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 | 85 | Black Hat Arsenal | 80 | Link type unknown | blackhat.com | Software directories | Paid | Involved | Do first | Not submitted | Prepare a focused open-source defensive tool with English documentation, reproducible demos, and a technical presenter, then submit to the next relevant Arsenal Call for Tools. | Arsenal is selected by a review board and demonstrations must focus on the submitted open-source tool. Product pitches, upsells, unrelated company branding, and closed-source marketing demos are prohibited. Europe 2026 submissions closed 2026-07-19. | 2026-08-03 | Open Black Hat Arsenal submit page (new tab)Black Hat Arsenal details |
| 2 | 85 | TechnologyAdvice | 70 | Link type unknown | technologyadvice.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Involved | Do first | Not submitted | Apply for the free Basic profile with a current website, clear business value, category, pricing, and authentic reviews. | Must be business-use software that fits an established category and has a clear value proposition; editorial acceptance is discretionary. | 2026-08-03 | Open TechnologyAdvice submit page (new tab)TechnologyAdvice details |
| 3 | 71 | Codrops | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | tympanus.net | Design galleries | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Pitch a crafted, original interactive tutorial or demo about client-side privacy visualization, inclusive motion, or accessible creative tooling, with source and a working demo. | Codrops seeks fresh ideas and high-quality work for web professionals; the editorial and visual craft bar is high. Use a real author identity and pitch original teaching value, not a promotional guest post. | 2026-08-03 | Open Codrops submit page (new tab)Codrops details |
| 4 | 71 | EIN Presswire | 75 | Nofollow | einpresswire.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Publish a genuinely newsworthy your tool launch, major privacy-tool release, original data report, or partnership with one contextual site link. | Account verification and editorial review apply; pickup, indexing, and link attributes vary, so this is not guaranteed earned coverage. | https://www.einpresswire.com/how-it-works | Open EIN Presswire submit page (new tab)EIN Presswire details |
| 5 | 71 | Nullcon | 55 | Link type unknown | nullcon.net | Review platforms | Paid | Involved | High | Not submitted | Develop original, defensible research around AI-agent abuse, prompt injection, document forensics, scam detection, or privacy engineering and submit a demo-backed talk in the next cycle. | Nullcon prioritizes original research, technical depth, evidence, practical defensive value, and reproducibility; product pitches and recycled decks are not accepted. Berlin 2026 CFP closed 2026-07-12. | 2026-08-03 | Open Nullcon submit page (new tab)Nullcon details |
| 6 | 71 | PodcastGuests.com | 45 | Link type unknown | podcastguests.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Involved | High | Live, conditional | Create a genuine founder expert profile with your tool website, topics, bio, and real media appearances so relevant hosts can invite you. | Profile must represent a real expert; no fake appearances or mass pitching. Basic allows one website link. | 2026-08-05 | Open PodcastGuests.com submit page (new tab)PodcastGuests.com details |
| 7 | 71 | PR Underground | 55 | Nofollow | prunderground.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Publish a factual your tool milestone or research announcement with a clean landing-page URL and media assets. | Editorial approval is required; syndicated copies, indexing, and link attributes are outside AltFTool’s control. | https://www.prunderground.com/faq/ | Open PR Underground submit page (new tab)PR Underground details |
| 8 | 71 | Pressat | 55 | Nofollow | pressat.co.uk | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Create a UK-relevant your tool story or hosted newsroom announcement with useful assets and restrained links. | Only publish genuine news; permanent hosting and links do not guarantee coverage, ranking, or followed-link value. | https://pressat.co.uk/packages/ | Open Pressat submit page (new tab)Pressat details |
| 9 | 71 | PRWeb | 90 | Nofollow | prweb.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Use a major your tool product update, benchmark report, or partnership story with one clear media angle. | Editorial review applies; PRWeb explicitly does not guarantee search rank or media use of the release. | https://www.prweb.com/product/faq/ | Open PRWeb submit page (new tab)PRWeb details |
| 10 | 71 | ResponseSource | 55 | Nofollow | responsesource.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Monitor relevant journalist requests and answer only when your tool has direct expertise, data, or a credible founder quote. | Never force a product mention; replies must exactly match the request, and publication or backlink is entirely editorial. | https://www.responsesource.com/pr/pricing/ | Open ResponseSource submit page (new tab)ResponseSource details |
| 11 | 71 | SaaSGenius | — | Link type unknown | saasgenius.com | Software directories | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Submit your tool as a production SaaS and request a reviewed product profile. | No B2C-only, alpha/beta, standalone mobile-only, or products without US customers. | https://www.saasgenius.com/get-listed/ | Open SaaSGenius submit page (new tab)SaaSGenius details |
