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 filters1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 601 | 44 | All Things AI | 40 | Link type unknown | allthingsai.com | AI tool directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit/claim AI tool listing. | Check if submission requires paid plan. | 2026-07-30 | Open All Things AI submit page (new tab)All Things AI details |
| 602 | 44 | AppSumo Partners | 80 | Nofollow | appsumo.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Pitch lifetime/free deal if your tool has paid tier later. | Only if monetization/deal exists. | 2026-07-30 | Open AppSumo Partners submit page (new tab)AppSumo Partners details |
| 603 | 44 | ClaudePro.directory | — | Link type unknown | claudepro.directory | AI tool directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit only if your tool has Claude/MCP-related resource. | Narrow fit; do not force. | 2026-07-30 | Open ClaudePro.directory submit page (new tab)ClaudePro.directory details |
| 604 | 44 | Cuspera | 50 | Link type unknown | cuspera.com | Software directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Claim/request listing if eligible. | No obvious direct form; use contact if needed. | 2026-07-30 | Open Cuspera submit page (new tab)Cuspera details |
| 605 | 44 | DataLook.io | — | Link type unknown | datalook.io | AI tool directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit AI/data utility if fit. | Good for data/dev tools if open. | 2026-07-30 | Open DataLook.io submit page (new tab)DataLook.io details |
| 606 | 44 | FindYourAgent.ai | — | Link type unknown | findyouragent.ai | AI tool directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit only agent-related your tool feature. | Narrow agent fit. | 2026-07-30 | Open FindYourAgent.ai submit page (new tab)FindYourAgent.ai details |
| 607 | 44 | Kong Partner Plugin Hub | 75 | Link type unknown | konghq.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Not stated | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Build a maintained your tool Kong integration or plugin, then pursue the technology-partner path for possible Plugin Hub inclusion. | Third-party Plugin Hub entries are for accepted Kong partners with real supported plugins; a community plugin alone does not guarantee Hub placement. | 2026-08-05 official Kong partner, custom-plugin and Plugin Hub documentation | Open Kong Partner Plugin Hub submit page (new tab)Kong Partner Plugin Hub details |
| 608 | 44 | Productivity Directory | 30 | Link type unknown | productivity.directory | AI tool directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool productivity/AI utilities. | Check category fit and submission rules. | 2026-07-30 | Open Productivity Directory submit page (new tab)Productivity Directory details |
| 609 | 44 | ToolThump | — | Link type unknown | toolthump.com | Software directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Study accepted multi-tool positioning; possible outreach/partnership. | Research/comparable, not direct submission. | 2026-07-30 | Open ToolThump submit page (new tab)ToolThump details |
| 610 | 38 | Accessibility.com Vendor Directory | 50 | Link type unknown | accessibility.com | Profiles and entities | Paid | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Email the directory team to request an your tool profile for its genuine accessibility tools. | Only pursue with a clear accessibility product offering; ask for current pricing and terms first. | 2026-08-03 | Open Accessibility.com Vendor Directory submit page (new tab)Accessibility.com Vendor Directory details |
| 611 | 38 | AIapps | 35 | Link type unknown | aiapps.com | AI tool directories | Paid | Quick | Later | Verified live | Consider only after your tool has a substantial AI feature and the directory offers business value beyond a link. | Paid annual listing; cancellation pauses the outbound link; do not buy solely for backlink value. | 2026-08-05 official submit page | Open AIapps submit page (new tab)AIapps details |
| 612 | 38 | Blot | 50 | Dofollow | blot.im | Publishing platforms | Paid | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Publish a simple blog by syncing a folder of text or Markdown files, and link to your own projects. | It requires a small subscription; abusive content is removed. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Blot submit page (new tab)Blot details |
| 613 | 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 |
| 614 | 38 | EOSC Federation | 55 | Link type unknown | eosc.eu | Other opportunities | Paid | Quick | Later | Verified live | Onboard an operational research-facing your tool service through an eligible EOSC Node using the Federation Handbook process. | Organization-level service onboarding, not a directory form; maturity, policies, interoperability, support, and Node acceptance are required. | EOSC Federation Handbook checked 2026-08-05 | Open EOSC Federation submit page (new tab)EOSC Federation details |
