Buying guest posts: what to check before you pay

Publisher

1. Confirm the domain or understand the provider's selection rules.
2. Check topical relevance and recent editorial coverage.
3. Review traffic or visibility trends in context.
4. Inspect recent outbound links and obvious paid-post patterns.

Deliverable

1. Confirm who writes the article.
2. Clarify editorial revisions and approval.
3. Know where the article will appear and whether it can move.
4. Confirm any promised reporting or status updates.

Commercial terms

1. Check the total price and included services.
2. Read cancellation/refund rules.
3. Understand replacement terms if a placement is removed.
4. Keep the order terms and communication in writing.

Paid-link handling

Ask how sponsorship is disclosed and how the outbound link will be qualified. Google's current guidance recommends rel="sponsored" for paid placements; nofollow is also acceptable.

Final question