Forbes discontinued open guest posting years ago. They now operate a Contributors Network where writers must apply and be vetted by Forbes editors. You need either an established media presence, verifiable expertise in your field, or a sponsoring Forbes editor who vouches for your work. Most applications get rejected. The realistic paths are limited. First, you can pitch story ideas to Forbes staff writers covering your industry and offer yourself as a quoted source. If you provide valuable insights repeatedly, some writers develop ongoing relationships. Second, you can target Forbes Council programs (Forbes Business Council, Forbes Technology Council, etc.), which are paid memberships ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 USD annually. These let you publish articles but carry a "Forbes Councils Member" disclosure tag that readers recognize as paid placement. The third option is targeting forbes.com's international editions or vertical publications, which sometimes have slightly lower barriers, though still strict. Forbes Monaco, Forbes Africa, and similar editions operate semi-independently. Why this matters for link building: A Forbes backlink carries strong domain authority, but Google's algorithms have adapted. Links from obvious contributor content or Forbes Councils posts pass less equity than editorial mentions. If your goal is purely SEO value, one editorial mention in a trade publication genuinely covering your work often outperforms a Forbes Council byline. At Ottawa SEO, we rarely recommend chasing Forbes links unless a client legitimately has newsworthy developments that Forbes staff would cover independently. The time and cost investment usually delivers better ROI when allocated to industry-specific publications where you can build genuine editor relationships. If you run a SaaS company, getting covered in TechCrunch, VentureBeat, or G2's blog through actual news hooks typically moves the needle more than a Forbes Council membership. Focus on editorial coverage you earn rather than contributor platforms you pay for or game your way into.