Search for guest post submission sites and you'll find three very different things mixed together: real blogs that take contributor articles, sites that sell sponsored placements, and old article directories that take anything. They need three different approaches, and one of them is a waste of your time.

The three kinds of guest post submission sites

1. Editorial guest post sites

These are real blogs that publish articles from outside writers because the content helps their readers. There's no charge, but the bar is high. You pitch, the editor decides, and they edit your work. The reward is a post on a respected site with a byline and usually one link back to your own site.

2. Sponsored post sites

These publish articles in exchange for payment. The good ones still edit for quality and only accept relevant topics. You get more control over the link and a faster answer. My list of sites that accept sponsored posts covers this side.

3. Article directories and open submission sites

These take almost anything, often instantly. They were popular years ago. Today most get little traffic and carry little weight, and some are full of spam. If a site promises instant approval with no editing, be careful. I've covered what's real and what isn't in instant approval guest posting sites.

Where to find sites that accept submissions

My free list of websites that accept guest posts covers thousands of sites across 37 categories, from business and marketing to food, travel and law. I checked every one live in September 2026: of 3,204 sites, 2,636 were live and 568 (18%) were dead or parked. So if you're working from an old list, expect roughly one in five to be gone.

More focused lists on my site:

• Free guest posting sites for editorial submissions
• High DA guest posting sites if authority is your priority
• Technology blogs that accept guest posts
• Sites that accept sponsored posts if you're placing for a brand

How to get your submission accepted

I've been on both sides of this for over 20 years, and most rejections come down to the same few things:

• Pitch first. A two line pitch with a specific angle gets a faster yes than a finished draft on a topic the site doesn't cover.
• Read the site before you pitch. If they've covered your topic three times, bring a new angle or pick another topic.
• Lead with a result. What did you do, what changed, and what can the reader copy?
• Keep it original. Never send something that's already published, even on your own blog.
• One link, in context. For editorial submissions, one relevant link back is normal. Five reads as a link scheme.
• Follow their format. Word count, images, author bio. Editors reject on small things when they're busy.

There's a full walkthrough in how to get a guest post accepted.

Submitting to my blog

lilachbullock.com is a marketing blog that's been publishing since the dial-up days. My readers are business owners, marketers and entrepreneurs, mostly in the USA and the UK. I take both kinds of submission:

• Editorial contributions. Original, practical articles that help my readers. Read the guidelines on my write for me page first.
• Sponsored posts and placements. For brands, agencies and resellers. Accepted posts usually go live within 24 to 48 hours of the details being agreed, and they stay live. Link insertions into existing articles are available too.

Each niche has its own guidelines page with the angles that get accepted: digital marketing, SEO, SaaS, AI, technology, small business, business, finance, health and travel.

A quick submission checklist

• Is the site live, indexed and still posting?
• Does it cover your topic, and have you found a fresh angle?
• Have you read and followed their guidelines?
• Is your article original and unpublished?
• Does your opening answer the reader's question straight away?
• Is your link relevant and in context?

Editorial or sponsored: which should you choose?

It depends on what you need and how much time you have.

• Choose editorial when you're building your own name, you can write something useful, and you're happy to wait for an editor's yes. Expect a lot of rejections at the top sites.
• Choose sponsored when you need a placement for a brand or client on a set timeline, or you want more say over the link.
• Use both if you're an agency. Editorial posts build reputation. Sponsored posts fill the gaps on your schedule.

Mistakes that get submissions ignored

I read a lot of pitches. The ones that get deleted without a reply usually have one of these problems:

• A generic greeting and a pitch that could have gone to any blog
• A topic list with no angle, like ten tips for social media
• A finished article full of links to one company
• Content that's already live somewhere else
• Follow-up emails every two days

Fix those and your acceptance rate goes up everywhere, not just on my blog.

How to keep your own submission list fresh

Lists go stale quickly. Before a campaign, check every site on your list is still live, still publishing and still taking outside articles. Drop the ones that have stopped. My list of websites that accept guest posts was checked live in September 2026, which saves you that first round of cleaning.

Frequently asked questions

What are guest post submission sites?

They're websites that accept articles from outside writers. Some publish them free as editorial contributions, some publish sponsored posts, and some are open article directories.

Are free guest post submission sites worth it?

Editorial sites with real readers are worth it. Open directories that accept everything instantly rarely are.

How many guest post sites are still live?

When I checked 3,204 sites from my list in September 2026, 2,636 were live and 568 (18%) were dead or parked.

Can I submit a guest post to lilachbullock.com?

Yes. Editorial contributors should read the guidelines on the write for me page. Brands and agencies placing sponsored posts can email with their target URL, topic and niche.

How long does a decision take on your blog?

Usually a few working days for editorial pitches. Sponsored placements usually get an answer within a working day.

How many links can I include?

For an editorial contribution, one relevant contextual link is normal. Sponsored placements are discussed case by case.

Should I send a finished article or a pitch?

Send a pitch unless the site's guidelines ask for a finished article. A short pitch with a specific angle gets a faster decision and saves you writing something the editor can't use.

What should I do if a site doesn't reply?

If you haven't heard back in two weeks, treat it as a no and pitch the idea somewhere else. Chasing every few days rarely changes the answer.