The sites that already rank for your target keyword are some of the best places to get a link. Google has already decided they are relevant to the topic, and their readers are the people you want to reach. This guide shows a manual method to find publishers ranking for your keyword, filter the list and check prices in bulk.
You only need Google, a spreadsheet and about an hour.
Why publishers ranking for your keyword make good link sources
A publisher that ranks for your keyword has proven topical relevance. Its pages are indexed, they get search traffic and they cover the same subject you do.
Links from these sites tend to be relevant at the site, page and context level. They can also send visitors, because the people reading those pages are searching for exactly what you offer. For more on why topic fit matters so much, see relevance vs geography in link building.
Step 1: Search your keyword the way your audience does
Start with your main keyword, then add a few close variations and longer questions. For a project management tool, that might be “project management software”, “best project management tools” and “how to manage remote projects”.
- Use a private or logged-out browser window so your history does not change the results.
- Set the country and language that match your target market.
- Look at the first two or three pages of results, not just page one.
- Note the results in “People also ask” and news boxes too, since they often show smaller publishers.
If you target a non-English market, run the searches in that language. Our guide on finding guest post sites in other languages covers local search in more detail.
Step 2: Collect the domains from the top results
Copy each ranking URL into a spreadsheet, then reduce it to the domain. Add a column for the keyword it ranked for and its position.
After five to ten searches, you will notice that some domains appear many times. These repeat publishers are often the strongest candidates, because they rank across the whole topic and not just one page.
Keep the sheet simple. Columns for domain, keyword, position, type and notes are enough at this stage. If you want a system for keeping lists like this tidy, read how to organize guest posting lists.
Step 3: Filter out competitors and big brands
Not every ranking site is a realistic link source. Remove the ones that will never link to you or are not worth the effort:
| Type of site | Keep or remove? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Direct competitors | Remove | They will not link to a rival product. |
| Large brands and marketplaces | Usually remove | Big retailers and platforms rarely sell or accept placements. |
| Forums, Q&A sites and social platforms | Remove | Links there are user-generated and usually nofollow. |
| Niche blogs and magazines | Keep | These are the most likely to accept guest posts. |
| Review and comparison sites | Keep | Many accept link insertions in existing articles. |
| News and industry media | Keep, check price | Some sell sponsored content, often at higher prices. |
After filtering, you should have a shorter list of independent publishers that cover your topic.
Step 4: Check which sites accept guest posts or link insertions
Now find out which publishers will work with you. There are a few quick ways to check:
- Look for a “write for us” or “advertise” page. Search site:example.com “write for us” or check the footer and contact page.
- Look for sponsored or guest content. Labels like “sponsored”, “partner content” or “guest author” mean the site already publishes outside content.
- Check guest post marketplaces. Many publishers list their sites on marketplaces, which saves you outreach time.
- Ask about link insertions. A site that ranks with an existing article may add your link to that page instead of publishing a new one.
Link insertions are often a good fit here, because the page that already ranks is the one you want a link from. Read guest post vs link insertion to decide which option suits each site.
Step 5: Check prices in bulk
Once you have a list of publishers that accept placements, you need to know what they cost. Checking each site on each marketplace by hand is slow, and the same domain is often listed at different prices.
Paste your whole list into a free backlink price checker. It shows the guest post and link insertion prices from several marketplaces side by side, cheapest first, with metrics like traffic, country and authority scores. Sites with no listed price are still worth contacting directly.
Prices vary widely. A small niche blog can cost under $100, while a large industry publication can cost several hundred dollars or more. Our guide on how much backlinks cost explains the typical ranges and what drives them.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Only looking at page one. Smaller publishers on pages two and three are often easier and cheaper to work with.
- Trusting rankings alone. A site can rank and still sell links to anyone. Check its recent posts and outbound links.
- Ignoring the target page. For link insertions, make sure the page that ranks is the one you are buying a link on.
- Paying the first price you see. Compare offers before you buy.
Also be aware that buying links can conflict with Google’s spam policies. Google asks that paid links use rel=”sponsored” or nofollow, and many SEOs still buy placements and accept the risk.
FAQ
How many keywords should I search?
Five to ten searches usually give you a good starting list. Add more variations if your topic is broad or you need many links.
Can I use SEO tools instead of manual Google searches?
Yes. Many SEO tools can export the ranking domains for a keyword. The manual method is free and shows you exactly what searchers see.
What if a ranking publisher does not accept guest posts?
Ask about a link insertion in an existing article, or offer something useful such as data or an expert comment. Some sites simply will not link, and that is fine.
Publishers that already rank for your keyword give you a short, relevant list to work from. When you are ready to compare costs, sign up for LinkAcquire for free and check your list in one go.