A maintained list of 1,432 directories, launch platforms, registries and marketplaces that accept product submissions. 1,134 of them are free or have a free tier, and 192 are quick wins — free, low effort, and worth doing first. Every row shows cost, effort and priority, and links straight to the submission page.
The table is wider than the screen — swipe it sideways for cost, effort and the preparation notes.
| # | Impact (sorted) | Site — sort by this | Domain | Type | Cost | Effort — sort by this | Priority | Status | What to prepare | Rules / caveat | Checked | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74 | The Carpentries Incubator | carpentries.org | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create a substantive privacy, security, or accessibility lesson using your tool exercises and propose it through the Incubator. | Lesson must be openly licensed, educational, maintainable, and non-promotional; Incubator status is not Carpentries endorsement. | Official community-lessons and lesson-developer guides checked 2026-08-05 | Open The Carpentries Incubator submit page (new tab)The Carpentries Incubator details |
| 2 | 56 | Startups.fyi | startups.fyi | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit your tool with a concise problem statement, clear screenshots, founder information, and the canonical product URL. | Listings are paid and human-reviewed; payment places a submission in the publication queue but does not waive quality requirements. | 2026-08-03 | Open Startups.fyi submit page (new tab)Startups.fyi details |
| 3 | 38 | Cloud Security Alliance | cloudsecurityalliance.org | Startup directories | Paid | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Consider only after your tool becomes a substantive cloud or AI security vendor and can participate in CSA programs. | Commercial membership, not a backlink purchase; directory placement does not equal certification or product endorsement. | 2026-08-05 official Startup Membership Agreement | Open Cloud Security Alliance submit page (new tab)Cloud Security Alliance details |
| 4 | 36 | BetaTesting | betatesting.com | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Recruit beta testers for new your tool feature. | Not pure backlink; useful launch validation. | 2026-07-30 | Open BetaTesting submit page (new tab)BetaTesting details |
| 5 | 36 | Startup Guys | startupguys.net | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit startup if paid/editorial terms acceptable. | Paid per list source; verify ROI. | 2026-07-30 | Open Startup Guys submit page (new tab)Startup Guys details |
| 6 | 36 | StartupSubmit | startupsubmit.app | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Use only if you want paid done-for-you directory submissions. | Quality varies; manual review still preferred. | 2026-07-30 | Open StartupSubmit submit page (new tab)StartupSubmit details |
Behind the list
Every row here starts as a line in a sheet, gets normalised into one of 15 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.
One-shot launches where timing and preparation decide the outcome.
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.