How to Look Up Guest Post Opportunities on Ahrefs (Step-by-Step Guide)

Last Updated on 05/11/2025

If you’re trying to scale your SEO strategy, build authority, and earn high-quality backlinks, guest posting should already be on your radar. But here’s the big question most marketers ask:

How do you find guest post opportunities without spending hours digging through Google results?

That’s where Ahrefs becomes your best friend.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to look up guest post opportunities on Ahrefs, step by step. You’ll learn how to use filters, operators, and competitor analysis to uncover real sites that accept guest posts, not dead links or spammy content farms.

If you want to land authoritative placements and rank faster, stick around.

Why Use Ahrefs to Find Guest Post Opportunities?

There are plenty of ways to find guest blogging opportunities, Twitter (X), niche communities, cold outreach, but Ahrefs gives you something other platforms can’t:

Massive list of link-worthy websites in your niche
SEO metrics to filter bad or spammy sites
Competitor backlink intelligence (steal their best placements!)
Keyword, topical, and domain filters
Export data to build outreach lists fast

In simple terms:
Ahrefs helps you find REAL sites that already link to similar content, so you’re pitching places most likely to say yes.

How to Look Up Guest Post Opps on Ahrefs (The Smart Way)

Let’s break down the process in plain English.

Step 1: Identify Competitors in Your Niche

Before searching links, you need to know who you’re competing against.

Open Ahrefs -> Site Explorer

Enter a competitor’s domain, for example:

• backlinko.com
• searchenginejournal.com
• neilpatel.com
• Or your niche competitor (example: fitness → nerdfitness.com)

Then note:

• DR (Domain Rating)
• Traffic numbers
• Top content pages

You want competitors with a similar audience and content type, not huge enterprise sites.

Pro Tip:
If you’re new to the field, analyze websites with a DR of 30-70 to find more realistic targets

Step 2: Use Backlink Profile Filter for Guest Posts

Still in Site Explorer, navigate to:

Backlinks -> Referring Domains

Now, apply filters to find sites that link to your competitor due to guest content.

In the search bar, use keywords like:

"guest post"
"guest writer"
"guest author"
"contributed by"
"written for"

This reveals referring domains that published guest contributions.

Step 3: Use Ahrefs Content Explorer to Find Guest Post Sites

Content Explorer is a goldmine for identifying guest post opportunities others miss.

Go to:

Content Explorer -> Search bar

Enter this query:

"write for us" AND {your niche keyword}

Example:

"write for us" AND fitness
"guest post" AND marketing
"contribute" AND travel

Apply filters:

• Domain Rating 20–80
• Website traffic >500/month
• Exclude homepages
• One article per domain (avoid duplicates)

Boom, a curated list of websites that accept submissions.

Step 4: Use Advanced Search Operators in Ahrefs

For more precision, try advanced queries like:

"guest post" AND SEO
intitle:"write for us" AND parenting
inurl:guest-post + SaaS
inurl:contribute + health

These mimic Google footprint searches, but Ahrefs returns higher-authority results faster.

Step 5: Spy on Competitor Guest Posts

This is where results explode.

Go to Site Explorer → Backlinks or Referring domains

Filter anchors like:

guest post
guest author
guest contribution

Also check:

Referring Page -> Mentions competitor as author

If your competitor wrote there, it’s already proven, they accept contributors.

Step 6: Check Link Quality Before Pitching

Not all guest post sites are equal. Avoid spammy networks!

Check:

• DR (Domain Rating)
• Organic traffic trend (not declining)
• Real content (not AI spam)
• Niche relevance
• Avoid casino, adult, crypto unless niche-relevant
• Avoid sites selling obvious guest post links publicly

If a site looks shady? Skip it. Your rankings depend on link quality.

Step 7: Export Your Prospect List

Inside Ahrefs, click:

Export -> CSV

You’ll get:

• URLs
• Titles
• Domain metrics
• Link details

Clean the list in Google Sheets or Excel.

Add outreach fields:

Website	Contact Name	Email	Notes	Status

Now you’re ready to pitch like a pro.

Outreach Tips for Guest Posting Success

Finding opportunities is only half the battle; the pitch is everything.

Here’s a simple outreach template:

Guest Post Outreach Script

Subject: Guest post idea for {{SiteName}}

Hi {{Name}},

I’ve been reading {{SiteName}} and really enjoyed your recent article on {{Topic}}.

I’d love to contribute a fresh, value-packed post for your audience. Here are a few topic ideas:

• {{Proposed Topic 1}}
• {{Proposed Topic 2}}
• {{Proposed Topic 3}}

A few of my published pieces for reference:

• {{Portfolio Link 1}}
• {{Portfolio Link 2}}

Let me know if you’re currently accepting contributors; I’d be happy to collaborate!

Thanks,
{{Your Name}}

Pro Outreach Tips

Personalize each email
Pitch 3–5 relevant topics
Include writing samples
Follow up after 3–5 days
Offer value first, not links

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Ahrefs for Guest Posts

Be careful with:

Only targeting high-DR sites (balance is better)
Ignoring niche relevance
Buying links disguised as guest posts
Mass emailing without personalization
Spinning content, real expertise wins

Guest posting is about building relationships, not link spamming.

Bonus: Other Ways to Find Guest Post Opportunities

Even though Ahrefs is powerful, combine these for unstoppable results:

• Google search footprints
• Facebook niche groups
• LinkedIn networking
• Reddit communities
• Twitter/X advanced search
• HARO & journalist platforms
• Manual competitor content research

A diversified approach = faster growth.

Write a guest post for Marketing Lad

Final Thoughts

Learning how to research guest post opportunities on Ahrefs gives you a significant SEO edge. Instead of random pitching, target websites that are already publishing in your niche and often accept contributors.

Quick Recap:

• Use Site Explorer for competitor guest links
• Use Content Explorer with keywords & operators
• Filter for DR 20–80 + real traffic
• Export list and run smart outreach
• Avoid spam, build relationships

Consistent guest posting is how you:

Build authority
Grow your brand
Earn powerful backlinks
Rank faster on Google

Now that you know the process, it’s time to secure those placements.

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