Write for us
Guest post guidelines
Share what you have learned with developers who read DEV Talk. Here is what we publish, how we review it and how links and sponsored articles work.
Review time
1–2 working days
Length
1,000+ words
Outbound links
Up to 2, relevant only
Originality
Unpublished, your own work
Accepted topics
Practical articles for working developers. Not sure your idea fits? Mention it when you apply.
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Laravel and PHP
Eloquent, queues, testing, packages, performance, upgrades.
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JavaScript and TypeScript
React, Vue, Node.js, tooling, modern browser APIs.
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APIs and backend
REST, authentication, caching, background jobs, architecture.
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Databases
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, query tuning, schema design.
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DevOps and hosting
Docker, Linux, CI/CD, cPanel, VPS and cloud deployments.
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Security
Secure coding, OWASP issues and how to fix them, hardening.
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Careers
Interviews, freelancing, first jobs, working in tech teams.
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Developer tools
Git, editors, debugging, productivity for developers.
Length and originality
- At least 1,000 words of useful content. Tutorials usually need more; depth matters more than length.
- Original and unpublished: not on your blog, Medium, dev.to or anywhere else, and not rewritten from another article.
- Your own experience and your own words. Tools for grammar are fine; AI-generated or spun text is declined.
- Working, tested code in code blocks, with the versions you used (for example Laravel 12, PHP 8.3).
- Clear structure: an introduction, headings for each step, and a short conclusion.
- Images you made or are free to use (with credit). Screenshots should be readable and not show private data.
- Accurate and up to date. If something is deprecated, say so and show the current way.
What we decline
- Promotional articles in a guest post: product pitches, "top 10 tools" lists that exist to place links, press releases. (These can be sponsored articles.)
- Articles written mainly to get a backlink, or with keyword-stuffed anchor text.
- Gambling, crypto schemes, adult content, pirated software, hacking for harm, or anything illegal.
- Copied, AI-spun or previously published content.
- Thin posts: a few paragraphs that repeat the documentation without adding experience.
External link policy
Links must help the reader. Up to 2 links to other sites per article, placed where they are relevant, with plain descriptive anchor text. Links to official documentation (PHP, Laravel, MDN, GitHub and similar) don't count towards the limit.
Following Google's rules on links, links to other sites in guest posts are marked rel="nofollow ugc" and links in sponsored articles rel="sponsored". This is done automatically. We do not sell or exchange followed links, so please don't ask.
Affiliate links, link shorteners, and links to pages that ask readers for payment or personal data are removed.
Editorial review
Every article is reviewed before it is published. Review usually takes 1–2 working days.
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1. Apply or submit
New writers apply once with "Become an author". Existing authors write and submit from their dashboard.
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2. Editorial review
An editor checks accuracy, originality, code, links and readability. Every article is reviewed, sponsored ones too.
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3. Changes if needed
If something needs fixing, the article comes back to your drafts with a note from the editor (by email and in the editor). Make the changes and submit it again. Small edits (typos, headings, formatting) we may make ourselves.
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4. Approved and published
Nothing goes live before it is approved. You get an email when your article is published.
We may edit titles, headings and formatting, add internal links and choose the publish date. We will not change your meaning without asking you.
Free guest posts vs sponsored articles
| Topic | Free guest post | Sponsored article |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid, see the rates on Advertise with us |
| Who writes it | You | You, or our team for an extra fee |
| Promotion | Not allowed: the article must stand on its own | Allowed: your product or service, presented honestly |
| Label | Your byline and author page | Clearly marked "Sponsored" |
| Links to other sites | Up to 2, rel="nofollow ugc" | Agreed links, rel="sponsored" |
| Editorial review | Yes | Yes, same quality standards |
| Stays online | Permanently | Permanently, unless agreed otherwise |
Questions
Do you pay for guest posts?
No. Free guest posts are unpaid. You get a byline, your own author page with your bio and social links, and your article in front of developers who read DEV Talk.
Will my links be followed?
Links to other sites in guest posts get rel="nofollow ugc", and links in sponsored articles get rel="sponsored", as Google requires. Links to official documentation stay as they are. We never sell followed links.
Can I use AI to write my article?
You can use tools to check grammar or brainstorm, but the article must be your own experience and your own words. Articles that read as AI-generated, spun or copied are declined.
Can I publish the same article somewhere else?
Only articles that have not been published anywhere else are accepted. After it is live here, you may share a short summary that links to it.
How long does the review take?
Usually 1–2 working days. If your article needs changes, the editor tells you what to fix before it is published.
What is the difference between a guest post and a sponsored article?
A guest post is free and must be useful on its own, without promotion. A sponsored article is paid, may present your product or service, and is clearly labelled as sponsored.