| 12 | 71 | Send2Press | 60 | Nofollow | send2press.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | High | Verified live | Distribute a concise news release about a significant your tool launch, study, award, or partnership. | Must be a real news release rather than an advertorial; editorial approval, pickup, and link treatment vary. | https://www.send2press.com/services/price-list.shtml | Open Send2Press submit page (new tab)Send2Press details |
| 13 | 53 | ACCESS Newswire | 55 | Nofollow | accessnewswire.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Distribute a substantial your tool launch or privacy/security research story with media, founder quote, and one canonical URL. | Editorial acceptance applies; unlimited hyperlinks are offered, but pickup and link treatment remain publisher-controlled. | https://www.accessnewswire.com/submit-a-press-release | Open ACCESS Newswire submit page (new tab)ACCESS Newswire details |
| 14 | 53 | Admire The Web | 30 | Link type unknown | admiretheweb.com | Design galleries | Paid | Involved | Medium | Not submitted | Submit your tool strongest responsive or product page with a clean screenshot and concise design summary. | Submission is paid and editorially curated; use only a finished, visually distinctive public page. | 2026-08-03 | Open Admire The Web submit page (new tab)Admire The Web details |
| 15 | 53 | AI Tools Explorer | 25 | Link type unknown | aitoolsexplorer.com | AI tool directories | Paid | Involved | Medium | Live, conditional | Submit a specific AI-powered product with a functional site, clear pricing, precise name, original description, and suitable images. | SFW, functional, clearly priced AI products only; human review applies, links are nofollow, and rejected refunds may exclude Stripe fees. | 2026-08-03 | Open AI Tools Explorer submit page (new tab)AI Tools Explorer details |
| 16 | 53 | AIPure | 40 | Link type unknown | aipure.ai | Launch platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Live, conditional | Submit a specific, working AI-powered your tool experience with honest copy, pricing, images, and a direct product URL. | Must be a genuine AI product and pass editorial review; illegal, fraudulent, malicious, sexual, or violent content is rejected, and traffic is not guaranteed. | 2026-08-03 | Open AIPure submit page (new tab)AIPure details |
| 17 | 53 | Business Wire | 90 | Nofollow | businesswire.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Reserve for major corporate news, partnerships, funding, or independently useful your tool research. | Account setup and editorial review are required; distribution is not an editorial endorsement and links may be qualified. | https://secure.businesswire.com/pricing | Open Business Wire submit page (new tab)Business Wire details |
| 18 | 53 | CisionOne | 85 | Nofollow | cision.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Build a tightly relevant press list and pitch an original your tool report, launch, or expert source contribution. | Use only permission-aware, personalized outreach; software access never guarantees coverage or a link. | https://www.cision.com/journalist-outreach/ | Open CisionOne submit page (new tab)CisionOne details |
| 19 | 53 | CSS Nectar | 50 | Link type unknown | cssnectar.com | Design galleries | Paid | Involved | Medium | Not submitted | Submit a high-resolution screenshot, short design description, relevant categories, and the official your tool URL. | Editorial review applies and rejection is possible; the site states that rejected submissions are refunded. | 2026-08-03 | Open CSS Nectar submit page (new tab)CSS Nectar details |
| 20 | 53 | eReleases | 60 | Nofollow | ereleases.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Use its PR Newswire-backed packages only for a strong national-interest your tool story with clear evidence. | No coverage or SEO outcome is guaranteed; avoid keyword-stuffed or purely promotional copy. | https://order.ereleases.com/ | Open eReleases submit page (new tab)eReleases details |
| 21 | 53 | GlobeNewswire | 90 | Nofollow | globenewswire.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Use for a major release or original your tool trend report that merits broad international distribution. | Submit only verifiable corporate news; publisher pickups and link attributes vary by outlet. | https://www.globenewswire.com/en/press-release-distribution-services | Open GlobeNewswire submit page (new tab)GlobeNewswire details |
| 22 | 53 | Journal of Statistical Software | 70 | Link type unknown | jstatsoft.org | Software directories | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Develop an open statistical/privacy-analysis component, then submit a reproducible English LaTeX software paper linking its code and your tool project page. | Only statistical-computing software with publishable scholarly value; authors must supply software/replication material and handle strict formatting and peer review. | 2026-08-05 — https://www.jstatsoft.org/authors | Open Journal of Statistical Software submit page (new tab)Journal of Statistical Software details |
| 23 | 53 | MatchMaker.fm | 40 | Link type unknown | matchmaker.fm | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Involved | Medium | Live, conditional | Build a truthful founder or your tool show profile, link relevant credentials, and book privacy, security or accessibility interviews. | Use real expertise and personalized pitches; social links and accolades must be accurate. | 2026-08-05 | Open MatchMaker.fm submit page (new tab)MatchMaker.fm details |
| 24 | 53 | Muck Rack | 85 | Nofollow | muckrack.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Identify reporters actively covering privacy, security, developer tools, and consumer utilities; send individualized evidence-led pitches. | No direct listing backlink is promised; respect journalist preferences and avoid unsolicited bulk outreach. | https://muckrack.com/pricing | Open Muck Rack submit page (new tab)Muck Rack details |
