How Many Submissions Are Required for Off-Page SEO?

Why Submission Counts Matter in Off-Page SEO?

When it comes to off-page SEO, submissions are often misunderstood. Many assume that higher numbers guarantee higher rankings, but search engines no longer reward quantity over quality. In fact, excessive, low-quality submissions can trigger spam filters and harm your site’s trustworthiness. This article breaks down the ideal number of submissions across various channels, shows how to pace them smartly, and explains how to track what actually moves the needle for your rankings.

Understanding Off-Page SEO Submissions

Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside your website to boost its authority and visibility in search engine results. Submissions are one of the oldest and most popular tactics for off-page SEO.

Common types of submissions include:

• Directory Submissions (adding your site to business directories)

• Social Bookmarking (submitting URLs to platforms like Mix, Scoop.it)

• Article Submissions (posting original content on content-sharing platforms)

• Forum Posting (engaging in niche discussions with backlinks in your profile or signature)

• Blog Commenting (adding valuable insights in blog comments with backlink to your site)

• Image/Video Submissions (uploading media with descriptions and links)

• Press Release Submissions (distributing announcements through PR websites)

A1WebDirectory:

How Many Submissions Are “Enough”?

There is no universal number of submissions that works for every website. It depends on your domain’s authority, competition in your niche, and the quality of the platforms you submit to. That said, here’s a general monthly benchmark for small-to-medium businesses starting out:

• Directory Submissions: 20–30

• Social Bookmarking: 50–100

• Article Submissions: 4–8

• Guest Posts: 2–4

• Forum/Commenting: 10–20

The key is not to overdo it. Instead of mass submissions, focus on consistent efforts across trustworthy platforms. Also, prioritize dofollow links over nofollow, but ensure your profile looks natural.

All time graph of Forbes Backlinks:

Submission Frequency & Scheduling

Search engines like Google prefer a backlink profile that grows naturally over time. Submitting too many links at once, especially on low-quality websites, can raise red flags.

Suggested monthly schedule:

• Week 1: 5 directories, 10 social bookmarks

• Week 2: 1 article submission, 5 forum comments

• Week 3: 5 social bookmarks, 1 guest post

• Week 4: 1 press release or infographic submission

Spread out submissions weekly and adjust based on what performs best. Always document your activity using a tracker.

Quality vs Quantity in Submissions

One quality backlink from a niche-relevant, high-authority site is often more valuable than 50 low-tier links. Google values relevance, trust, and editorial integrity.

Focus on:

• Platforms with high Domain Authority (DA)

• Niche-specific directories and blogs

• Websites with real user engagement

• Avoiding spammy anchor text repetition

Use tools like Moz, Semrush, SimilarWeb, or Ubersuggest to vet link sources before submitting.

Tools to Track Submission Results

Tracking your efforts ensures you’re not shooting in the dark. These tools help you assess the impact of your submission strategy:

• Google Search Console – Free and reliable

• Ahrefs – Backlink growth, referring domains, anchor text

• SEMrush – Competitor link tracking, link audits

• Ubersuggest – Simplified overview of backlinks

Monitor metrics like:

• Number of new backlinks

• Increase in referring domains

• Organic traffic impact

• Anchor text diversity

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many businesses waste time or hurt rankings by making submission-related mistakes.

Be aware of:

• Submitting to spammy or irrelevant directories

• Using the same anchor text repeatedly

• Posting duplicate articles across platforms

• Submitting low-effort comments or generic content

• Over-submitting in a short period (unnatural link spikes)

Always review Google’s link spam policies to avoid penalties.

Expert Tips for Effective Off-Page SEO

To build backlinks that actually count:

• Submit to platforms your audience already uses

• Prioritize editorial placements like guest posts or HARO links

• Combine submissions with content marketing and social media

• Use anchor text that feels natural and brand-aligned

• Be consistent—off-page SEO is a long game

A well-structured backlink profile strengthens your domain’s credibility and search visibility without triggering Google’s red flags.

Conclusion

You don’t need hundreds of submissions a month to rank well—you need thoughtful, targeted, and trustworthy ones. Focus on building sustainable authority through selective platforms and steady pacing. Smart SEO is not about quantity; it’s about impact. For further help with Off-Page SEO consider 100xGrip.