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 | 100 | AlternativeTo | 80 | Nofollow | alternativeto.net | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Create account, wait cooldown if new, submit your tool as platform alternative. | Avoid per-tool submissions for calculators/converters; no URLs in description. | 2026-07-30 | Open AlternativeTo submit page (new tab)AlternativeTo details |
| 2 | 100 | SaaSHub | 70 | Dofollow | saashub.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Submit platform, add competitor alternatives, verify domain email. | Add competitors; avoid paid multi-submit page confusion. | 2026-07-30 | Open SaaSHub submit page (new tab)SaaSHub details |
| 3 | 100 | SAYUJ by STPI | — | Link type unknown | sayuj.net | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Verified live | Register your tool as an Indian startup, complete its offering profile, and use Product Expo or Startup Connect when relevant. | Requires email and Indian mobile OTP; STPI ownership does not imply government endorsement of listed startups. | 2026-08-05 official registration and STPI About SAYUJ pages | Open SAYUJ by STPI submit page (new tab)SAYUJ by STPI details |
| 4 | 100 | StartupTN | 35 | Link type unknown | startuptn.in | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Live, conditional | Use the official Register flow and build a verified your tool company profile if Tamil Nadu startup rules are met. | Use the homepage registration flow because deep URLs change; public visibility and acceptance remain conditional. | 2026-08-04 | Open StartupTN submit page (new tab)StartupTN details |
| 5 | 100 | Tracxn | 75 | Nofollow | tracxn.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Submit the company website and concise product, market, founder, funding, and traction details for analyst review. | Analysts decide inclusion and may request documents; provide only verifiable company, funding, team, and traction data. | 2026-08-03 | Open Tracxn submit page (new tab)Tracxn details |
| 6 | 86 | CoFoundersLab | 65 | Nofollow | cofounderslab.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Create a complete founder and startup profile for your tool and participate in relevant founder discussions or connection requests. | Use a real founder identity, contribute context before mentioning AltFTool, and never send unsolicited promotional messages. | Official CoFoundersLab signup and community path checked 2026-08-07 | Open CoFoundersLab submit page (new tab)CoFoundersLab details |
| 7 | 86 | Indie Hackers | 75 | Nofollow | indiehackers.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Add product and post build-in-public story with honest numbers. | Avoid link-drop; founder story performs better. | 2026-07-30 | Open Indie Hackers submit page (new tab)Indie Hackers details |
| 8 | 86 | Indie Page | 35 | Link type unknown | indiepa.ge | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Build a complete founder profile, add your tool as a shipped startup, and keep milestones, revenue visibility, and product details truthful. | Public publishing is paid; use a real founder identity and accurate startup data rather than a backlink-only profile. | 2026-08-03 | Open Indie Page submit page (new tab)Indie Page details |
| 9 | 86 | Keybase | 75 | Nofollow | keybase.io | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create the founder Keybase profile and cryptographically prove control of your tool so the public identity record links the verified domain. | The founder must control the website or DNS proof and keep account keys secure; this verifies identity rather than acting as a marketing listing. | 2026-08-03 | Open Keybase submit page (new tab)Keybase details |
| 10 | 86 | Needle Directory | — | Link type unknown | useneedle.net | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Sign in and submit an accurate your tool product profile for review. | Verified startups and tools only; community upvotes must remain organic. | 2026-08-05 | Open Needle Directory submit page (new tab)Needle Directory details |
| 11 | 86 | Startup Grind | 70 | Link type unknown | startupgrind.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Join a relevant chapter, complete the founder profile, attend suitable events, and share your tool only in genuine networking context. | Choose a relevant chapter or event and follow organizer rules; member access is not a broadcast or mass-messaging channel. | Official Startup Grind chapter community path checked 2026-08-07 | Open Startup Grind submit page (new tab)Startup Grind details |
| 12 | 86 | StartuPage | — | Link type unknown | startupa.ge | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Create an authentic founder profile, add your tool as a startup page and include verified website/social links. | Use truthful traction data; do not fabricate revenue or create duplicate identities. | 2026-08-03 | Open StartuPage submit page (new tab)StartuPage details |
| 13 | 86 | The Org | 65 | Nofollow | theorg.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Add your tool’s real company, founder, and team structure with website and role details to create a trustworthy organization profile. | Use verified work details and obtain team consent before publishing names or roles; do not fabricate an org chart. | https://theorg.com/iterate/how-to-make-an-org-chart | Open The Org submit page (new tab)The Org details |
