Comment Backlinks and SEO: 10 Things to Keep in mind while commenting for Backlinks

Ever compliment someone if their photo or video is good on social media?

Commenting is one of the fastest ways to engage with others and share your thoughts.

You’re a social media user, right?

Comments have been the backbone of every social media platform.

This is one of the main features that help such platforms understand how people are reacting to a post.

If you ask an old-school SEO specialist about different backlink types, they’ll definitely include “comment backlinks.”

Blog commenting for SEO is today’s topic.

I will discuss some of the main questions related to “blog commenting backlinks.”

Not only that, I will also share some websites that allow comments.

And I will also discuss whether you should include comment backlinks in your SEO strategy.

So without further ado, let's get started.

What are comment backlinks?

A lot of websites allow their visitors to share their thoughts regarding the content they are reading.

This is an extraordinary thing that can help authors or even webmasters improve their content.

It is supposed to add value.

But comments come in different kinds.

Sometimes you mention something or leave a link to support your opinion.

It is the same as what people used to do on forums—interacting with others and helping them out.

In my previous guide, I discussed forum backlinks. The post will help you improve as an SEO professional.

Coming back to what we were discussing—“comment and when someone leaves a link in it.”

The action of leaving a link within a comment is called a “Comment Backlink.”

For example, this is a comment by a person who was reading the article:

The comment is on a blog page discussing “48in48 Spotlight.”

This is normal, and nobody is criticizing this. But let’s assume that person added a link here!

When someone adds a link within a comment – the radar is on.

You have to think about whether this is an intentional comment or coming naturally.

For instance, this is an article on Substack discussing “How do we handle plagiarism in the lit mag community?”

And this person left a link while commenting:

As I said earlier, the radar is on whenever there’s a link within a comment.

But this link is totally genuine and in context with the discussion.

It is good, and nobody’s criticizing this.

But under the same post, someone commented this:

You can see the post is totally irrelevant to the link the person added.

But since the link is coming from a genuine website, it isn’t going to hurt them at all.

Now that we’ve discussed comment backlinks, let’s find out why they were so popular in off-page SEO.

Why do SEOs do comment backlinking?

The simple answer is to “build backlinks.”

Google uses backlinks as a strong SEO ranking factor, and this is the main reason SEOs leave comments with links to their websites.

Besides this, here are some other reasons why SEOs do comments:

• To increase domain rating or domain authority
• To increase the number of referring domains and pages
• To diversify their backlink profile
• To improve crawling and indexing of their pages

But do these things really help?

NO.

Blog comments for SEO can increase the number of backlinks, but Google has improved its algorithms significantly in recent times.

This has led many SEO agencies to stop hunting backlinks using shady tactics.

Instead, they prefer white label guest posts and outsourced backlinks.

But you aren’t an SEO agency, right? So, what’s in it for you to succeed as an SEO professional?

The answer is to learn and implement.

While comment backlinks have been around for a long time, that doesn’t mean they’re completely dead.

They still work in some cases under specific circumstances, but relying on them will only affect your website’s organic growth negatively.

What makes blog commenting for SEO problematic as a backlink strategy?

Google wants to see websites naturally linking to others using the best practices.

To achieve that, you have to build solid content and wait for others in your niche to link back to you.

Since you aren’t Brian Dean, who can create skyscraper content, you would have to wait for thousands of years to get attention from Google.

On the other hand, comment backlinks are easier to build.

And super easy to get caught as well.

The majority of websites now either do not approve links within comments or add a UGC tag.

This UGC tag within a comment stands for "User Generated Content" and signals to the search engine that the link is not coming from the website page.

You can simply check this by inspecting an existing link:

Instead, the link is added externally by the user themselves.

Now, the user could be you, and most of the time, “IT IS YOU.”

Good websites do have a solid audience, and people tend to discuss, but that’s a totally natural process.

It is something you can’t create or trick, especially when you are a beginner in SEO.

Before I move ahead, a super quick question: “Should you ignore comment backlinks for SEO growth?”

Definitely not. And for a comprehensive answer, read the entire post to learn more.

How to build comment backlinks in a way that can help your SEO

Backlinks in comments are problematic if they are your go-to strategy for off-page SEO. That’s why Repute Post has done extraordinary work compiling thousands of websites in 50+ niches.

Instead of following a random black-hat SEO tactic, go clean and help your website grow faster.

As far as comment backlinks are concerned, do these things to make them helpful:

1. Do not go general

Target relevant niche blogs to ensure backlinks from contextually appropriate content.

2. Leave a backlink when required

Do not just throw backlinks out there. Instead, only add a backlink when it is relevant to the discussion and necessary to support your comment.

3. Do not be the first and only person to comment

If you want to leave a backlink in a comment where you are the first and only person, stop! Don’t do it, as it is super easy to catch.