| 25 | 53 | Newswire | 80 | Nofollow | newswire.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Use a focused product or research announcement and target the most relevant technology or cybersecurity distribution. | Release must be factual and newsworthy; syndication does not guarantee journalist coverage, ranking, or a followed link. | https://www.newswire.com/our_prices | Open Newswire submit page (new tab)Newswire details |
| 26 | 53 | PR Fire | 45 | Nofollow | prfire.co.uk | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Use its distribution-only option for ready copy or writing package for a strong UK-facing your tool announcement. | Content must pass review; distribution and syndication are paid exposure, not guaranteed independent editorial links. | https://dashboard.prfire.co.uk/press_releases/build/plan | Open PR Fire submit page (new tab)PR Fire details |
| 27 | 53 | PR Leap | 55 | Nofollow | prleap.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Submit a newsworthy your tool release and target its newspaper, radio, television, and online media network. | Distribution to outlets is not the same as earned coverage; verify current package scope before purchase. | https://www.prleap.com/features | Open PR Leap submit page (new tab)PR Leap details |
| 28 | 53 | PR Newswire | 95 | Nofollow | prnewswire.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Pitch a high-signal announcement to relevant technology, AI, privacy, or India media lists through its distribution network. | Membership and distribution charges may apply; placement, pickup, and backlinks are never guaranteed. | https://www.prnewswire.com/pr-distribution-and-placement/ | Open PR Newswire submit page (new tab)PR Newswire details |
| 29 | 53 | RO-Crate Community Blog | 40 | Link type unknown | researchobject.org | Software directories | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Build a genuine RO-Crate validator or privacy linter and submit a technical developer article using the official blog template. | Article must concern practical RO-Crate use or tooling; editorial acceptance is required and product-only promotion is unsuitable. | Official RO-Crate blog contribution announcement checked 2026-08-05 | Open RO-Crate Community Blog submit page (new tab)RO-Crate Community Blog details |
| 30 | 53 | Semrush AI PR Toolkit | 90 | Link type unknown | semrush.com | AI tool directories | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Research AI-cited journalists, build a narrow list, and pitch your tool research or expert commentary rather than generic product copy. | Prowly has been rebranded into this toolkit; access does not guarantee replies, coverage, citations, or backlinks. | https://prowly.com/ | Open Semrush AI PR Toolkit submit page (new tab)Semrush AI PR Toolkit details |
| 31 | 53 | SitePoint | 85 | Sometimes dofollow | sitepoint.com | Guest posting sites | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Submit a deep technical tutorial showing a generalizable web, security, or privacy technique used while building your tool. | Must be original and educational, not promotional; current rules require human-authored work with less than 50% AI involvement. | https://www.sitepoint.com/write-for-us/ | Open SitePoint submit page (new tab)SitePoint details |
| 32 | 53 | TMX Newsfile | 65 | Nofollow | newsfilecorp.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Submit a polished technology or company announcement and select only the relevant distribution circuit. | Editorial rules apply; a wire release is owned media distribution, not guaranteed independent coverage. | https://www2.newsfilecorp.com/ | Open TMX Newsfile submit page (new tab)TMX Newsfile details |
| 33 | 33 | Alibaba | 95 | Nofollow | alibaba.com | Business directories | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Only worth it if you sell physical goods wholesale; apply for a supplier membership. | Supplier accounts require business verification and a paid plan in most regions. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Alibaba submit page (new tab)Alibaba details |
| 34 | 33 | Crowd Supply | 70 | Nofollow | crowdsupply.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Pitch your open hardware product for a campaign and ongoing store listing. | Curated; they accept a small number of projects. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Crowd Supply submit page (new tab)Crowd Supply details |
| 35 | 33 | Indiegogo | 90 | Nofollow | indiegogo.com | Launch platforms | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Run a crowdfunding or pre-order campaign and link your site from the campaign page. | Platform fees apply; campaigns are reviewed for compliance. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Indiegogo submit page (new tab)Indiegogo details |
| 36 | 33 | Kickstarter | 95 | Nofollow | kickstarter.com | Launch platforms | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Launch a campaign for a hardware, creative or game project and link your site from the creator profile. | Projects must create something tangible to share; fees apply on funded campaigns. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Kickstarter submit page (new tab)Kickstarter details |
| 37 | 33 | PressPlugs | 35 | Link type unknown | pressplugs.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Use trial/paid sprint for UK media opportunities. | UK-centric; cancel if no fit. | 2026-07-30 | Open PressPlugs submit page (new tab)PressPlugs 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
Product launch sites87
One-shot launches where timing and preparation decide the outcome.
