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 | Good AI Tools | — | Link type unknown | goodaitools.com | AI tool directories | Free | Involved | Do first | Needs checking | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/good-ai-tools | Open Good AI Tools submit page (new tab)Good AI Tools details |
| 2 | 95 | OECD.AI Tools Catalogue | 75 | Link type unknown | oecd.ai | AI tool directories | Free | Involved | Do first | Needs checking | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/oecd-ai-tools-catalogue | Open OECD.AI Tools Catalogue submit page (new tab)OECD.AI Tools Catalogue details |
| 3 | 78 | ListAi.cc | — | Link type unknown | listai.cc | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | High | Not submitted | Submit one legitimate your tool AI utility with the right category, official URL, original two-to-three-sentence description and founder contact. | AI tool and authorization to list it are required; human review typically takes 24–48 hours; do not use featured placement to imply editorial ranking. | 2026-08-03 | Open ListAi.cc submit page (new tab)ListAi.cc details |
| 4 | 78 | SaaS AI Tools | 30 | Link type unknown | saasaitools.com | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | High | Not submitted | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/saas-ai-tools | Open SaaS AI Tools submit page (new tab)SaaS AI Tools details |
| 5 | 78 | ToolWise | — | Link type unknown | toolwise.ai | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | High | Not submitted | Submit your tool name, URL, tagline, category, pricing, features and contact email. | Free profile is AI-researched and normally published within 48 hours; paid editorial options are separate. | 2026-07-30 • https://toolwise.ai/submit-tool | Open ToolWise submit page (new tab)ToolWise details |
| 6 | 78 | Visalytica | — | Link type unknown | visalytica.com | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | High | Not submitted | Submit your tool with an exact tagline, detailed practical description, official URL and contact details for a curated SaaS or AI listing. | Free review can take one to two weeks; approval is required and promotion does not guarantee customers, ranking or editorial endorsement. | 2026-08-03 | Open Visalytica submit page (new tab)Visalytica details |
| 7 | 63 | AllThingsAI.work | — | Link type unknown | allthingsai.work | AI tool directories | Free | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Submit your tool only if its AI functionality is material, with correct category, URL, pricing and product facts. | Editorial review applies; product must genuinely fit AI/SaaS criteria and promotional claims must be accurate. | 2026-08-05 official directory submit page | Open AllThingsAI.work submit page (new tab)AllThingsAI.work details |
| 8 | 63 | ToolChase | — | Link type unknown | toolchase.com | AI tool directories | Free | Involved | Medium | Not submitted | If a reciprocal badge fits the site policy, place it transparently on an appropriate page and email the official your tool URL for independent review. | Badge placement is mandatory for the free route; editorial score and ranking are not guaranteed; sponsored placements are separate and must stay labelled. | 2026-08-03 | Open ToolChase submit page (new tab)ToolChase details |
| 9 | 60 | All Top AI Tools | 25 | Link type unknown | aitoolfor.org | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | Medium | Not submitted | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Listing link is currently reported nofollow. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/all-top-ai-tools | Open All Top AI Tools submit page (new tab)All Top AI Tools details |
| 10 | 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 |
| 11 | 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 |
| 12 | 43 | Free AI Tools Directory | — | Link type unknown | free-ai-tools-directory.com | AI tool directories | Free | Involved | Later | Verified live | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/free-ai-tools-directory | Open Free AI Tools Directory submit page (new tab)Free AI Tools Directory details |
| 13 | 43 | lablab.ai | 60 | Link type unknown | lablab.ai | AI tool directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Join an AI hackathon and publish your project page; your profile and project can link to your product. | Projects come from hackathon participation; no general tool submissions. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open lablab.ai submit page (new tab)lablab.ai details |
| 14 | 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 |
| 15 | 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 |
| 16 | 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 |
| 17 | 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 |
| 18 | 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 |
| 19 | 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 |
| 20 | 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.