| 14 | 86 | UN SDG Actions Platform | 90 | Link type unknown | sdgs.un.org | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Register a concrete ongoing your tool initiative with measurable milestones, dates, resources, SDG targets, partners and website evidence. | Action must be specific, measurable, achievable, resource-based, time-bound and ongoing; not a proposal, completed activity or organization profile. | 2026-08-05 — https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/acceleration-actions/register | Open UN SDG Actions Platform submit page (new tab)UN SDG Actions Platform details |
| 15 | 83 | Contra | 75 | Nofollow | contra.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create the founder or studio portfolio and publish your tool as a detailed product case study with the live project link. | Use a real professional identity and show genuine work, process, and outcomes; do not create a shell profile only for a backlink. | 2026-08-03 | Open Contra submit page (new tab)Contra details |
| 16 | 83 | Crunchbase | 90 | Nofollow | crunchbase.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create/claim company profile linking your tool/Anslation. | High authority entity/profile; company details needed. | 2026-07-30 | Open Crunchbase submit page (new tab)Crunchbase details |
| 17 | 83 | Startup Stash | 55 | Dofollow | startupstash.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | High | Not submitted | List your tool as productivity/developer/startup resource. | Selective curation; make category fit clear. | 2026-07-30 | Open Startup Stash submit page (new tab)Startup Stash details |
| 18 | 68 | F6S | 75 | Nofollow | f6s.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create startup profile and link website. | Good startup entity citation. | 2026-07-30 | Open F6S submit page (new tab)F6S details |
| 19 | 68 | Feedough | — | Link type unknown | feedough.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Submit AltFTool's startup story with founder details. | Indian startup site; editorial review. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Feedough submit page (new tab)Feedough details |
| 20 | 68 | LetsVenture | — | Link type unknown | letsventure.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Create a founder/startup profile for AltFTool. | Indian startup-investor platform; profile needs company details. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open LetsVenture submit page (new tab)LetsVenture details |
| 21 | 68 | NextBigWhat | — | Link type unknown | nextbigwhat.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Pitch AltFTool as an India-built free tools product. | Indian product/startup media. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open NextBigWhat submit page (new tab)NextBigWhat details |
| 22 | 68 | ORCID | 90 | Nofollow | orcid.org | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | If the founder contributes to research or innovation, create an ORCID record and add your tool under public website and relevant work links. | This is an individual scholarly or innovation identity, not a company listing; add only truthful contributions and public profile fields. | 2026-08-03 | Open ORCID submit page (new tab)ORCID details |
| 23 | 68 | Venture by MyVenture | — | Link type unknown | myventure.dev | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Verified live | Create a founder profile, add your tool as a startup and share authentic milestones or metrics. | Only share truthful metrics; keep the profile updated instead of using it as a one-link shell. | 2026-08-03 | Open Venture by MyVenture submit page (new tab)Venture by MyVenture details |
| 24 | 68 | Vestbee | 50 | Link type unknown | vestbee.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Live, conditional | Create an accurate your tool startup profile and complete its product, team, traction and website details. | Investable-startup fit required; public indexing and an external backlink are not guaranteed. | 2026-08-04 | Open Vestbee submit page (new tab)Vestbee details |
| 25 | 68 | Wellfound | 85 | Nofollow | wellfound.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create startup profile if hiring/startup positioning. | Use company story; not just backlink. | 2026-07-30 | Open Wellfound submit page (new tab)Wellfound details |
| 26 | 65 | Analytics India Magazine | — | Link type unknown | analyticsindiamag.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Pitch the AI prompt tools to their AI coverage. | Large Indian AI publication; sponsored content is paid. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Analytics India Magazine submit page (new tab)Analytics India Magazine details |
| 27 | 65 | Dun & Bradstreet | 90 | Nofollow | dnb.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Verified live | Claim or update your tool’s legal business record, website, address, phone, industry, and ownership details. | Free manager eligibility is limited to qualifying US-based non-public companies; use the regional D&B process elsewhere. | https://www.dnb.com/en-us/smb/duns/duns-manager.html | Open Dun & Bradstreet submit page (new tab)Dun & Bradstreet details |
| 28 | 65 | Gust | 80 | Nofollow | gust.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Verified live | Create an your tool company profile with product, team, traction, and website information. | Best fit for a scalable/fundable startup; control which profile information is public. | https://gust.com/accelerate-your-progress/ | Open Gust submit page (new tab)Gust details |
