In the digital age, where content is king and visibility is everything, having a strong online presence is no longer optional—it's essential. Whether you're a blogger, digital marketer, SEO expert, or small business owner, content marketing plays a vital role in growing your brand. One of the most effective and often underrated content marketing tactics is leveraging article submission sites.
Article submission sites allow you to publish high-quality content on third-party platforms with the intent of gaining backlinks, improving search engine rankings, and expanding your audience reach. They serve as a bridge between your content and potential readers, creating valuable SEO signals that search engines like Google use to determine your website's relevance and authority.
This guide will take a deep dive into what article submission sites are, why they’re still effective in how to use them correctly, and a curated list of the top platforms you can submit to right now.
1. What Are Article Submission Sites?
Article submission sites are web-based platforms that allow users to contribute articles in specific categories or niches. These platforms act as content repositories where submitted articles are published, often with a link back to the author’s website or blog.
Key Characteristics:
Articles are often categorized by topic or industry.
Many sites provide author bio sections for backlinks.
Some offer do-follow links; others are no-follow (still valuable for traffic).
They can be free or paid (premium placements).
Articles must typically adhere to editorial guidelines.
Common Related Terms:
Content directories
Article directories
Guest posting sites
Web 2.0 sites
By distributing content across multiple article submission websites, businesses can increase their brand awareness, drive referral traffic, and strengthen their link-building strategy.
2. Why Use Article Submission Sites in Update me
Despite the rise of social media and influencer marketing, article submission websites still hold relevance—especially for SEO, domain authority, and organic visibility.
Key Benefits:
a. Improved SEO and Link Building
Search engines view backlinks as a vote of confidence. When authoritative sites link to your content, it signals to Google that your site is trustworthy and relevant. Article submission sites offer:
Do-follow backlinks (on select platforms)
Higher domain authority through content syndication
Increased crawl rate from search engines
According to Ahrefs, 91% of web pages get zero organic traffic—largely due to lack of backlinks. Article submissions can help fill that gap.
b. Higher Referral Traffic
When users read your content on external platforms and click through to your site, it improves not only traffic numbers but also engagement and conversions.
c. Brand Exposure and Authority
Publishing on niche article platforms helps position you as an expert in your industry. The more valuable content you provide across the web, the more credibility you build.
d. Indexing New Content
If your site is relatively new or has low domain authority, submitting articles to high-ranking sites helps you get indexed faster by search engines.
e. Cost-Effective Marketing
Compared to PPC advertising or paid promotions, article submission is often free or low-cost, making it ideal for startups and solopreneurs.
3. Types of Article Submission Sites
Not all article directories serve the same purpose. Based on goals and user base, article submission platforms can be categorized into:
a. General Article Directories
These accept articles on a wide range of topics and are suitable for broad-based content.
Examples: EzineArticles, Sooper Articles, Article Cube
b. Niche-Specific Sites
Cater to particular industries like health, tech, marketing, travel, etc.
c. Web 2.0 Sites
These allow users to create their own mini-blogs or web pages to post content.
Examples: Medium, Tumblr, Blogger, WordPress.com
d. Paid Submission Sites
Offer premium exposure, better backlink profiles, and editorial quality.
Examples: Business2Community, Thrive Global
4. How to Use Article Submission Sites Effectively
Simply submitting articles won’t automatically bring results. You need a strategic approach to see meaningful impact.
A. Write High-Quality, Original Content
Your article must add real value. Avoid spinning content or copying existing material. Google’s algorithms are sophisticated and penalize thin or duplicate content.
B. Choose the Right Platforms
Not all sites are worth your time. Prioritize those with:
High domain authority (DA)
Active traffic
Editorial review process
Relevance to your niche
C. Follow Submission Guidelines
Each platform has its own:
Word count requirements (usually 500–1500 words)
Formatting standards (subheadings, short paragraphs)
Outbound link policies (max 1-2 links)
D. Optimize with Keywords
Use targeted and related keywords naturally in your:
Headline
Meta description
Introduction
Subheadings
Anchor texts
But avoid keyword stuffing—focus on readability.
E. Add a Strong Author Bio
Most article directories provide a resource box or author bio where you can add:
A short professional introduction
A link to your website or blog
Contact or social media handles
5. Best Article Submission Sites in Update me
Website | Domain Authority (DA) | Type | Free/Paid |
---|---|---|---|
Medium.com | 96 | Web 2.0 | Free |
LinkedIn Articles | 98 | Social Publishing | Free |
EzineArticles.com | 87 | General | Free |
SooperArticles.com | 52 | General | Free |
HubPages.com | 81 | General | Free |
ArticleCube.com | 49 | General | Free |
ShoutMeLoud.com | 60 | Blogging/SEO | Paid |
Blogger.com | 92 | Web 2.0 | Free |
WordPress.com | 94 | Web 2.0 | Free |
SiteJabber.com | 75 | Reviews | Free |
To maximize your results and avoid penalties, steer clear of the following:
Mistake 1: Submitting Low-Quality Content
If your article is filled with fluff, grammatical errors, or copied material, it won’t get published—or worse, it may hurt your brand reputation.
Mistake 2: Using Irrelevant Keywords or Links
Keep your content relevant to the article topic. Misleading anchor text or keyword stuffing can lead to de-indexing by Google.
Mistake 3: Ignoring SEO Optimization
Even on external sites, SEO matters. Use meta tags, proper headers (H2, H3), and optimized images if allowed.
Mistake 4: Focusing Only on Quantity
One high-quality post on a trusted site is more powerful than ten poor ones. Quality > Quantity always.
7. Measuring the Results of Article Submissions
Tracking performance helps refine your content strategy. Use tools like:
Google Analytics: Check for referral traffic from submitted articles.
Google Search Console: Monitor backlinks and keyword rankings.
Ahrefs or SEMrush: Analyze the strength and performance of earned backlinks.
Key metrics to track:
Referral traffic
Domain authority of backlinks
Time on site from referrals
Bounce rate and engagement
Leads or conversions (if applicable)
8. How Article Submission Fits into a Larger SEO Strategy
While article submission sites are powerful, they shouldn’t be your only tactic. Combine them with:
Guest Posting
On-page SEO Optimization
Email Outreach
Social Media Sharing
Infographic Submissions
Podcast & Video Appearances
This multichannel approach ensures consistent and long-term growth for your website or brand.
Conclusion
In a world dominated by content, standing out requires more than just writing—it requires smart distribution. That’s where article submission sites play a vital role.
They not only expand your reach and improve your SEO, but also position you as a valuable voice in your niche. From building backlinks and increasing visibility to generating leads and improving domain authority, article submissions remain a cost-effective and impactful content marketing strategy in 2025 and beyond.