Why Should Blog Commenting Be a Part of Your SEO Strategies?
This goes without saying that link building has been an essential aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) for years.
However, using outdated or spammy link-building techniques can actually harm your website’s reputation and rankings.
Moreover, with Google’s continuous updates to their algorithm, many marketers have given up on the blog commenting link-building strategy.
In this article, we will explore the reasons why you should not use blog commenting for link building and provide alternative strategies for building backlinks.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What is Blog Commenting?
Blog commenting is a feature that allows readers to share their thoughts, feedback, and questions directly on a blog post. It’s a way for readers to engage with the content and the author, creating a conversation and community around the blog.
Commenting can also provide valuable insights, spark discussions, and help build relationships between bloggers and their audiences. Additionally, comments can enhance the blog’s SEO by adding fresh content and encouraging more interaction on the page.
Why Should You Use Blog Comment for SEO?
Using blog comments for SEO can be a smart move for several reasons.
- Comments add fresh content to your blog post. Search engines like Google love new content, which can help improve your rankings.
- They create more opportunities for using keywords. When people comment, they might use words related to your post’s topic, which can boost your SEO without you having to stuff keywords into your content.
- They show that your blog is active and engaging. Search engines notice this and might rank your post higher because it’s seen as valuable and relevant.
- Comments can lead to more backlinks. If someone finds your discussion interesting, they might link to your post from their own website, which is great for SEO.
Blog comments can be a powerful tool for improving your SEO, making your blog more visible and attractive to both readers and search engines.
How to Use Blog Comments for Link Building SEO?
Using blog comments for link building in SEO can be a clever strategy, but it needs to be done right. Here’s how:
- Find blogs that are related to your niche. This is important because you want your comments to be relevant and add value to the discussion.
- When you leave a comment, make sure it’s thoughtful and contributes to the conversation. Simply saying “Great post!” won’t cut it. Share your insights or ask a meaningful question.
- Include a link to your website in your comment, but do it naturally. For example, you could say, “I wrote a post about a similar topic. You can check it out here.” This way, your link feels like a helpful addition rather than spam.
- Don’t go overboard with commenting. If you leave too many comments with links in a short period, it might look spammy and hurt your SEO instead of helping it.
Remember, the goal is to build relationships and provide value, not just to drop links. If you focus on being genuinely helpful and engaging, the SEO benefits will follow.
Bulk Commenting Lead To Google Penalties
Okay, let’s quickly understand this.
Bulk commenting refers to the practice of posting a large number of comments on websites, blogs, or forums in a short period.
This is often done by automated software or bots, and the comments are typically low-quality, irrelevant, or repetitive.
The primary intention behind bulk commenting is to generate backlinks or to promote a specific product, service, or website.
However, this practice is considered spammy and can have negative consequences.
Google, being the leading search engine, is committed to providing the best user experience and relevant search results.
As a result, Google constantly updates its algorithms to identify and penalize websites that engage in spammy practices, like bulk commenting.
Here’s why bulk commenting can get you penalized by Google:
- Low-quality content: Bulk comments are usually generic and do not provide any value to the users. Google’s algorithms prioritize high-quality content, and websites with a significant amount of low-quality content may suffer in search rankings.
- Violation of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines: Google explicitly states in its Webmaster Guidelines that any attempt to manipulate a site’s ranking in search results through deceptive techniques, like spamming or bulk commenting, is against their guidelines. Violating these guidelines can lead to penalties or even removal from Google’s search results.
- Negative impact on user experience: Websites with a large number of spammy comments can lead to poor user experience, as users might have trouble finding relevant information amidst the clutter. Google takes user experience into account when ranking websites, so a poor user experience can negatively impact your search rankings.
- Association with bad neighborhoods: Websites that engage in bulk commenting are often linked to other spammy websites, forming a “bad neighborhood” in the eyes of Google. Associating with such websites can harm your website’s reputation and affect your search rankings.
To avoid being penalized by Google, monitoring your website’s comments and implementing anti-spam measures can help you maintain a clean and valuable comment section.
How to Write a Comment (Example)
Writing a good comment on a blog is all about adding value to the conversation. Let’s say you’re commenting on a blog about gardening. Here’s an example of a thoughtful comment:
“Hi there! I really enjoyed your post on organic gardening techniques. I’ve been experimenting with companion planting in my own garden, and I’ve seen some great results. Do you have any tips for managing pests naturally? I’m trying to avoid chemical pesticides. Thanks for the great read!“
When writing a comment for backlinking, keep these tips in mind:
- Be Relevant: Make sure your comment is related to the blog post’s topic. Off-topic comments can be seen as spammy.
- Add Value: Share your knowledge, ask a genuine question, or provide constructive feedback. The more insightful your comment, the more likely it is to be approved and appreciated.
