Collaborating with a guest blogging services company is an excellent way to improve your SEO. While guest posting is a popular technique, it does come with certain risks, including the potential for scams. Guest post scammers often target bloggers who are striving to grow online, taking their money without delivering promised results.
How Do Guest Post Scammers Operate?
As the number of bloggers in the U.S. grew to over 31.7 million after 2020, the demand for quality blog posts increased—and so did the number of scammers. How can you recognize a scammer?
Often, it’s difficult because scammers work hard to appear genuine. However, some of their methods are familiar. They may email you, including a link to their blog, and offer to write for your site. Upon receiving their post, you may notice links to a product, service, or brand that doesn’t align with your own.
Additionally, scammers often use common or similar names, and their accounts may feature profile pictures of businessmen or attractive women.
How to Avoid Scams
Fortunately, avoiding guest blogging agency scammers isn’t difficult if you know what to look for. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Research the Site
When a potential guest posting partner sends a link to their platform, check it thoroughly. Look at the website’s past content, history, and domain age. If the domain is new or has changed owners frequently, it could be a scam. - Reverse Search Their Picture
Scammers often use stock images or stolen photos to appear legitimate. Right-click their image and perform a reverse image search on Google. If it’s a stock or stolen image, you’ll quickly find the original source. - Check Social Media Profiles
Investigate the guest blogging agency’s social media channels. Look at their audience and how legitimate their profile seems. Scammers often have accounts with few followers or an audience full of spammy bots. - Use Contracts
A written contract can provide protection if issues arise. Ensure the contract outlines payment terms and the scope of work, so in the event of a dispute, you’ll have legal support.
The Bottom Line
Even the guest posting world isn’t free from scams. To avoid wasting time and money, always use written contracts, research the sender’s website and social media profiles, and reverse search their profile photo. Taking these precautions will help you avoid illegitimate sites and protect your investment.
