Guest blog post costs show huge variations across the web. We analyzed over 1,000 sites and found prices that range from $20 for simple placements to $5,000 on high-authority domains. The price gap between buyers and sellers tells an interesting story – selling prices run 3-5 times higher than buying prices in certain markets.
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Our research into link building costs has found several factors behind these price differences. Domain Rating (DR) stands out as the most significant factor, as websites with DR 71-80 can charge an average of $1,008 per post. Your location makes a big difference in guest posting costs. Swiss websites charge the highest rates at $1,218 per post, while sites from Mali offer posts for just $45. The industry you’re in plays a huge role too. Web Development and Beauty sites charge premium rates, while Public Service and Personal Blogs tend to cost less.
Let’s break down what drives these guest posting prices, where you’ll find the best deals, and how to know if you’re getting a fair price for your next guest post.
What We Learned from Analyzing 1,000+ Guest Post Prices
We analyzed over 1,000 guest post prices and found some interesting patterns in the digital world. Let’s look at what the numbers tell us about guest blogging’s real cost today.
Average cost range across all DR levels
Guest post prices follow a pattern that’s tied to domain rating. Sites with DR 1-10 charge about $238 for a guest post. The price goes up with domain authority. Sites rated DR 11-40 ask between $351 and $390, while DR 41-50 sites’ average sits at $462.
The costs keep climbing as authority grows. DR 51-60 websites ask around $540, and DR 61-70 sites charge $633. The real jump happens at DR 70. DR 71-80 websites ask approximately $1,008 per post. DR 81-90 sites just need around $1,371, and the top-tier DR 91-94 domains command $4,530 on average.
Another study shows guest posts typically cost $220. This number jumps to $609 for “quality posts” – posts on sites with DR/DA over 65 and monthly organic traffic above 10,000.
Why DR matters more than traffic
Domain Rating affects guest posting prices more than website traffic. The data shows this clearly. Whatever the traffic numbers, prices climb in a similar way as DR increases.
Here’s a good example: sites with DR 11-20 charge 33.5% to 68.8% more than those with DR below 10, based on traffic levels. The same thing happens with higher-rated sites – DR 71-80 websites charge 51.9% to 69.5% more than DR 61-70 sites.
SEO experts have picked up on this trend. Domain authority serves as the key value marker in guest posting, ahead of visitor numbers. All the same, traffic plays a role – sites with similar DR ratings charge more when they have more visitors.
The surprising gap between asking and paying prices
The sort of thing I love about this analysis is the big difference between what site owners ask and what advertisers pay. Site owners typically ask 3-5 times more than what buyers end up paying.
This gap gets bigger with high-authority sites. DR 71-80 sites ask $1,066 but accept around $269 – that’s 4 times less. The difference grows with DR 81-89 sites (6 times: $1,433 vs. $234). DR 90-92 websites show the biggest gap, asking $4,595 but settling for $318 – a 14-fold difference.
To name just one example, see how a DR 41-50 site with 1K+ organic traffic lists guest posts at $406, yet advertisers pay just $59. These numbers suggest you can negotiate substantially, especially with high-authority sites.
How Domain Rating (DR) Impacts Guest Posting Prices
Domain Rating stands as the biggest factor that determines guest blog post costs. Let’s get into how DR affects pricing and whether these premium backlinks are worth their steep price tags.
Price jumps between DR 10, 20, 30, and beyond
DR tiers follow a clear pricing pattern. Sites with DR 1-10 charge an average of $238 per guest post. Prices jump by a lot—33.5% to 68.8%—once websites reach DR 11-20, with these sites averaging $351.
The price increase becomes steadier as we move up. DR 21-30 websites ask for about $374, while DR 31-40 sites cost around $390—showing smaller bumps of 13.4% and 6.2%. The average rises to $462 for DR 41-50, climbs to $540 for DR 51-60, and reaches $633 for DR 61-70.
Budget-conscious marketers find the best value in the DR 30-50 range. One pricing model shows guest posts on DR 40-50 sites cost about $60. Another source puts DR 31-50 backlinks between $300 and $700—a reasonable investment for the authority you gain.
Why DR 70+ sees the steepest price increase
Prices shoot up once sites hit DR 70+. The jump from DR 61-70 to DR 71-80 shows the biggest increase in all ranges—51.9% to 69.5% based on traffic levels. DR 71-80 sites ask for about $1,008 per post.
