What Are Article Submission Backlinks?
Article submission backlinks are links you earn by publishing original articles on third-party websites. Think of it as a classic off-page SEO technique. You write a high-quality article, include a natural link back to your website, and publish it on a submission platform.
When done right, article submission backlinks:
- Improve your site’s authority in the eyes of search engines.
- Help readers discover your brand through external platforms.
- Strengthen topical relevance when your content aligns with your niche.
While many people treat it as just another link-building tactic, the truth is these backlinks can still be powerful in 2025—if you focus on relevance, quality, and compliance with site guidelines.
Why Are Article Submission Backlinks Important for SEO in 2025?
Search engines are smarter than ever. Spammy backlinks don’t work anymore, but genuine, context-rich links still play a big role. Here’s why article submission backlinks matter today:
- Boost Domain Authority: Publishing on high-authority platforms passes credibility to your site.
- Drive Referral Traffic: Articles on popular sites can bring real visitors, not just bots.
- Increase Brand Visibility: More platforms = more brand mentions.
- Niche Authority: Publishing in your industry strengthens topical relevance.
- Align with Google E-E-A-T: Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness are reinforced when your articles are valuable and well-placed.
Types of Article Submission Backlink Sites
Not all platforms are the same. Here’s a breakdown of the main categories:
- General Article Submission Sites
- Accept almost all topics.
- Great for reach, but not always niche-focused.
- Niche-Specific Article Sites
- Focus on particular industries like health, finance, or tech.
- Best for relevance and targeted authority.
- Guest Posting Sites
- Editorially-reviewed platforms where you contribute as a guest author.
- Often stronger backlinks due to higher quality control.
- Web 2.0 Article Submission Platforms
- Platforms like Medium, Blogger, or WordPress.com.
- Allow you to build content hubs while earning backlinks.
- PDF Submission Sites
- Sites like SlideShare or Issuu where you can upload articles in PDF format.
- Good for diverse backlink profiles.
- Press Release Submission Sites
- Useful for news-style content and announcements.
- Can bring fast indexing and media coverage.
How to Choose the Right Article Submission Sites for Backlinks
Not all submission sites are worth your time. Here’s a checklist for evaluating platforms:
- Domain Authority (DA): Aim for DA 40+.
- Relevance: The site should match your niche.
- Traffic: A platform with active readers is always better.
- Editorial Quality: Avoid spammy sites filled with thin content.
- Dofollow vs. Nofollow: A mix is natural, but prioritize dofollow.
- Reputation: Check if the site is indexed and respected by Google.
- User Engagement: Comments, shares, and interactions matter.
⚠️ Avoid sites that sell links openly, publish spun content, or have a reputation for spam.
Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Articles for Backlinks
Here’s a process you can follow to do it right:
- Research & Shortlist Sites – Pick platforms relevant to your industry.
- Register an Account – Sign up and complete your profile.
- Write High-Quality Content – Ensure originality, value, and readability.
- Follow Formatting Rules – Stick to the platform’s word count, tone, and structure.
- Add Natural Backlinks – Use varied anchor text, avoid keyword stuffing.
- Submit & Track – Keep a record of your published links.
- Promote Your Published Article – Share it on social media, newsletters, and forums for extra reach.
Top 50+ Article Submission Sites for Backlinks in India 2025
Here’s a curated list of some high-quality sites you can use.
Site Name | DA | Approval Type | Niche Focus | Link Type |
Medium.com | 95 | Instant | General/Niche | Nofollow |
LinkedIn Pulse | 98 | Instant | Business/Pro | Dofollow |
HubPages | 87 | Manual | General | Dofollow |
EzineArticles | 70 | Manual | General | Dofollow |
ArticleCube | 63 | Manual | General | Dofollow |
SlideShare | 95 | Instant | Business/Tech | Nofollow |
Issuu | 94 | Instant | General/PDFs | Dofollow |
Quora Spaces | 93 | Instant | Q&A/Niche | Nofollow |
Blogger.com | 92 | Instant | General | Dofollow |
Tumblr | 88 | Instant | Lifestyle/Art | Dofollow |
Best Practices & Guidelines for Effective Article Submission Backlinks
Follow these rules to maximize impact:
- Write original, valuable content.
- Diversify anchor text.
- Keep backlink placement natural.
- Avoid duplicate submissions.
- Respect site guidelines.
- Track published articles using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Article Submission Backlinks
Don’t fall into these traps:
- Publishing low-quality content just for a backlink.
- Submitting to irrelevant or spammy sites.
- Using over-optimized anchors.
- Ignoring site policies.
- Failing to monitor backlink health (toxic links can hurt SEO).
Measuring the Impact of Article Submission Backlinks on Your SEO
To know if your efforts are paying off, track:
- Referral Traffic: From Google Analytics.
- Domain Authority Growth: Using Moz or Ahrefs.
- Ranking Improvements: Track keywords in SEMrush.
- Indexing Status: Check if articles and backlinks are crawled in GSC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are article submission backlinks still effective for SEO in 2025?
Yes, when used strategically. Focus on high-quality, niche-relevant sites rather than spammy directories.
How many backlinks should I build through article submission?
Quality matters more than quantity. Even 10 strong backlinks can outperform 100 spammy ones.
Can I submit the same article to multiple sites for backlinks?
Avoid duplicate content. Rewrite or repurpose the article for each platform.
What anchor text strategy should I follow in article submission backlinks?
Use a mix: branded anchors, partial match, long-tail, and generic terms like “click here.”
How long does it take to see SEO results from article submission backlinks?
Typically 2–3 months, depending on your niche competitiveness and site authority.
Is it better to use free or paid article submission sites for backlinks?
Both have their place. Free sites are good for quantity, paid (high-DA) sites often deliver stronger authority.