Publisher Guides

Article vs Guest Post: Order Types Explained

Understand the difference between article vs guest post order types on Serpverse, when to use each, and how to configure accepted types as a publisher.

Last updated March 24, 2026·5 min read

Two Order Types, Two Workflows

Serpverse supports two content order types: Guest Post and Article. The fundamental difference is who writes the content. Understanding how each works helps publishers set accurate expectations, deliver efficiently, and configure their listings to attract the right buyers.

Guest Post Orders

In a Guest Post order, the buyer provides the finished article. The publisher's responsibility is to review the content, publish it on their website, and place the buyer's backlink as specified.

Publisher Workflow for Guest Posts

1. Receive the order — the buyer's article, target URL, and anchor text are included in the order details
2. Review the content — check that the article meets your website guidelines in terms of quality, topic relevance, and formatting
3. Accept or decline — accept if the content fits your site, or decline with a reason if it does not
4. Publish — upload the article to your site with the buyer's backlink placed contextually
5. Submit for review — provide the live URL so the buyer can verify the placement

When Buyers Choose Guest Posts

Buyers typically select this type when they want full control over the article's messaging, keyword density, and tone. They may have an in-house content team or a preferred writing style that matches their brand voice.

Article Orders

In an Article order, the publisher writes the article based on the buyer's brief. This gives the publisher creative control while meeting the buyer's link building objectives.

Publisher Workflow for Articles

1. Receive the order — the buyer provides a topic, target URL, anchor text, and a content brief with any keyword or tone preferences
2. Accept or decline — evaluate whether the topic fits your site and whether you can deliver the requested content
3. Write the article — create original content following the buyer's brief, naturally integrating the backlink with the specified anchor text
4. Publish — post the completed article on your site
5. Submit for review — share the live URL for buyer verification

When Buyers Choose Articles

Buyers choose this type when they want content that sounds native to the publisher's site, when they lack writing resources, or when they trust the publisher's editorial expertise. Article orders are also common when the buyer targets a niche they are less familiar with.

Side-by-Side Comparison

How Publishers Configure Accepted Types

You control which order types your listing accepts from your Listing Settings page. The options are:

• Guest Post only — you only accept pre-written content from buyers
• Article only — you only accept orders where you write the content
• Both — buyers can choose either type when ordering

Setting Your Prices Per Type

Each order type can have its own price. Article orders typically command a higher rate because they include writing effort on top of the publication.

When setting prices, factor in:

• Your writing time for Article orders — research, drafting, editing
• Content review time for Guest Post orders — reading, formatting, publishing
• Your site's authority and traffic — higher-value sites justify higher rates

See the pricing guide for detailed strategies on setting competitive rates.

Content Quality Expectations

Regardless of order type, the published content must meet Serpverse's platform standards:

• Original content — no plagiarism, no content spinning
• Minimum word count — as stated in your listing requirements
• Natural backlink integration — links placed contextually within the article body, not in footers or author bios
• Proper formatting — headings, paragraphs, and images formatted cleanly

For Guest Post orders, you may decline content that does not meet your editorial standards. For Article orders, buyers may request revisions if the content does not match their brief.

Recommendations for New Publishers

Start with Guest Posts if writing is not your strength. Guest Post orders require less effort per order since the buyer handles content creation. This lets you build your reputation and review history while focusing on your publishing workflow.

Add Article orders when you are ready. Once you are comfortable with the platform and have a few completed orders, enabling Article orders opens a larger buyer pool and commands higher rates.

Set clear content guidelines. Whether you accept Guest Posts, Articles, or both, detailed listing guidelines reduce back-and-forth and set buyers' expectations upfront. Specify preferred topics, word count ranges, formatting requirements, and any topics you will not cover.

How Order Type Affects the Review Process

The 72-hour review window applies equally to both order types, but buyers evaluate them differently:

• Guest Post reviews focus on whether the content was published as submitted and whether the backlink is correctly placed
• Article reviews additionally evaluate writing quality, topic alignment, and adherence to the content brief

Publishers who consistently deliver quality work across both types earn higher ratings, which drives more orders. Check how content quality influences buyer decisions for context on what buyers prioritize.