5. Don’t cross your limit

Limit comment backlinks to avoid relying on low-quality SEO tactics.

6. Use comment backlinks to diversify

Your go-to strategy should be niche edits or guest posts, and with that, use comment backlinks to diversify your backlink profile.

Since Google’s perspective about guest posting has also changed. Links in comments can help you diversify a bit more.

7. Be logical

Ask yourself, “Is the link in the comment helpful?” Try to think from another person’s perspective. If it isn’t logical, move away.

8. Your purpose should be branding

Do comments and leave backlinks solely to increase your brand recognition.

Your goal shouldn’t be to create backlinks just to increase their number.

9. Comment on ongoing discussions

If others before you are discussing something, try to engage and leave a link as a reference.

10. Do not sell anything

Stay calm and relaxed, and don’t be too promotional. Instead, try to answer or reply naturally based on the discussion with valid arguments.

These are some of the main steps you can take to ensure your comment backlinks are helpful.

11. Avoid comments in web 2.0 websites

Most of the time web 2.0 websites are not indexed by Google and other popular search engines. Including a link within a comment will only result in waste of time and effort.

Furthermore, web 2.0 backlinks strategy is something which Google and top SEO specialists discourage. So, think accordingly!

If you ignore these things, your effort will create further problems for your website.

How to find websites for doing comments?

I would rather recommend exploring our guest posting marketplace to build authoritative backlinks.

But, if you are already doing guest posts and niche edits, you can find comment rated websites by applying Google search operators.

Some of the top search operators are:

inurl:blog "post a comment"

inurl:comments "leave a reply"

intitle:blog "submit a comment"

inurl:discussion "add comment"

inurl:forum "post a comment"

"powered by WordPress" "leave a reply"

"leave a comment" "name * email"

inurl:blogspot.com "post a comment"

"comment form" inurl:blog

"leave a comment" site:.edu

inurl:blog "add comment"

inurl:post "leave a comment"

"comment section" inurl:news

"respond to" "add comment"

"join the discussion" "add your comment"

Note: These search operators can help you find websites that allow comments. You have to find websites manually that allow backlinks within the comments.

List of 200+ Blog Commenting Sites

Here’s a list of verified high DA blog commenting sites. But since it isn’t the right way to build links, some of the websites may not work now:

https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/

https://manvsdebt.com/

https://blog.iese.edu/

https://www.thebooksmugglers.com/

http://growmap.com

http://bloggingtips.com

http://www.allbloggingtips.com/

http://www.alltop.com/

http://www.alwayswellwithin.com/

http://www.androiddelta.com/

http://www.angelamccall.com/

http://www.another-blogger.com/

http://www.barbaracharles.org

http://www.basicblogtips.com/

http://www.beamoneyblogger.com/

http://www.beerbloggersconference.org/

http://www.beginatzero.com

http://www.blogelina.com/

http://www.bloggergo.com/

http://www.bloggingwhiz.com/

http://www.bloggingwithoutablog.com/

http://www.blogstash.com/

http://www.blogville.us/

http://www.blondish.net/

http://www.bluehatseo.com/

http://www.businessgross.com/

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/

http://www.cybernaira.com/

http://www.pmpnews.com/

http://www.damayanthijayasinghe.com/

http://www.dearblogger.org/

http://www.deardrfreelance.com/

http://www.democratherald.com/

http://www.digitalvani.com/

http://www.directory.blogaz.net/

http://www.divinecopywriter.com/

http://www.dmiracle.com/

http://www.donnamerrilltribe.com/

http://www.emoneymarketing.com/

http://www.empowermentmomentsblog.com/

http://www.enstinemuki.com/

http://www.famousbloggers.net/

http://www.findtheluv.com/

http://www.freebloghelp.com/

http://www.fuelmyblog.com/

http://www.geekfellows.com/

http://www.divinecopywriter.com/

http://www.dmiracle.com/

http://www.donnamerrilltribe.com/

http://www.emoneymarketing.com/

http://www.empowermentmomentsblog.com/

http://www.enstinemuki.com/

http://www.famousbloggers.net/

http://www.findtheluv.com/

http://www.freebloghelp.com/

http://www.fuelmyblog.com/

http://www.geekfellows.com/

http://www.globeofblogs.com/

http://www.gradmoneymatters.com/

http://www.grassrootsinternetstrategy.com.au/

http://www.grovetimes.com/

http://www.growmap.com/

http://www.happybloggerplaza.com/blog/

http://www.heiseidemocracy.com/

http://www.helenair.com/

http://www.host.madison.com/

http://www.hownottoraiseaserialkiller.com/

http://www.interactiondesign.sva.edu/

http://www.iphone6update.com/

http://www.journalstar.com/

http://www.joyhealey.com/

http://www.just-ask-kim.com/

http://www.justcreative.com/

http://www.justinrlevy.com/

http://www.kabenlah.com/

http://www.kaiserthesage.com/

http://www.kikolani.com/

http://www.links.org.au/

http://www.madlemmings.com/

http://www.missoulian.com/

http://www.monetizeblogging.com/

http://www.movabletype.org/

http://www.mtstandard.com/

http://www.mybloggingideas.com/

http://www.newcritics.com/

http://www.notopoverty.com/

http://www.onenaijablog.com/

http://www.passivepanda.com/

http://www.paulguzmanblog.com/

http://www.performinsider.com/

http://www.poststar.com/

http://www.rebekahradice.com/

http://www.revellian.com/

http://www.richpotpourri.com/

http://www.robertwdempsey.com/

http://www.santamariatimes.com/

http://www.savvy-writer.com/

http://www.seo-hacker.com/

http://www.seotechyworld.com/

http://www.shobhaponnappa.com/blog/

http://www.simplifytechnologyblog.com/

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/

http://www.slymarketing.com/

http://www.smartmarketerz.com/

http://www.socialtimes.com/

http://www.stopdropandblog.com/

http://www.superbloggingtips.com/

http://www.teachgoodstuff.com/

http://www.thefutureisred.com/

http://www.thepodcastersstudio.com

http://www.trueinventor.org/

http://www.unbounce.com/

http://www.w3blog.dk/

http://www.wassupblog.com/

http://www.weblogbetter.com/

http://www.weblogtoolscollection.com/

http://www.wordingwell.com/

http://www.wpslideshowplugin.com/

http://www.3ptechies.com/

http://www.abovealloffers.com/

http://www.adriennesmith.net/

http://www.aha-now.com/latest-posts/

http://www.amfastech.com/

http://www.animhut.com/

http://www.annieandre.com/

http://www.articpost.com/

http://www.awesomebloggers.com/

http://www.becomeablogger.com/

http://www.benspark.com/

http://www.besttipsforblogging.com/

http://www.bizchickblogs.com/

http://www.bizsuccessguide.com/

http://www.blog-directory.org/

http://www.blog.brsoftech.com/

http://www.blogclarity.com/

http://www.blogdir.co.uk/

http://www.blogdirectory.ws/

http://www.blogengage.com/

http://www.blogflux.com/

http://www.blogfolders.com/

http://www.bloggersideas.com/

http://www.blogging-techies.com/

http://www.bloggingcage.com/

http://www.bloggingtips.com/

http://www.bloggingways.net/

http://www.bloggingwizard.com/

http://www.bloggitips.com/

http://www.bloggodown.com/

http://www.bloghints.com/

http://www.blogorama.com/

http://www.blogpreneurs.com/

http://www.blogtap.net/

http://www.blogtoplist.com/

http://www.blogtrafficexchange.com/blog/

http://www.blogtrepreneur.com/

http://www.blogussion.com/

http://www.boxertechnology.info/

http://www.brainymarketer.com/

http://www.britblog.com/

http://www.caricatures.org.uk/blog/

http://www.communityspark.com/

http://www.comptalks.com/

http://www.copyblogger.com/wf-pamela-wilson-file/

http://www.cravingtech.com/

http://www.currybet.net/

http://www.daddydewberry.com/

http://www.dailyblogtips.com/

http://www.dailymorningcoffee.com/

http://www.dollarsblog.com/

http://www.effectivebusinessideas.com/

http://www.enchantingmarketing.com/

http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/

http://www.epreneur.tv/

http://www.estellaeffects.com/

http://www.ewebtip.com/

http://www.exceptnothing.com/

http://www.exeideas.com/

http://www.ez-onlinemoney.com/

http://www.fatfightertv.com/

http://www.finweb.com/

http://www.gazettetimes.com/

http://www.geekblogtips.com/

http://www.grokdotcom.com/

http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/

http://www.heraldextra.com/

http://www.intenseblog.com/

http://www.itechcode.com/

http://www.japantoday.com/

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/blog

http://www.johnchow.com/blog/

http://www.kaarinadillabough.com/

http://www.keepinspiring.me/

http://www.kinbloggers.com/

http://www.kongtechnology.com/

http://www.lisathomsonlive.com/

http://www.mackcollier.com/

http://www.magemojo.com/

http://www.makemenoise.com/

http://www.mediacrayon.com/

http://www.meetup.com/

http://www.mydailylifetips.com/

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/

http://www.onlyloudest.com

http://www.papablogger.org/

http://www.peramburkumar.com/

http://www.dailytekk.com/

Wrapping up

I am really happy that you read this post till the very end. Blog commenting was popular, but over time it lost its importance.

These days, it is just another tactic to spam and invites Google to take strict action.

In this guide, I discussed comment backlinks and whether you should use them in your link-building strategy.

SEO is an ongoing process, so try to follow the right practices that can help, not the ones that further hurt your organic SEO growth.