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 | 91 | LinuxSecurity | 60 | Link type unknown | linuxsecurity.com | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | Do first | Not submitted | Pitch an original advanced article with reproducible examples, such as local PII redaction or malicious-document inspection on Linux, linking only to a genuinely informative supporting page. | At least 1,200 words, intermediate-to-advanced depth, directly related to Linux/open source/cybersecurity, and at least three original images. Product promotion, company marketing, simple listicles, and links to promotional product pages are rejected. | 2026-08-03 | Open LinuxSecurity submit page (new tab)LinuxSecurity details |
| 2 | 77 | Codemotion Magazine | 60 | Link type unknown | codemotion.com | Review platforms | Not stated | Involved | High | Verified live | Pitch a practical privacy-tool engineering article, code walkthrough, or review grounded in your tool implementation experience. | Only original useful content is accepted; sales pitches, press releases, and commercially driven copy are explicitly rejected. | Official Codemotion contributor guidance checked 2026-08-07 | Open Codemotion Magazine submit page (new tab)Codemotion Magazine details |
| 3 | 77 | DevOps.com | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | devops.com | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | High | Not submitted | Submit a 600–1,000 word practitioner article on secure CI/CD, dependency privacy, or local-first developer tooling based on real engineering experience. | The article must be original, exclusive to Techstrong Media, practitioner-focused, vendor-neutral, vendor-agnostic, and entirely non-promotional, including its links. | 2026-08-03 | Open DevOps.com submit page (new tab)DevOps.com details |
| 4 | 77 | Digitool | — | Link type unknown | digitool.co | Software directories | Not stated | Involved | High | Verified live | Create an account and submit your tool with truthful product details and screenshots. | Login and ownership authorization required; editorial review may take up to seven days. | 2026-08-05 | Open Digitool submit page (new tab)Digitool details |
| 5 | 77 | InfoWorld Expert Contributor Network | 90 | Sometimes dofollow | infoworld.com | Guest posting sites | Not stated | Involved | High | Not submitted | Have a named senior practitioner apply with evidence-backed lessons from building local-first privacy tooling, secure developer utilities, or responsible AI-adjacent systems. | The network seeks real IT leaders and practitioners, not anonymous brand copy; editorial independence and the publication's ethics policy apply, and admission is reviewed. | 2026-08-03 | Open InfoWorld Expert Contributor Network submit page (new tab)InfoWorld Expert Contributor Network details |
| 6 | 77 | LWN.net | 85 | Sometimes dofollow | lwn.net | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | High | Not submitted | Pitch a timely, deeply researched Linux or open-source security story with primary sources and explain the author's direct expertise before drafting. | Contact the editors with a detailed pitch first. LWN requires factual, authoritative, concise, sourced, human-written work and explicitly does not publish text from large language models. | 2026-08-03 | Open LWN.net submit page (new tab)LWN.net details |
| 7 | 77 | Open Source For You | 65 | Sometimes dofollow | opensourceforu.com | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | High | Not submitted | Pitch a vendor-neutral tutorial on building privacy-preserving local web tools or reviewing a genuinely open-source your tool component, then wait for topic and outline approval. | Pitch the idea first, then submit a table of contents and article for technical review. Topics must serve the open-source audience; acceptance is editorial and not guaranteed. | 2026-08-03 | Open Open Source For You submit page (new tab)Open Source For You details |
| 8 | 77 | PenTest Magazine | 50 | Link type unknown | pentestmag.com | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | High | Not submitted | Submit a defensive security walkthrough, reproducible tool evaluation, or privacy-testing methodology with an author bio and original examples. | Premium articles are expected to be at least 1,500 words with an introduction, conclusion, technical substance, and author details; editorial review applies and promotional copy should be avoided. | 2026-08-03 | Open PenTest Magazine submit page (new tab)PenTest Magazine details |
| 9 | 77 | Semaphore Blog | 60 | Sometimes dofollow | semaphore.io | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | High | Verified live | Pitch a reproducible tutorial about CI checks for client-side privacy, dependency security, or accessible web tools, with your tool only as a genuine example. | Editorial approval applies; tutorials must be tested, source-cited, educational, and meet the stated depth and length expectations. | Official Semaphore community author guidance checked 2026-08-07 | Open Semaphore Blog submit page (new tab)Semaphore Blog details |
