Manually review recent posts. Are they thin, spun, or stuffed with keyword-heavy anchor text? Editorial Processes: Ask vendors about content approval workflows. Are guest posts vetted, edited, or published without oversight? Indexation Status: Verify the site is indexed and ranking for relevant keywords. Deindexed sites are useless. Pricing Transparency: Demand full disclosure of where your links will be placed, and who controls the placements.

Better Alternatives: Quality Over Quantity

Instead of “write for us” farms, invest in premium, niche-relevant placements. Here’s what that means:

Industry-specific publications: Sites with real editorial teams, strict content guidelines, and engaged audiences. Data-driven outreach: Use APIs to identify topical relevance and link neighborhood metrics before pitching. Custom content creation: Write authoritative, data-backed articles that add value and naturally earn links. Transparent vendor partnerships: Work with vendors who provide live domain lists, editorial guarantees, and clear contracts.

Platforms like PressWhizz and Collaborator Pro can be effective if they don’t hide domains behind paywalls or resell generic guest posts. Insist on transparency and premium pricing that reflects real value, not reseller markup.

Final Word: Don’t Waste Your Budget on Link Garbage

Ask yourself this: look, seo is a high-stakes game with google’s algorithm changes and manual actions lurking best platform to buy backlinks around every corner. “Write for us” blogs and generic guest post farms are relics of a bygone era — stuck in 2015 while the rest of us have moved on.

If you want to protect significant budgets and avoid penalties, cut the crap. Vet domains like a hawk, demand transparency, and prioritize quality over quantity. Low value links from sites that link to anything won’t just waste your money — they’ll put your entire campaign at risk.

Stop chasing “cheap” and start investing in links that move the needle. Your rankings, your brand, and your bottom line depend on it.