Blog commenting has long been a staple in the realm of SEO, serving as a straightforward yet effective method to build backlinks and foster engagement. By leaving thoughtful comments on relevant blogs, you can not only drive traffic to your own site but also establish a presence within your niche. This practice helps in creating connections with other bloggers and readers, potentially leading to collaborations and increased visibility. Despite its simplicity, blog commenting remains a valuable tool in the SEO toolkit, contributing to the overall strategy of improving search engine rankings and enhancing online reputation.
However, in the fast-evolving landscape of digital marketing, blog commenting might seem somewhat antiquated or too subtle to make a significant impact on SEO results. With the rise of more sophisticated techniques like influencer marketing, social media campaigns, and advanced link-building strategies, the humble blog comment can appear to be overshadowed. Nonetheless, it is necessary to recognise that blog commenting still holds importance for SEO despite the changes that have happened in the digital landscape. In this article, we delve deeper into the continued significance of blog comments for SEO.
What Changed With Blog Commenting as an SEO Backlinking Strategy
Once upon a time, it was discovered that leaving comments with links back to one’s own website on other people’s blogs was a straightforward and quick method to acquire new backlinks. As this tactic gained popularity, numerous companies emerged, offering “blog commenting services” to help businesses secure more backlinks. Consequently, the internet became flooded with spam comments, cluttering the space beneath quality content with irrelevant messages and links to unrelated websites.
In response to this surge of spam comments by blog commenting sites for SEO, Google implemented updates like Panda and Penguin, rendering these irrelevant comment backlinks ineffective for the websites they targeted. With pages often containing hundreds of links to various websites, each link contributed minimal link juice. Today, strategic, highly relevant, and high-authority backlinks are far more valuable than numerous backlinks from irrelevant sources.
Moreover, Google has intensified its penalties for spammy backlinks, imposing severe consequences for blog comments linking to dubious resources. As a result, blog commenting is no longer a quick and easy way to gain backlinks or enhance SEO. If done incorrectly, it can even actually harm a website through penalties and weakened SEO.
Why Blog Commenting is Still Important For SEO
As explained previously, it is reasonable to question whether blog commenting still holds significance for SEO. The short answer to this question is yes, but not necessarily in the direct, link-building manner that was once popular. In the early days of SEO, adding a link to your site in a blog’s comment section seemed like a quick way to gain a backlink. However, search engines like Google have adapted, and now most blog comment links are marked “nofollow,” indicating that they should not pass direct link equity.
Nevertheless, blog commenting can still be valuable in more indirect ways. By leaving thoughtful and relevant comments on industry blogs, you can increase brand visibility, as regular participation in discussions helps people remember your name, brand, or website. Additionally, meaningful comments can build trust and authority, positioning you as an expert or a credible voice in your field. Even nofollow links can drive referral traffic if your comment piques interest, and comments can initiate conversations that lead to collaborations, guest posts, and other beneficial partnerships.
In essence, while blog commenting may not provide straightforward SEO benefits anymore, it can enhance your broader content marketing and authority-building efforts, demonstrating your engagement within the community rather than just seeking quick SEO gains.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Blog Commenting For SEO
Although blog comments for SEO no longer provide direct benefits, they can still positively impact your SEO strategy in an indirect manner. This is especially true if you follow some best practices for blog commenting, such as the following:
- Do: Use Your Brand Affiliation or Real Name
Using a fake persona can undermine your credibility. Instead, opt for your real name or brand name —something that others can easily recognise and remember. This openness fosters trust and may motivate people to visit your site. Consistency in your branding across various platforms and comment sections is crucial, as it helps establish you as a genuine and reliable presence within the community.
- Do: Say Something Worthwhile
Your comment should provide more than just a basic “Good post!” Instead, share a unique perspective, a relevant piece of data, or a personal story that enriches the discussion. Both readers and the blog’s author will value comments that offer genuinely useful or insightful information, rather than merely praising the writer.
- Do: Select Relevant Blogs
Leaving comments on random blogs just to include your link is ineffective and can appear spammy. Instead, focus on blogs that discuss topics related to your industry, niche, or area of expertise. This way, you will engage with readers who are genuinely interested in your insights and contribute to discussions that can establish you as a knowledgeable authority in your field.
- Don’t: Spam with Irrelevant Links
Dropping irrelevant or excessively promotional links in your comments is a guaranteed way to develop a spammy reputation. If your link does not genuinely enhance the discussion, it is best to avoid including it. Google and webmasters are swift to penalise or delete comments that are blatantly self-serving and lack meaningful contribution.
- Don’t: Utilise Over-Optimised Anchor Text
When including a link in your comment, steer clear of using exact-match keyword anchor text like “Best SEO services in Singapore,” as it appears manipulative and forced. Instead, use your real name or brand name naturally. If the platform permits linking your website within the designated fields, ensure that it is straightforward and honest, avoiding any keyword stuffing.
- Don’t: Leave Generic Comments
Simply copying and pasting a “Nice article, keep it up!” comment on every blog will not earn you any respect. Readers can easily detect insincerity. If the blog owner suspects that you are a bot or a spammer, your comments will likely be deleted. It is important to take the time to write a unique comment for each post.
Conclusion:
Blog commenting undoubtedly remains a vital component of SEO strategies even today. While it may seem overshadowed by more modern techniques, its ability to foster genuine engagement and build relationships within your niche is unparalleled. Thoughtful comments can drive traffic, enhance your online presence, and contribute to a diverse backlink profile, which is crucial for search engine rankings. Moreover, blog commenting offers a unique opportunity to connect with other bloggers and readers, creating a sense of community and trust. By integrating blog commenting into your broader SEO efforts, you can achieve a more holistic and authentic approach to improving your site’s visibility and authority. Thus, despite its seemingly old-school nature, blog commenting sites for SEO continue to hold significant value in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.