| 10 | 77 | Startupper.Tools | — | Link type unknown | startupper.tools | Startup directories | Not stated | Involved | High | Verified live | Submit your tool with a domain-matching email and accurate startup-use case. | Paid editorial submission; active, well-designed startup tool required. | 2026-08-05 | Open Startupper.Tools submit page (new tab)Startupper.Tools details |
| 11 | 77 | Tripwire State of Security | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | tripwire.com | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | High | Not submitted | Apply with a named security practitioner, writing sample, biography, and a concrete proposal based on defensible privacy or scam-protection research. | The publication seeks security expertise and reviews prospective contributors; send real credentials and a useful topic, not a company-written backlink article. | 2026-08-03 | Open Tripwire State of Security submit page (new tab)Tripwire State of Security details |
| 12 | 59 | Mindsparkle Mag | 35 | Link type unknown | mindsparklemag.com | Design galleries | Not stated | Involved | Medium | Not submitted | Prepare an editorial-quality your tool story with large visuals, product context, design rationale, and original behind-the-scenes material. | Paid submission remains editorially selective; original assets are required and rejected out-of-scope submissions are eligible for a refund under the stated policy. | 2026-08-03 | Open Mindsparkle Mag submit page (new tab)Mindsparkle Mag details |
| 13 | 59 | Posthaven | 65 | Link type unknown | posthaven.com | Publishing platforms | Not stated | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Create a durable project journal containing original founder and engineering posts, using contextual your tool links and real authorship rather than copied site content. | This is paid self-hosted publishing, not purchased editorial coverage. Use original content, rights-cleared media, a real identity, and disclose the AltFTool relationship; avoid cloned or doorway blogs. Page permanence depends on the subscription and no indexing/follow benefit is promised. | 2026-08-03 | Open Posthaven submit page (new tab)Posthaven details |
| 14 | 59 | Prezly | 65 | Nofollow | prezly.com | PR and source platforms | Not stated | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Build a branded your tool newsroom, publish media-ready stories, and send targeted pitches to opted-in contacts. | A hosted newsroom is owned media, not earned coverage; comply with outreach and privacy rules and avoid mass pitching. | https://www.prezly.com/pricing | Open Prezly submit page (new tab)Prezly details |
| 15 | 59 | SaaS Avenue | — | Link type unknown | saasavenue.com | Software directories | Not stated | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Use the site's Submit Your Product flow for your tool. | Listing is subject to editorial review; submission does not guarantee publication. | https://saasavenue.com/ | Open SaaS Avenue submit page (new tab)SaaS Avenue details |
| 16 | 39 | AI Pulse | — | Link type unknown | aipulse.fyi | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Pitch AI tool review/listing. | Editorial pitch may be needed. | 2026-07-30 | Open AI Pulse submit page (new tab)AI Pulse details |
| 17 | 39 | AI Tools Magazine | — | Link type unknown | aitoolsmagazine.com | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Pitch AI tool listing/review. | Editorial review likely. | 2026-07-30 | Open AI Tools Magazine submit page (new tab)AI Tools Magazine details |
| 18 | 39 | AIChief | 30 | Link type unknown | aichief.com | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit AI tool listing/review. | Verify editorial path. | 2026-07-30 | Open AIChief submit page (new tab)AIChief details |
| 19 | 39 | Dessign AI Directory | 55 | Link type unknown | dessign.net | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Pitch/list AI tools if accepted. | Editorial/design audience. | 2026-07-30 | Open Dessign AI Directory submit page (new tab)Dessign AI Directory details |
| 20 | 39 | EliteAI Tools | — | Link type unknown | eliteai.tools | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit high-quality AI tool listing. | Verify editorial criteria. | 2026-07-30 | Open EliteAI Tools submit page (new tab)EliteAI Tools details |
| 21 | 39 | Evol Magazine Tools | — | Link type unknown | evolmagazine.com | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Pitch/list productivity/AI tools. | Editorial path likely. | 2026-07-30 | Open Evol Magazine Tools submit page (new tab)Evol Magazine Tools details |
| 22 | 39 | SaaSKart | — | Link type unknown | saaskart.co | Marketplaces and app stores | Not stated | Involved | Later | Verified live | Consider a verified vendor profile only if the India-focused buyer exposure justifies a recurring listing budget. | There is no free listing; the profile deactivates if the subscription is not renewed, and payment does not justify claiming editorial endorsement. | 2026-08-03 • https://www.saaskart.co/pricing | Open SaaSKart submit page (new tab)SaaSKart details |
| 23 | 39 | The AI Library | — | Link type unknown | theailibrary.co | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit AI feature listing. | Verify editorial criteria. | 2026-07-30 | Open The AI Library submit page (new tab)The AI Library 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.