Guest Posting vs Directory Submission: Which Builds Backlinks Faster?

Both build backlinks, but they solve different problems on very different timelines. Neither replaces the other — most solid strategies use both, just in different proportions depending on your stage.

Speed

Directory submission wins decisively. A directory listing can go live within days. A guest post requires finding a relevant site, pitching, writing to their standards, and waiting for publication — often 4–8 weeks per post.

Cost (in time or money)

Directory submission is cheaper per link, especially at volume. Guest posting costs more per link — either your time writing genuinely good content, or a fee if you're paying for placement (approach paid guest posts carefully; many violate search engine guidelines).

Authority per link

Guest posts generally win here — a well-placed guest post on a relevant, respected site in your niche typically carries more weight than a single directory listing, since it's editorial rather than a database entry.

Risk

Both are low-risk when done properly. Directory submission risk comes from volume and irrelevance (submitting everywhere indiscriminately); guest post risk comes from low-quality "guest post for a fee" networks that search engines actively target.

Which should you prioritise?

See our full backlink strategy guide for how both fit into a complete plan.

Frequently asked questions

Should I do directory submission or guest posting first?

Directory submission first for most new sites — it builds a foundation quickly, giving guest posting efforts something to build on rather than starting from zero.

Is guest posting worth it if I can only do one?

For a brand-new site, directory submission usually delivers more value faster; guest posting becomes more worthwhile once you have some existing authority to leverage in outreach.