In a world full of digital content, article syndication stands as a powerful tool for spreading knowledge, increasing visibility, and driving traffic. Understood as sharing written pieces across multiple platforms, it brings benefits like network expansion and SEO enhancement.
What is article syndication?
Article syndication is a strategic method used by SEO professionals, digital marketers, bloggers, and more to expand their content's reach. The process involves republishing existing articles on various third-party websites and blogs. The primary aim is to attain broader visibility without having to create unique content continually.
It’s not a standalone tactic, but rather one component of a comprehensive content marketing and SEO strategy. These syndicated articles help to establish an online presence and can increase website traffic through backlinks. However, it’s crucial to use this strategy judiciously, as improper use can lead to duplicate content issues, and may harm the website’s SEO.
In essence, article syndication bridges the gap between content creation and distribution. By facilitating the spread of high-quality articles to diverse, high-authority web properties, it yields a range of advantages, from branding improvement and audience expansion to enhanced search engine rankings. This powerful mechanism is hence desirable for any digital marketing plan.
Why is article syndication important?
Few strategies can rival the importance of article syndication in a multi-channel content marketing plan. By offering a convenient and minimal-effort way of proliferating content, it enables brands to accomplish several marketing goals simultaneously.
Firstly, article syndication can bolster search engine optimization efforts by delivering high-quality backlinks. By publishing your articles on authority sites, you create organic backlinks to your site, which can enhance your domain’s value in the eyes of search engines. Consequently, this can improve your website’s search engine ranking and visibility.
Secondly extending your content’s reach effectively broadens your audience. This expanded reach means your brand message and thought leadership can touch corners far removed from your actual physical location. Furthermore, an article that resonates with readers on a partner website can drive them back to your site, fostering increased web traffic.
Types of article syndication
Article syndication can be classified into different types based on its execution strategy, each with its unique characteristics and purposes.
Free syndication involves offering your articles to multiple websites for free. The syndicating website does not require payment, and in return, they provide you with broader visibility and a backlink to your website. This is a resilient low-cost strategy to spread your content and accumulate backlinks.
Paid syndication requires a fee for your articles to be featured on a website. The benefits often justify the cost as these are generally high-traffic websites, translating into greater visibility for your content. Paid syndication often includes premium features like featured placement and enhanced promotion of your material.
Examples of article syndication
Medium
Medium, a popular online publishing platform, is a prime example of a site that embraces article syndication. Authors can republish their articles on Medium to reach their extensive user base, thereby gaining increased exposure and potential leads for their original website or blog.
Business 2 Community
Business 2 Community frequently features syndicated content from various business and marketing professionals. Professionals get a platform to amplify their voice, and readers get beneficial insights – a win-win situation.
LinkedIn Pulse
LinkedIn Pulse allows users to publish posts that could effectively be syndicated articles. It affords them the dual benefits of exposure to their existing LinkedIn network and the larger LinkedIn user base.
Handy tips about article syndication
Here are some actionable tips to get the most out of your article syndication efforts:
Ensure original posting
For SEO purposes, ensure that the original article is indexed by search engines before syndicating it. Google should recognize and credit your website as the original source of the article.
Choose syndication platforms wisely
Opt for reputable platforms that provide a backlink to your site. Also, consider their audience: is it the right demographic or market for your content? A well-targeted audience can lead to better engagement and conversion rates.
Track results
Following up on your syndication efforts is crucial for understanding their effectiveness. Monitor metrics like traffic, bounce rate, and conversion rate to fine-tune your strategy.
Conclusion
Article syndication serves as a low-cost, effective technique for expanding your digital footprint, increasing brand exposure, and augmenting SEO efforts. By reaching more readers, it can enhance the visibility of your content and site, creating opportunities for improved traffic and business generation. However, it’s essential to follow best practices to avoid potential duplicate content issues, ensuring success in your article syndication endeavors.
Remember that proper syndication is part of a balanced SEO and content marketing strategy. Ensure your original content is indexed first, choose your syndication platforms carefully, and monitor your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between article syndication and guest posting?
While both practices involve publishing content on external platforms, there is a fundamental difference. Guest posting refers to creating unique content for a particular site, while article syndication involves republishing content that already exists on your site on other platforms.
Can article syndication harm SEO?
If not executed correctly, article syndication can potentially harm your SEO. It’s essential to ensure search engines have indexed your original article before syndication to avoid duplicate content issues.
Is article syndication a free strategy?
While many platforms allow free syndication, some sites may charge for syndication. It depends on your chosen platforms and the reach and benefits they provide.