Since you are looking for a practical, actionable tool, here is a detailed, ready-to-use checklist template for vetting any guest post publisher or site offered through a guest post marketplace or guest post service provider.
Use this template to ensure your investment in a paid guest post meets the highest standards for safety, authority, and SEO impact (E-E-A-T).
📋 Section 1: Core Technical Metrics (Tool-Based Verification)
Metric | Tool Used (e.g., Ahrefs, Semrush, Moz) | Target Value / Threshold | Verified Value | Pass/Fail | Notes |
Domain Authority (DA/DR) | Ahrefs / Moz | 40+ (Higher for competitive niches) | |||
Organic Traffic (Monthly) | Ahrefs / Semrush | Minimum 1,000+ (Non-negotiable) | |||
Traffic Trend | Ahrefs / Semrush | Stable or Growing (Avoid sharp drops) | |||
Spam Score | Moz Pro | < 5% (Anything over 10% is a major risk) | |||
Topical Trust Flow | Majestic | Must be relevant to Your Niche | |||
URL Rating (UR) (For Link Insertion) | Ahrefs | 20+ (For the specific article URL) |
Decision Point: If the site fails to meet the minimum threshold for Organic Traffic or has a high Spam Score, the link is high-risk. STOP AND REJECT.
2. 🧐 Section 2: Quality & E-E-A-T Vetting (Manual Inspection)
This section ensures the site adheres to Google's quality guidelines and validates its real-world authority.
E-E-A-T Factor | Inspection Check | Status (Pass/Fail) | Notes |
Content Quality | Is the content well-written, error-free, and valuable? (Read 2 recent posts). | ||
Outbound Link Profile | Are recent outbound links relevant and high-quality? (Check 3 recent posts). | ||
Advertising Saturation | Is the site cluttered with excessive ads, intrusive pop-ups, or banners? | ||
Author Expertise | Does the "About Us" or author page show real credentials/experience? | ||
Transparency & Trust | Are "Contact Us" and "Privacy Policy" pages clear and accessible? | ||
Link Farming Signals | Is there an excessive, easy-to-find "Write For Us" or "Advertise Here" banner? |
Decision Point: If the site looks neglected, has low-quality content, or lacks author transparency, the link will have low E-E-A-T value and may be penalized in the future. REJECT.
3. 🎯 Section 3: Relevance & Strategic Fit
This section ensures the link is contextually sound and supports your specific link building packages goals.
Strategic Factor | Check | Yes/No | Notes |
Niche Relevance | Is the site's primary topic a direct match for your industry? | ||
Audience Fit | Does the publisher's audience match your target customer demographic? | ||
Acceptable Anchor Text | Will the publisher allow a Partial Match or Exact Match anchor text? (If needed for your strategy). | ||
Link Permanence Guarantee | Does the Guest Post Marketplace guarantee the link will remain live for at least 12 months? | ||
Link Location | Can the link be placed contextually within the body of the article (not just the footer or sidebar)? |
⚖️ Final Decision Matrix
Use this matrix to make your final choice on ordering the guest post package or link insertion package:
- HIGH VALUE: PASS on all sections (Technical, E-E-A-T, and Strategy). Proceed with Purchase.
- MODERATE RISK: Fails one or two minor checks in E-E-A-T or Strategy but PASSES all Technical Metrics. Proceed with Caution (Consider a slightly lower price negotiation).
- HIGH RISK: Fails any of the Technical Metrics (especially traffic or spam score) or shows multiple E-E-A-T red flags. ABSOLUTELY REJECT—the cost of potential penalty outweighs the benefit.
By making this checklist a mandatory part of your process when using any guest blogging marketplace or guest post service provider, you ensure every dollar spent on a paid guest post service is a calculated investment, not a gamble.
