Free backlink sites list: 1,964 places to get a link
A maintained list of 1,964 legitimate backlink sites: directories, profile creation sites, guest posting sites, launch platforms, registries and marketplaces. 1,628 are free or have a free tier, 44 usually give a dofollow link, and 781 have an estimated DA of 70 or more. Every row shows authority, link type, cost and effort, and links straight to the submit page.
- 1,964
- Opportunities
- 1,628
- Free or freemium
- 781
- Est. DA 70+
- 208
- Quick wins
All filters2
The table is wider than the screen — swipe it sideways for cost, effort and the preparation notes.
| # | Impact (sorted) | Site — sort by this | Est. DA — sort by this | Link | Domain | Type | Cost | Effort — sort by this | Priority | Status | What to prepare | Rules / caveat | Checked | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95 | Read the Docs | 90 | Nofollow | readthedocs.org | Developer registries | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Do first | Verified live | Import public your tool developer documentation, add the build config and expose versioned, searchable docs with canonical project links. | Community hosting expects a public repository and genuine documentation; configure canonical URLs to avoid duplicate-content issues. | Official Read the Docs import guide checked 2026-07-30 | Open Read the Docs submit page (new tab)Read the Docs details |
| 2 | 81 | Anaconda.org | 75 | Nofollow | anaconda.org | Developer registries | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Verified live | Build and upload a real conda package with homepage, documentation, source and license metadata. | Use anaconda-client and maintain valid packages; notebook and environment uploads are no longer supported. | Official Anaconda.org docs and current client page checked 2026-07-30 | Open Anaconda.org submit page (new tab)Anaconda.org details |
| 3 | 65 | SourceHut | 50 | Link type unknown | sourcehut.org | Developer registries | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Live, conditional | Host a useful open-source your tool SDK, CLI or example project with documentation and a canonical homepage link. | A real maintained open-source artifact is required; no empty promotional repository. | 2026-08-05 | Open SourceHut submit page (new tab)SourceHut details |
| 4 | 43 | Trusted Introducer | 45 | Link type unknown | trusted-introducer.org | Developer registries | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Verified live | List an operational CSIRT, CERT, SOC, ISAC or PSIRT after securing sponsors and passing the community-vote process. | Operational security team only; typical listing review and vote takes 4–5 weeks. | 2026-08-05 — https://www.trusted-introducer.org/trusted-introducer/processes/listing/ | Open Trusted Introducer submit page (new tab)Trusted Introducer details |
How to build backlinks with this list
Four steps that work for a new site, a SaaS or a side project. No paid link packages, nothing that risks a penalty.
Get the basics right first
Before submitting anywhere, have a one-line description, a 150-word description, a square logo and two or three screenshots ready. Every form asks for some mix of these.
Claim profiles and free listings
Start with the free, quick rows: profile creation sites and free directories. They are one form each and build the entity signals search engines use to understand who you are.
Go after a few strong links
Then pick a handful of high DA and dofollow sites that fit your niche, and write proper guest posts or launch posts for them. Ten relevant links beat a hundred random ones.
Track and keep it clean
Note where you submitted and when. Recheck after a month, update stale descriptions, and never pay for bulk link packages: they put the whole site at risk.
Behind the list
A link opportunity is not a link.
Every row here starts as a line in a sheet, gets normalised into one of 16 groups, scored for cost, effort and impact, and written up with the steps to actually submit. The floor below represents that pipeline.
Open the sheet viewAn illustration of the AltF Backlinks floor: opportunities sourced at the back, vetted for cost and effort by the engineering pod, written up for outreach by the design pod, then tracked to placement along a line.
Backlink sites by category
One-shot launches where timing and preparation decide the outcome.
Publications that accept contributed articles. Slow and editorial, but the links are earned.
Fast-growing listings specifically for AI-powered tools.
Extension, plugin and integration stores. Real review processes, real distribution.
Startup listings, beta lists and founder media.
General tool and software catalogues with real search traffic.
B2B review sites. Slow to approve, strong once live.
Package, image and docs hosting that carries real authority.
Showcases judged on craft. A good screenshot matters more than copy.
Write once, link back. Editorial standards vary widely.
Get quoted or distribute a release. Slower, higher ceiling.
Company and local listings. Unglamorous, consistently indexed.
Owned pages you control: company, founder, knowledge-panel entities.
Answer real questions. Never drop a bare link.
Brand surface and referral traffic more than link equity.
Everything that does not fit the buckets above.