Guest posting sites55
Publications that accept contributed articles. Slow and editorial, but the links are earned.
AI tool directories200
Fast-growing listings specifically for AI-powered tools.
App stores and marketplaces273
Extension, plugin and integration stores. Real review processes, real distribution.
Startup directory submission sites120
Startup listings, beta lists and founder media.
Software directory submission sites215
General tool and software catalogues with real search traffic.
Software review sites29
B2B review sites. Slow to approve, strong once live.
Developer platforms for backlinks139
Package, image and docs hosting that carries real authority.
Web design galleries for backlinks87
Showcases judged on craft. A good screenshot matters more than copy.
Web 2.0 and publishing sites214
Write once, link back. Editorial standards vary widely.
PR and press release sites41
Get quoted or distribute a release. Slower, higher ceiling.
Business directory submission sites109
Company and local listings. Unglamorous, consistently indexed.
Profile creation sites163
Owned pages you control: company, founder, knowledge-panel entities.
Forum and community backlink sites61
Answer real questions. Never drop a bare link.
Social bookmarking sites18
Brand surface and referral traffic more than link equity.
More backlink opportunities153
Everything that does not fit the buckets above.
Common questions
Do backlinks still matter for ranking in 2026?
Links remain one signal among many, and low-quality bulk links do more harm than good. What still works is being listed where your buyers actually look — directories with real traffic, registries your peers use, and launch platforms with engaged audiences. Every entry in this list is a place a human might plausibly find you, which is why they are worth submitting to regardless of link equity.
Which submissions should I do first?
Start with the quick wins filter: free, low effort, and not in the lowest priority band. 208 of the 1,964 entries qualify, and those are the ones where a single form submission gets you a live listing the same week. Launch platforms are worth saving until your product is genuinely ready, because you only get one good attempt at each.
How is the impact score calculated?
It starts from a hand-assigned priority band (do first, high, medium, later), then adjusts for cost and effort. A free, quick opportunity scores above a paid, involved one in the same band, because it is the one you can realistically finish today. The score is a queueing aid, not a measure of domain authority.
Are these links free?
1,628 of the 1,964 entries are free to submit to or offer a free tier that includes a listing. Cost is shown on every row, and the "nothing to pay" filter narrows the list to exactly those.
Which backlink sites are dofollow?
44 entries are known to give a followed link on a normal listing, and more give one only in some placements. The link type is shown on every row and can be filtered. Sites change their link policy without notice, so treat the label as a starting point and check the live page after you are listed. A nofollow link from a busy site still sends visitors and helps search engines discover you.
What does the DA number mean?
It is our estimate of the site's domain authority, a third-party style 0-100 score of how strong a domain's link profile is, rounded to the nearest 5. 1,580 of the 1,964 sites have one. It is useful for comparing sites, not a Google metric, so relevance to your niche still matters more.
How do I get backlinks for a new website?
1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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.
Will submitting everywhere hurt my site?
Submitting to spam directories can. That is why this list is curated rather than scraped, and why entries carry a status showing whether they have been verified as live. Skip anything that promises hundreds of links for a fee, and prefer places where a real person reviews submissions.