| 615 | 38 | EOSC Marketplace | 50 | Link type unknown | marketplace.eosc-portal.eu | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Onboard only when your tool is a mature, live and independently valuable service for the European research community, under a legal or hosting entity. | Provider must control delivery; service should meet EOSC relevance and maturity criteria, generally TRL 7+, and pass profile validation. | 2026-08-05 official EOSC Provider Portal inclusion criteria and marketplace | Open EOSC Marketplace submit page (new tab)EOSC Marketplace details |
| 616 | 38 | FIDO Alliance Certified Products | 75 | Link type unknown | fidoalliance.org | Other opportunities | Paid | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Only if your tool builds a real commercial FIDO2 or passkey server, complete conformance and interoperability testing and submit it. | Requires a commercial implementation and complete evidence; product certification is protocol-specific and higher assurance programs cost more. | 2026-08-05 official FIDO functional certification and fees | Open FIDO Alliance Certified Products submit page (new tab)FIDO Alliance Certified Products details |
| 617 | 38 | FIRST | 75 | Link type unknown | first.org | Other opportunities | Paid | Quick | Later | Verified live | Apply as Associate or full Member only after operating a credible incident-response team/program and completing sponsorship/review. | Full membership requires sponsors and SIM3/site-visit process; associate status needs a valid response mission and contribution value. | 2026-08-05 — https://www.first.org/membership/ | Open FIRST submit page (new tab)FIRST details |
| 618 | 38 | HEY World | 80 | Link type unknown | hey.com | Publishing platforms | Paid | Quick | Later | Needs checking | If you use a HEY account, publish blog posts by email to your public HEY World page with links to your work. | It requires a paid HEY account. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open HEY World submit page (new tab)HEY World details |
| 619 | 38 | IAPP | 80 | Link type unknown | iapp.org | Other opportunities | Paid | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Consider organizational membership if your tool actively participates in privacy or AI governance; complete the member directory profile. | Genuine membership and industry participation only; not a low-cost SEO listing. | 2026-08-04 | Open IAPP submit page (new tab)IAPP details |
| 620 | 38 | Microns | 40 | Sometimes dofollow | microns.io | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Quick | Later | Needs checking | List a small online business or side project for sale. | Paid listing fee; small projects fit best. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Microns submit page (new tab)Microns details |
| 621 | 38 | OpenID Certified Implementations | 80 | Link type unknown | openid.net | Profiles and entities | Paid | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | If your tool ships an OpenID Provider or Relying Party, pass the suite, publish evidence, sign the declaration and submit the implementation. | Applicant must own or operate the implementation; separate fees apply and self-certification is not an independent security audit. | 2026-08-05 official OpenID certification guide, fees and implementation directory | Open OpenID Certified Implementations submit page (new tab)OpenID Certified Implementations details |
| 622 | 38 | Pinboard | 75 | Nofollow | pinboard.in | Social channels | Paid | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Save useful pages publicly, including your own, with honest tags. | Small one-time or yearly fee; bulk self-promotion stands out and is pointless. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Pinboard submit page (new tab)Pinboard details |
| 623 | 38 | SubmitWell | — | Link type unknown | submitwell.com | Other opportunities | Paid | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Use if outsourcing submissions with proof screenshots. | Not a backlink site itself; service. | 2026-07-30 | Open SubmitWell submit page (new tab)SubmitWell details |
| 624 | 38 | Super | 60 | Dofollow | super.so | Publishing platforms | Paid | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Turn a public Notion page into a fast website with a custom domain or subdomain and link it to your product. | Paid plans are needed for most features; content follows Notion and Super terms. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Super submit page (new tab)Super details |
| 625 | 38 | There's An AI For That | 60 | Sometimes dofollow | theresanaiforthat.com | AI tool directories | Paid | Quick | Later | Not submitted | Submit only AI-specific your tool modules. | Paid only; conflicts if platform not AI-first. | 2026-07-30 | Open There's An AI For That submit page (new tab)There's An AI For That 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.