This sharp rise happens because the SEO community sees DR 70+ as a quality threshold for backlink sources. These sites take huge effort to build and maintain, which explains their premium prices. Site owners who spend years building authority naturally expect better compensation.
Research backs up this pricing trend. One study shows backlinks from DR 61-90 sites cost $300-$600. Another puts DR 71-90 links at $1,000-$2,000. Both confirm the big premium that high-authority domains command.
Is a DR 90+ backlink worth the cost?
Value becomes a key question with ultra-high authority sites. DR 81-90 domains charge about $1,371 per post. DR 91-94 sites ask for a whopping $4,530 on average—almost 14 times the typical payment.
These sky-high prices raise doubts about their worth. The gap between asking and actual prices peaks at this tier—DR 90-92 sites ask for $4,595 but usually get only $318. This huge difference suggests these sites are overvalued.
Most businesses won’t see enough ROI from DR 90+ backlinks to justify the cost. These premium links usually show diminishing returns unless you target super competitive keywords or work in high-value fields like finance or legal ($800-$1,000+ per link).
Multiple DR 50-70 backlinks often work better than one DR 90+ link—and cost much less. One expert notes DR 60-70 links usually cost up to $125, while DR 50-60 links cost around $100. These options offer more economical solutions for most link building strategies.
The Role of Website Traffic in Guest Post Cost
Website traffic ranks as the second biggest factor that affects guest blogging prices. Domain Rating leads the pack, but traffic numbers play a key role in what publishers ask for placement spots.
Traffic tiers: 1K+, 5K+, 10K+ and their price impact
Traffic tiers create clear price brackets in guest posting. Sites with low traffic (under 500 visitors) charge $0-$20, while those with basic traffic (500-1,000 visitors) ask for $10-$50.
Prices climb with traffic:
- 1,000-3,999 monthly visitors: $30-$60
- 4,000-9,999 monthly visitors: $40-$100 [162]
- 10,000-99,999 monthly visitors: $80-$150 [162]
- 100,000-499,999 monthly visitors: $130-$300 [162]
- 500,000+ monthly visitors: $800-$15,000 [162]
The numbers tell an interesting story. A jump from 1K+ to 5K+ traffic pushes prices up by 17%. The leap from 5K+ to 10K+ traffic adds just 7.2% to the cost.
Why traffic matters less than you think
Traffic clearly shapes pricing, but our analysis shows Domain Rating still drives costs the most in guest posting. Price patterns linked to DR stay similar across all traffic levels.
This traffic-DR connection shows up clearly in sites with lower Domain Ratings. Sites rated DR 11-20 see a 30% price bump when moving from 1K+ to 5K+ traffic – one of the biggest traffic-based jumps across DR levels. Yet DR changes pack more punch, with 33.5%-68.8% increases from DR 1-10 to DR 11-20 sites.
A study of 102,194 guest post publishers revealed that total website traffic topped the list of price predictors. This goes against some SEO beliefs but makes sense because total traffic shows a site’s real reach and marketing efforts.
When high-traffic sites are worth the premium
High-traffic websites earn their premium prices in specific cases. They send valuable referral traffic to your site. On top of that, they boost your brand’s visibility among new visitors and create competitive edges.
So, think beyond backlinks when you look at high-traffic sites for guest posting. These sites put your content in front of real people and spread your message beyond search algorithms.
Take a site with 10,000+ monthly visitors. It might cost 2-3 times more than one with 1,000 visitors but delivers much better engagement, exposure, and referral traffic. Sites that combine high traffic with high Domain Ratings (DR 65+ with 10,000+ monthly visitors) charge around $609, but they often give you better returns than cheaper options.
How Niche and Industry Influence Guest Post Pricing
Guest blogging prices vary dramatically based on industry specialization. Our analysis shows significant cost differences in various niches, where some industries charge almost three times more than others.
Most expensive niches: Web Dev, Beauty, Finance
Web Development leads the price charts with an incredible $109,006 per guest post. This sky-high figure comes from fierce competition and substantial marketing budgets as web development companies battle for online visibility.
The beauty industry ranks second at $813 per post. Literature ($849) and Manufacturing ($808) round out the high-cost segment. Men’s lifestyle content (“For Men”) demands premium rates at $101,000 per placement.
