This list ranks the world’s top travel blogs on the basis of algorithmic authority. It attempts to include both the authority of the website and the authority of the social media accounts attached to the website.
As with all such lists, this is imperfect and only represents one way to look at the authority of a blog. Scroll down below the list to get a complete explanation of the metrics used, along with their strengths and weaknesses.
If you have a blog and would like it listed, please leave a comment with the URL of your travel blog.
If you don’t have a travel blog yet, read this guide for how to start a travel blog.
Overview of the Ranking Methodology
Figuring out the “top” travel blogs is an inherently flawed process. 20 people can look at it 20 different ways. I do not claim that this list is the be all and end all when it comes to this subject.
Why Authority? Other lists use traffic to rank sites. There is nothing wrong with that, but there are lots of ways to get traffic. Just publishing a lot of low-quality posts can build up overall traffic. Likewise, you could have an online forum which could inflate number, or you could just get a post that goes viral. Also, the only way to truly know traffic is to have voluntary participation with every single person on the list. It also doesn’t factor in social media, which is a big part of online authority today. It is a metric, but it has lots of flaws. Authority doesn’t tend to jump around a lot. Traffic can go up and down, but these metrics only have small fluctuations and take time to raise or lower.
Why These Three Metrics? To create a list like this, I needed metrics which were publically available, used a similar scale, but also measured different things. I felt that these three metrics while having some overlap, were all different yet measured important aspects of authority. Also, I am aware of the weaknesses of all the metrics, but they are weak in different ways, and I think they mostly cancel each other out when taken together.
Why Domain Authority? Moz’s Domain Authority has become a staple metric for the industry, so using it made sense. It is on a 100 point scale like the other metrics. Sites which have been around longer, with more links tend to score higher. While it is possible to game it, you can only game it so far as it is on a logarithmic scale. It captures both link quantity and quality.
Why Klout? Klout has been maligned over the years and for good reason. It is impossible to try and capture everything social in one number. Nonetheless, while it isn’t precise, it is relatively accurate in the broadest sense. You can’t really make a difference between someone with a 61 vs a 62, but there is a difference between a 60 and a 40. Moreover, the weaknesses of Klout are not the same as the weaknesses of the other metrics. Klout is also on a 100 point scale like the other metrics which makes it useful. While the average user has a higher Klout score than with the other 2 metrics, it also is trying to capture more, which I think makes up for that fact.
Why Trust Flow? Trust Flow is a metric from Majestic.com. It is probably the least well known of the three metrics I use, but it is also the most enlightening. It is a measure of the quality of links to a website. You will notice that the majority of websites only have a Trust Flow number in the teens or twenties, even though they have a Domain Authority much higher. This is because they don’t have many links beyond the blogosphere. A high Trust Flow number represents links from mainstream media outlets and other large websites, which is exactly the sort of authority which this list is trying to capture. (Note: I am using DOMAIN Trust Flow, not URL Trust Flow. They are different numbers.)
Why isn’t my site listed? This is the first iteration. Over time more sites will be listed. I started with sites on other top travel blog lists and sites with a Domain Authority over 40. There were also a few sites which didn’t have Klout scores. I kept them off the list rather than rank them with a zero. There were 3 sites with rather high domain authorities which didn’t have Klout scores which would have ranked high. If you would like your site listed, please contact me.
Rules
- Your site must be hosted under its own domain.
- A Klout profile can only be associated with one website.
- Sites must be owned by the content creator(s). Corporate own sites are not included.
What are the weaknesses of this list? Each of the individual metrics has weaknesses which are well known. This list also only captures algorithmic authority and not real world authority. People like Lee Abbamonte, Keith Jenkins, and Shannon O’Donnell who do public speaking and media appearances do not have that authority reflected in this list. It should not be taken as any more than it is.
Does the list have a bias? Yes. It tends to be biased towards sites which have been around a while. I have no problem with this bias as time and experience are important parts of what constitutes authority. The longer you’ve been around, the more likely to get high-quality links and build a social media following.
What are the strengths of this list? It is hard to game all three of these metrics. The sites near the top of the list have been around for the better part of a decade. I don’t see how someone could jump into the top 10 after blogging for a year unless they were a celebrity when they started.
How often will this list be updated? Periodically. A least once a quarter, but possibly more. Domain Authority can be updated every few weeks. Trust Flow can change daily. This data on the list should only be considered a snapshot and not live data.
What is SATW? A checkbox indicates that the blogger is a member of SATW.
Hi Gary, Could you please consider adding my blog to the list – http://www.fairytalestudios.in
You don’t seem to have a Klout score
Hi Gary,
Would you consider mine? DA34, PA 44.
Belaroundtheworld.com
Added
Hi Gary,
Local traveler and explorer based here in Jamaica. I think it would be a great previlige to be added to your list. DR 36. Site jamaicahotelreview.com
Hi! I was wondering if I could be added to the list: boardingforchynna.com
You don’t appear to have a klout or twitter account.
Hey Gary,
I suspect we’ll be near the bottom of the list, but hey you gotta start somewhere!
