11 Reasons a Site Owner Will Not Approve Your Guest Post

I love to receive guest posts. However receiving and publishing them are two different things. While I am pretty welcoming about allowing people to register in order to submit a guest post for review, nearly half of the articles submitted have been rejected. So, I decided to put together a small list on reasons a site owner will not approve your guest post.

11 Reasons a Site Owner Will Not Approve Your Guest Post

Guest posting is a powerful way to build backlinks, expand your audience, and establish authority in your niche. However, getting your guest post accepted isn’t always easy. Many site owners are selective about what they publish, and rightly so. If your submission doesn’t meet their standards or align with their goals, it will likely be rejected. Here are 11 common reasons why a site owner may not approve your guest post.

1. Irrelevant Content
2. Poor Quality Writing
3. Overt Self-Promotion
4. Duplicate Content
5. Ignoring Submission Guidelines
6. Lack of Authoritative Backlinks
7. Unoriginal or Overdone Topic
8. Content Is Too Short or Too Long
9. Lack of Visual Elements
10. No Clear Takeaway or Actionable Advice
11. Plagiarization

Irrelevant Content

Your topic has nothing to do with the site. Kind of embarrassing, eh? Well, before even considering to submit, make sure to research the site. It will make things far more efficient and your post’s chance of being approved a lot higher.

Additionally, irrelevant content includes whether or not if your article coincides with the opinions of the website or the information is wrong. If the article is suppose to have good information, it needs to at least coincide with the views of the website or it will not be welcomed.

If the site owner believes in one method, it is important to bring your side to the table before submitting and perhaps the blog owner may approve your article if it sounds logical to them. Some blog administrators are fairly lenient in articles written with opinion, but if it is pretty far fetched, it might not be posted. As for false information – pretty understandable that you will not be approved as it will reflect negatively on the site.

Poor Quality Writing

Even if the topic is relevant, poor writing can lead to immediate rejection. Grammatical errors, awkward sentence structures, and unclear messaging reflect badly on both you and the site. Site owners want to maintain a high standard of quality for their readers, so always proofread and edit your content before submitting.

Overt Self-Promotion

This is simply – you spammed. You decided to advertise your business or the one you are getting paid to blog for. In the end you just embarrassed your company. Might be harsh, but bloggers want transparency, not something fake. It’s okay to self-promote, but don’t overdo it. However, if you want to advertise a company, perhaps inquiring if the site owner allows sponsored posts and how much might be a more respectful thing to do before submitting.

Duplicate Content

Your article seems to be a duplicate copy. Big no no!!! Do not copy your post from another website. Always create a fresh and unique article!

Ignoring Submission Guidelines

You failed to follow the site owner’s directions when signing up and submitting an article.If they have an author box and do not want you to put a byline, or if you should have a Gravatar or enter your social network handles – these are important to take notice of. Many websites have clear guest post submission guidelines outlining what they expect from contributors. These guidelines often include information on word count, formatting, topics, and even the tone of writing. Ignoring these rules will signal to the site owner that you didn’t do your homework. Always read and follow submission guidelines carefully.

Lack of Authoritative Backlinks

Site owners value guest posts that not only provide valuable information but also back up claims with credible sources. Submitting content without linking to authoritative sites or references can reduce the credibility of your post. Including high-quality, relevant backlinks is essential for building trust and providing value to readers.

Unoriginal or Overdone Topic

If your topic has already been covered extensively on the site or across the web, the site owner may reject it for lack of originality. Guest posts are expected to bring fresh insights or unique perspectives to the table. Try to offer something new, whether it’s a different take on an old topic or an exploration of a less-covered subject.

Content Is Too Short or Too Long

Every website has its own preferences when it comes to article length. Submitting content that’s too short might suggest you haven’t fully explored the topic, while overly long content can lose the reader’s attention. Most site owners prefer a balance. Aim for a length that provides in-depth information but remains engaging and concise.

Lack of Visual Elements

In today’s content landscape, visuals like images, infographics, and charts enhance engagement and improve readability. Posts that consist of large blocks of text without any visual support can feel dense and uninviting. Including relevant, high-quality images or media can make your submission more appealing to both the site owner and their audience.

No Clear Takeaway or Actionable Advice

Site owners value posts that provide their readers with clear takeaways or actionable advice. If your guest post is purely theoretical or too general, it may be rejected. Your content should be practical and offer real-world applications, tips, or insights that the audience can use immediately.

Plagiarization

No one wants a content theft’s work. It is not hard to search and find if article has been stolen. If you are a person who paid another for a guest post, make sure to check the article before submitting or you will look as bad as the person who copied.

If you are a site owner who accepts guest posts, what other methods would qualify for the guest’s article to not be approved? Any guest post stories? Have you ever had anyone submit plagiarized material to your site?