I have some guest authors that seem to want to promote another URL besides their blog. Almost like they are SEO'ing for a client or something. I have a writer that has a link to their site (an online marketing site) but has links to what appears to be a client selling something (call them widgets) in the byline at the end of the article. Should I allow this? My initial thought is 'no' that the point of the guest authoring opportunity is to promote ones own blog, not funnel traffic to a client. Will this type of linking hurt my link credibility or page rank in any way? Is this considered an affiliate link? What is the general position on this sort of thing?
yes sir, you should ask your guest author to remove those links because it will hurt your site ranking, PR . If you are paying to your guest blogger, then you should ask him or her to remove those links. If you are not paying them for these post then the guest author has right to put those links. thanks
This is another aspect to consider...the page they are linking to, is it relevant to the content and subject matter of the article and your site? If it is, then google normally sees that as a resource the article is providing and can add to your authority. if it is an in content text link visitors normally read over them. In content text links are normally used to gain relevancy and authority in a particular matter. At the same time I agree with welzap, if you are paying for the content then a link to another site is a bit unfair, unless it's a link to another page on your site OR you want to add the link to provide a relevant resource for your visitor. good luck!