By the way, it looks like you haven’t been to Colombia yet. If you do and are looking for tips feel free to give us a shout.
Our blog’s https://theunconventionalroute.com/
You don’t appear to have a klout or twitter account.
Such a nice and helpful list of travel blogs which help me a lot. Thank you so much for this.
Hey Gary,
would also be nice to be part of your list:
DA 25
TF 21
Klout ?
total …
Best regards
Michael
added
Hello, kindly add my blog: http://ghoomakad.in
DA- 16 PA-28
added
Hi,
Kindly consider my blog. http://www.harstuff-travel.org
DA: 20
PA: 30
Added
Would be glad if you add my blog singhruby.com to the list
DA 23
PA 34
Added
Hey Gary, would be awesome if you added my travel blog: http://www.ourvagabondstories.com
Thanks a bunch!
Added
hey Gary, my Klout score is actually 55, it wasn’t updated back then. Could you please update?
updated
Hi there Gary,
Amazing job on the article! I would love to be added as well if possible:
Victorstravels.com
Trust flow: 10
DA: 26
Klout: 42
Total: 78
That would get me somewhere around nr 481.
Thanks!
Victor
added
Hi there! I was wondering if you could add my travel blog as well: http://www.thirstyjourneys.com I have a Klout rating of 43. Thanks!
added
Hi Gary. Since it seems to be ok to ask for consideration, I will as well.
IrelandFamilyVacations.com
Majestic Trust Flow- 35
Klout – 62
MozDA – 33
Total- 130
Thanks for considering!
added
Thanks for adding! I should have also mentioned I am a member of SATW. Thanks again for all your help!
Fixed
Hi Gary.
Can you add https://excitedtraveler.com on the list?
Thank you. :)
That doesn’t really look like a travel blog.
I’d love to see my site (www.aussieontheroad.com) and my fiancee’s site (www.adventuresaroundasia.com) listed!
added
Would love to be added.
https://frugalfirstclasstravel.com
Around since 2012
Added
Hi!
I would like to join join :) our blog is Mytanfeet.com
Thanks !
added
Hi Gary! Would you add http://www.WhatBoundariesTravel.com to your list? Thank you!
added
Hi Gary… can you add http://www.farflungtravels.com ?
Added
Hi Gary, wow, great job. I would love to know the ranking of my blog in your list. If you don’t mind, please add me: https://www.brittneys.de/
Thx, Britta
Done
Hi!
Would be great if you coult my travel blog, too!
https://www.erkunde-die-welt.de
Klout: 57
DA: 38
Trust: ?
Thank you!!
Cheers,
Michael
Done
Awesome list Gary!
If you update it and can add us, it’d be wonderful :)
aworldtotravel.com
Thanks!
Done
Hi Gary, Thanks for maintaining this list. I appreciate it must be a lot of work. My blog Happinessandthings.com is missing :)
Added
Hi Gary,
Thanks for undertaking this ambition list! Would love to be added:
Trust score 34
DA 43.27
Klout 53
PA 51.83
Total 129.1
SATW Member – YES
I meant ambitious but I guess ambition fits, too:-)
added
Hi Gary – Would love to have you include my blog in your list. Traveling with Sweeney has been around since 2010 and I have to admit I was disappointed that I wasn’t on your radar. My rankings have actually been quite a bit higher, but are still respectable and I’m working to get those back up. Thanks very much!
DA = 39
Klout = 60
Trust Flow = 24
Added
Thanks for the add and putting all of this together, Gary. Just a note — my Trust Flow is 24, not 18. Or was I using the wrong Majestic number?
You are looking at URL Trust Flow, not Domain Trust Flow.
Hi Gary,
When do you find the time to do these statistics?
Anyway, it sounds like a good way to put some order in all these rankings that everybody chases. Next time you work on the list please add my blog too hiclassmag.com.
Meanwhile keep on tweeting. You have great images
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I just came across this listing — very unique algorithm (although I’m not a fan of MOZ as it never pulls in my non-domain backlinks, oh well). I like this list overall, unique angle. I hadn’t heard of Majestic before, so that was a bonus.
Please feel free to add my Luxury Disney Travel Blog to the list.
MikeBelobradic.com
TrustFlow=24
Moz DA=15
Klout=54
Added
Hi Gary,
Would love to be a part of your list! Here are my blog’s scores
DA- 13
Klout – 43
Trust Flow – 12
This truly is a wonderful opportunity for growing bloggers. Thank you. :)
Hi Gary
Nice list. May I request you to check my site and consider it to be added in your list
My site is http://www.anasiantraveller.com
DA : 21
Klout : 56
Trust Flow 7
added
Hi Gary. Quite a numerical way to establish influence of bloggers and their social audience. I am quite new to all of these sites, but its helped me get some perspective, as I have been pretty new on this (18 months)
Could you please add me to the list
My scores are as follows for my url (www.katchutravels.com)
Majestic- 22
Klout- 40
MOZ DA-17
Total -79
Added
Great list! It’s such a tricky area to what out what metrics are relevant and I’m not a big fan of Rise rankings (that are heavily Twitter based), so appreciate your list.