Financial services remain expensive across most platforms, though not in the top five. The global financial services market stands at $25.50 trillion and should reach $58.69 trillion by 2031. Companies gladly pay top dollar for exposure in this profitable market.
Cheapest niches: Public Service, Personal Blogs
Public Service websites provide the most affordable guest posting options at $306 per post. Personal Blogs come next at $323. Places ($338), E-commerce ($354), and Startups ($380) also offer budget-friendly opportunities.
Marketing & Advertising sits unexpectedly among the cheaper categories. This unusual positioning stems from market saturation – too many marketing websites drive down average prices.
Why niche saturation affects pricing
Supply and demand dynamics shape guest posting prices across different niches. Saturated markets show these patterns:
- Numerous similar websites compete for a limited pool of guest post buyers
- New sites with lower DR metrics pull down average prices
- Individual placements lose their perceived value
Industries where SEO takes a back seat (like Public Service and Agriculture) show lower prices consistently. This happens because fewer companies actively seek backlinks in these areas.
Markets with high consumer spending and strong competition command higher prices naturally. The global fashion market projects 8.94% growth between 2025-2029. This growth creates huge demand for visibility and pushes guest post prices higher.
Where to Buy High Quality Guest Blog Posts
If you’re looking to buy guest blog posts to boost your website’s SEO and authority, several reputable services can help. FatJoe offers a streamlined platform with a wide range of niche-relevant sites and transparent metrics. Rhino Rank is another trusted provider, known for its manual outreach and high-quality, contextual backlinks. Both platforms are ideal for marketers and agencies seeking scalable, white-hat link building solutions. Compare both of these link builders in this post.
Geographic Differences in Guest Post Costs
Guest blog post costs vary by location across the world. Our pricing analysis shows big differences between geographic regions. Some countries charge almost three times more than others.
Top 5 most expensive countries
Switzerland tops the global pricing charts with an $121.008 average cost per guest post. China comes in second at $109.004, with Sweden ($104.009), the United Arab Emirates ($102.005), and Korea ($993.00) making up the top five.
These expensive markets share key traits. They have smaller digital ecosystems paired with high purchasing power and mature marketing landscapes. Businesses in these developed economies are ready to invest heavily in online visibility, which pushes prices up.
Top 5 cheapest countries
Mali offers the lowest guest posting rates at just $45.00 per placement. Next come Guatemala ($65.00), Burkina Faso ($67.00), Micronesia ($137.00), and Pakistan ($149.00) as the five most affordable markets.
These nations have developing economies with lower purchasing power and less competitive SEO and digital marketing landscapes. The limited demand keeps prices low across the board.
How English-speaking countries compare
Ireland leads English-speaking nations with rates around $800.00 per guest post. This high cost stems from limited website availability and a strong tech company presence. Australia and the United Kingdom follow at $741.00 and $713.00 respectively.
The United States ($583.00) and Canada ($605.00) sit in the middle range. Millions of available websites create more competition in these markets. New Zealand stands out as the most budget-friendly option for English-language guest posting at $322.00 per placement—less than half of Ireland’s rates.
You should look at these geographic price differences and domain metrics together to get the most from your link building budget.
Finding the Right Price Balance for Your Guest Posting Strategy
Our analysis of over 1,000 guest posting prices across different websites revealed some eye-opening patterns that will help you invest wisely. Domain Rating is without doubt the biggest factor driving costs. Prices shoot up dramatically when sites reach the DR 70 mark. But here’s the sort of thing I love – there’s a huge difference between asking prices and what people actually pay. This gap can be 3-5 times the final price, and for DR 90+ sites, it can reach an amazing 14x difference.
The data shows that most website’s owners tend to overprice their guest posting spots at first. Smart marketers with budget constraints should think over focusing on DR 30-50 sites. These sites give you the best value without the hefty price tags of higher-authority domains. You can also find great savings by looking at less competitive niches or markets like New Zealand among English-speaking countries.
Traffic numbers are definitely important, but they don’t carry as much weight as domain authority metrics. Sites that combine good traffic (10,000+ monthly visitors) with moderate Domain Ratings often give better returns than the super-expensive DR 90+ placements. The niche you choose matters too – Web Development prices are almost three times higher than Public Service sectors.
The best approach is to mix your guest posts across different DR levels instead of putting all your money into one high-authority backlink. Remember to negotiate prices based on our findings. The big gap between asking and actual payment prices shows there’s plenty of room for negotiation in most guest posting deals.