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 filters3
Usefulimpact 74–58
- SubmitCivic Tech Field Guide (opens in a new tab)
Civic Tech Field Guide
civictech.guideSubmit only your tool tools with a clear civic or public-interest use case, using the official project name, URL, one-sentence description, accurate category, and contact email.
Estimated domain authority DA ~40PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitIntigriti Public Programs (opens in a new tab)
Intigriti Public Programs
intigriti.comStart privately, mature the process, then publish your program indexed in Intigriti's public directory.
Estimated domain authority DA ~65NofollowPaidQuickVerified live
Long tailimpact 56–36
- SubmitDigital Public Goods Alliance (opens in a new tab)
Digital Public Goods Alliance
digitalpublicgoods.netAfter your tool has a genuinely open-source, well-documented public-interest component, complete the eligibility assessment and nominate that specific component.
Estimated domain authority DA ~55PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitPrinciples for Digital Development (opens in a new tab)
Principles for Digital Development
digitalprinciples.orgObtain senior approval, submit the signed endorsement materials, implement the Principles and share a real case study.
Estimated domain authority DA ~55PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitEOSC Federation (opens in a new tab)
EOSC Federation
eosc.euOnboard your operational research-facing service through an eligible EOSC Node using the Federation Handbook process.
Estimated domain authority DA ~55PaidQuickVerified live - SubmitFIRST (opens in a new tab)
FIRST
first.orgApply as Associate or full Member only after operating a credible incident-response team/program and completing sponsorship/review.
Estimated domain authority DA ~75PaidQuickVerified live - SubmitAgentic AI Foundation (opens in a new tab)
Agentic AI Foundation
aaif.ioApply only with a meaningful open agent-security or MCP-governance contribution and an ongoing participation plan.
PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitCiviCERT (opens in a new tab)
CiviCERT
civicert.orgApply only after operating a real civil-society digital-security help desk and meeting network operations and vetting requirements.
Estimated domain authority DA ~40PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitDirectory of Open Access Books (opens in a new tab)
Directory of Open Access Books
doabooks.orgApply only after your tool operates a genuine OA scholarly-book publishing program, then submit peer-reviewed privacy-tech books.
Estimated domain authority DA ~70PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitLF AI & Data Foundation (opens in a new tab)
LF AI & Data Foundation
lfaidata.foundationJoin only when your tool will fund and actively contribute to open-source AI or data work.
Estimated domain authority DA ~55PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitOASIS Open (opens in a new tab)
OASIS Open
oasis-open.orgJoin only to contribute substantively to relevant security or privacy technical committees and use approved organization metadata.
Estimated domain authority DA ~80PaidModerateVerified live - SubmitOpen Source Initiative (opens in a new tab)
Open Source Initiative
opensource.orgAfter releasing meaningful OSI-licensed code, consider sponsorship only when supporting OSI aligns with your tool strategy.
Estimated domain authority DA ~85PaidModerateVerified live
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.