Would love it if you could add my blog: Travelnuity.com (currently 14 + 31 + 55 = 100). Thanks!
Added
Hi Gary,
I’d love to submit our site, Roamancing.com, for the next time you update this list. Currently the score we are sitting at is: trust flow 10 + domain authority 32 + klout 60 = 102.
Thanks so much!
Erica
Added
Thanks Gary. Most appreciated.
Hi again, do you regularly move people around the list based on their scores? Mine just jumped quite a bit. I was on your list but I don’t see it anymore. http://www.travelingjerseygirl.com
Things have been moving just because I’ve been adding more sites. You are still on the list.
Hey, Gary, a lot of efforts putting all that info in one piece but the result is great. Would you consider adding LittleBigTraveler.com as well (DA: 22, K61, TF:4).
Thanks!
Gary, this is a great resource. I am a new blogger and this is all new info for me. Do you have any other articles that dig deeper into using these scoring sites? Either that you have written or that you could recommend. Also, is there any way to search your list by site name rather than just ranking?
Thank you for all the work you put into this
Interesting list, though a few inclusions made me laugh. Yes, laugh. But I guess objective analysis does behave strangely sometimes. Do read some the travel articles on my blog sometime please.
Great list! I would love to be included one of this days if my blog ever ranks high enough :)
– Ashley @ Wanderdolls
Thanks for including World in Paris on your list for Paris :-) Actually this is a cool blog directory, with some great names to check from time to time for inspiration.
I have been ignoring these numbers for last 10 years of my blogging but gave it a try today and numbers for http://www.Travellingcamera.com are not bad :)
6+26+66 = 98
That’s certainly a good way to retrospect and see what could be improved.
Fascinating study Gaz and love the objective way you assess the pros and cons.
Just Started out in July’17
Thanks Gary – this is fascinating reading. Can you tell me what the SATW column means? I’m intrigued!
If they are a member of the Society of American Travel Writers
http://satw.org/
Gary, my site Breathedreamgo is often left off top travel blog lists, which has always been a puzzle to me because I have high DA, good traffic, 8+ years, strong social media following, awards … and it’s very strong in terms of niche authority (for travel in India). On your list, I’m in the top 50. That is cool. Thanks.
Hey Gary, thanks very much for including Travel With Bender :)
Great list and interesting approach, Gary. Whenever you’ll update would love to be included: TF 11 + DA 46 + K 54 = 111.
Thank you!
Thank you for including A Luxury Travel Blog in the top 10, Gary… we just made it! ?
Very cool! I didn’t even know about a couple of these metrics, so it was a pleasant surprise to find our website, GetawayMavens.com, totaling 111. Please consider including us when you run your next update.
Thanks for including me, Gary. I like that you are transparent and share the weight and metrics of how you ranked the bloggers. Is it perfect? No, but it gives us an indication and allows us to compare apple to apples.
Now I guess I’ll head over to Klout and try to reconnect some of my accounts, ha ;-)
Hi Gary, I’d also like to be considered: DA: 44, Klout: 62 Trust Flow: 23 = 129
Awesome! Very happy to see my blog One Girl One World on this list! Years of hard work does pay off. Hoping to inch higher and higher as the years go by. Thanks Gary!
Thanks for sharing, Gary! I’m bookmarking this so I can explore these sites. There are many I wasn’t familiar with. I’m also excited to see TheLocalTourist would be up there in the top 20! (TrustFlow 42, DA 43, Klout 59).
Thank you for adding TLT!!! I wasn’t expecting that, and I truly appreciate it!
Hey Gary
Interesting list. It’s useful to get an indication and ranking of the travel blogs out there.
Here are our scores for your next update
Trust 21, Da 36, Clout 55 – Total 112 – https://globalhelpswap.com
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Awesome List Gary! My site is DA 39, Klout 61, Trust Flow 25 = total 125, hope it can be added to the list! Nienke
Hey Gary, for future consideration –
JustaPack.com
Klout – 68
DA – 37
Trust – 14 apparently, unless im looking at it wrong.
Total – 119
Cheers!
Opps, trust score is 19, so total would be 124 =)
Hi Gary. My blog is Globalgaz.com. 18,33, 65
Thanks for putting this together Gary and for being so transparent with how it is calculated. I live being able to see and work out where I would rank in the list ;-)
Gary, you’re kidding yourself if you think Klout or Domain Authority matter…. Twitter is dead and pretty much no one, but those with a Twitter following are even considering it these days. That’s the highest impact on “Klout.” Unless you’re living under a rock you know Youtube, Instagram, and a little bit of Facebook carry the weight these days. And as far as Domain Authority it’s pretty easy to manipulate and just a third party number.
OK. Get a domain authority of 70 and I’ll believe you.
Twitter is not the highest impact to Klout anymore.
Hi, As someone just starting out, this was fascinating to read! Many thanks!
Congrats on being ranked number 2! I think alittleadrift should be ranked right up there with you! Her blog is fabulous!