- Be Polite: Always be respectful and courteous in your comments. Avoid negative language or criticism.
- Use Your Real Name: Using your real name adds credibility to your comment. Avoid using keywords as your name, as this can look spammy.
- Keep It Short: Aim for a comment that’s brief but meaningful. Long comments can be overwhelming, while very short comments might not add much value.
- Include a Link Naturally: If you’re including a link to your website, make sure it’s relevant to the conversation and adds value. Avoid dropping links without context.
By following these tips, you can write comments that are both helpful to the blog’s audience and beneficial for your SEO efforts.
The Red Flags of Blog Commenting for Link Building
Blog commenting for link building can be effective, but it’s important to avoid common pitfalls. Here are some red flags to look out for:
1. Comment Spam
Indeed, spam comments are a significant problem in blog commenting. Many bloggers and website owners receive a lot of spammy comments that add no value to their content.
If you leave spammy comments on blogs, you may be marked as a spammer and banned from commenting on that blog or other blogs. Therefore, it’s essential to leave valuable comments that add value to the discussion.
2. Low-Quality Links
Not all backlinks are created equal. Some backlinks may come from low-quality websites or irrelevant blogs, which may hurt your website’s authority and rankings.
Therefore, it’s crucial to be selective about the blogs you comment on and ensure that they are relevant and high-authority websites.
3. Time-Consuming
Blog commenting can be a time-consuming process. To make an impact, you need to leave valuable comments on relevant blogs regularly. It can be challenging to find the time to research and read other blogs, leave valuable comments, and respond to comments on your blog.
Therefore, blog commenting may not be the best link-building strategy for those who have limited time or resources.
Blog Commenting Sites List
When looking for blog commenting sites in specific niches, it’s important to choose reputable and active blogs.
1. Digital Marketing:
- Moz Blog: https://moz.com/blog
- Neil Patel’s Blog: https://neilpatel.com/blog
- Search Engine Journal: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/
- HubSpot Blog: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing
- Content Marketing Institute: https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/blog/
- Social Media Examiner: https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/
- Copyblogger: https://copyblogger.com/blog/
- Search Engine Watch: https://www.searchenginewatch.com/
- Marketing Land: https://marketingland.com/
- Backlinko: https://backlinko.com/blog
2. Health:
- WebMD Blogs: https://blogs.webmd.com/
- Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/blog
- Dr. Axe: https://draxe.com/blog/
- Mindbodygreen: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles
- Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles
- The Health Care Blog: https://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/
- KevinMD: https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/
- Everyday Health: https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/
- Harvard Health Blog: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog
- Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions
3. Education:
- Edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org/
- Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/
- The Chronicle of Higher Education: https://www.chronicle.com/
- TeachThought: https://www.teachthought.com/
- eLearning Industry: https://elearningindustry.com/
- Education Week: https://www.edweek.org/
- The Hechinger Report: https://hechingerreport.org/
- Getting Smart: https://www.gettingsmart.com/
- Faculty Focus: https://www.facultyfocus.com/
- The Innovative Educator: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/
4. Tech:
- TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/
- Wired: https://www.wired.com/
- Ars Technica: https://arstechnica.com/
- The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/
- Gizmodo: https://gizmodo.com/
- CNET: https://www.cnet.com/
- Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/
- ZDNet: https://www.zdnet.com/
- TechRepublic: https://www.techrepublic.com/
Conclusion
Blog commenting for backlinks is a strategy that can boost your SEO and drive traffic to your site. It’s about joining conversations and sharing insights in your niche.
Quality is key in this approach. Focus on leaving thoughtful comments that add value and demonstrate your expertise.
Don’t just drop a link and leave; engage genuinely and become part of the community.
When done correctly, blog commenting can be a powerful tool for SEO. It helps you get noticed by both readers and search engines.
So, start commenting and watch your online presence grow!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can blog commenting still be effective for traffic generation?
If done right, blog commenting can still be an effective way to generate traffic to your website. By leaving valuable comments on relevant blogs, you can attract readers who are interested in your content.
What should I do instead of blog commenting for link building?
There are several other link-building strategies you can use, such as guest posting, broken link building, and the skyscraper technique.
Can blog commenting hurt my website's SEO?
If you leave spammy comments or comments on low-quality websites, it may hurt your website's authority and rankings. Therefore, it is essential to be selective about the blogs you comment on and ensure that they are relevant and high-authority websites.
How often should I guest post?
There is no set number of guest posts you should write. However, it's essential to focus on quality over quantity and ensure that your guest posts are relevant to your niche and provide value to the audience.
Can I use automated tools for link building?
No, using automated tools for link building is considered spammy and can harm your website's authority and rankings.
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