| 29 | 65 | IndianWeb2 | — | Link type unknown | indianweb2.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Submit a story about AltFTool. | Indian tech news; check free vs sponsored. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open IndianWeb2 submit page (new tab)IndianWeb2 details |
| 30 | 65 | Startup.jobs | 60 | Sometimes dofollow | startup.jobs | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Add your startup and post a real opening so your company page with website link goes live. | Listings must be genuine roles at a startup; stale posts expire. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Startup.jobs submit page (new tab)Startup.jobs details |
| 31 | 65 | StartupBlink | 60 | Link type unknown | startupblink.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Create/claim startup profile for global startup map. | Needs company/startup positioning, not single microtool. | 2026-07-30 | Open StartupBlink submit page (new tab)StartupBlink details |
| 32 | 65 | Surio | — | Link type unknown | surio.org | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Verified live | Create a public professional portfolio and add your tool as a real project with official links. | Use an authentic individual profile and substantive project content. | 2026-08-03 | Open Surio submit page (new tab)Surio details |
| 33 | 64 | Indian Startup News | — | Link type unknown | indianstartupnews.com | Startup directories | Not stated | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Pitch AltFTool's launch milestone. | Verify free submission route. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Indian Startup News submit page (new tab)Indian Startup News details |
| 34 | 64 | StartupNews.fyi | — | Link type unknown | startupnews.fyi | Startup directories | Not stated | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Submit a story about AltFTool's growth or the step counter. | Check for paid placement; prefer free editorial route. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open StartupNews.fyi submit page (new tab)StartupNews.fyi details |
| 35 | 48 | Startupxplore | 45 | Link type unknown | startupxplore.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Later | Not submitted | Create a truthful your tool/founder profile or content page and add the website link where allowed. | Use a real brand/founder identity; do not create thin duplicate pages. Listing link is currently reported nofollow. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/startupxplore | Open Startupxplore submit page (new tab)Startupxplore details |
| 36 | 45 | MAGNiTT | 50 | Link type unknown | magnitt.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Register your startup for a free profile if you operate in the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan or Turkey. | Regional focus; data is verified before publishing. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open MAGNiTT submit page (new tab)MAGNiTT details |
| 37 | 45 | OpenVC | 45 | Link type unknown | openvc.app | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Create a founder profile with your deck and website to reach investors through their open database. | Profiles are for actual fundraising; investors see your link, search engines may not. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open OpenVC submit page (new tab)OpenVC details |
| 38 | 45 | Startup Europe | — | Link type unknown | startupeurope.net | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit only if EU-facing/company fit. | Weak fit unless EU angle. | 2026-07-30 | Open Startup Europe submit page (new tab)Startup Europe details |
| 39 | 45 | Startup88 | 30 | Link type unknown | startup88.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Not submitted | Create a truthful your tool/founder profile or content page and add the website link where allowed. | Use a real brand/founder identity; do not create thin duplicate pages. Listing link is currently reported nofollow. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/startup88 | Open Startup88 submit page (new tab)Startup88 details |
| 40 | 45 | The Hub | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | thehub.io | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Needs checking | If you are a Nordic startup, create a company profile and post roles to appear in their startup directory. | Aimed at startups based in the Nordics. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open The Hub submit page (new tab)The Hub details |
| 41 | 45 | UK Startup Hub | — | Link type unknown | ukstartuphub.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Verified live | Submit a concise company profile only if your tool is a genuine UK startup or has a verifiable UK operating entity. | UK relevance is required; the submit page does not promise automatic acceptance, publication timing or link attributes. | 2026-08-03 • https://ukstartuphub.com/submit | Open UK Startup Hub submit page (new tab)UK Startup Hub details |
| 42 | 45 | VentureRadar | 55 | Link type unknown | ventureradar.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit company/startup profile. | Entity citation; not direct user traffic. | 2026-07-30 | Open VentureRadar submit page (new tab)VentureRadar details |
| 43 | 38 | Cloud Security Alliance | 80 | Sometimes dofollow | 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 |
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.