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 | 98 | Claude Plugin Directory | 85 | Link type unknown | claude.com | AI tool directories | Free | Moderate | Do first | Not submitted | Package a narrow, safe your tool plugin with a public repository, validate it with the Claude plugin validator, and submit it through the in-app directory flow. | Must satisfy directory terms and policy plus automated review; submission does not confer Anthropic Verified status or guarantee listing/backlink attributes. | 2026-08-03 | Open Claude Plugin Directory submit page (new tab)Claude Plugin Directory details |
| 2 | 84 | AI Kendra | — | Link type unknown | aikendra.com | AI tool directories | Free | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Submit a working your tool AI utility with a clear under-80-character tagline, correct category, pricing model, logo and honest description. | Manual review normally targets 24–48 hours; the product must be public, functional and genuinely useful to creators; sponsored slots are optional. | 2026-08-03 | Open AI Kendra submit page (new tab)AI Kendra details |
| 3 | 84 | AI Tool Seekers | — | Link type unknown | aitoolseekers.com | AI tool directories | Free | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Use the free official flow to submit one genuine your tool AI tool, then claim and maintain it using a matching domain email. | AI tools and agents only; manual review may take up to seven days; payment buys review speed and temporary labels, never score or ranking. | 2026-08-03 | Open AI Tool Seekers submit page (new tab)AI Tool Seekers details |
| 4 | 82 | Nextool.ai | — | Link type unknown | nextool.ai | AI tool directories | Not stated | Quick | High | Not submitted | Submit a specific working AI-powered your tool utility, then claim the approved listing with a domain email to maintain features and pricing. | AI tools only; professional public website and accurate details required; claiming an existing listing is verified separately and does not guarantee featured placement. | 2026-08-03 | Open Nextool.ai submit page (new tab)Nextool.ai details |
| 5 | 81 | AI Tools Directory | 30 | Link type unknown | aitoolsdirectory.com | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Submit AI-assisted privacy/safety tools. | Manual review; only AI-related tools. | 2026-07-30 | Open AI Tools Directory submit page (new tab)AI Tools Directory details |
| 6 | 81 | FutureTools | 55 | Nofollow | futuretools.io | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Submit AI privacy/redaction or prompt-safety tools. | CAPTCHA/human review; concise unique copy. | 2026-07-30 | Open FutureTools submit page (new tab)FutureTools details |
| 7 | 81 | ToolDirectory.AI | — | Link type unknown | tooldirectory.ai | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Submit your tool name, live URL, pricing tier and optional visuals; editor writes the final listing. | Working public URL required; hand review; copy may be edited; most unknown free listings may be declined. | 2026-07-30 • https://tooldirectory.ai/submit-tool | Open ToolDirectory.AI submit page (new tab)ToolDirectory.AI details |
| 8 | 81 | ToolScout | — | Link type unknown | toolscout.ai | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Submit AI feature; free listing reviewed by human. | Sign-in needed; human review 24-48h stated. | 2026-07-30 | Open ToolScout submit page (new tab)ToolScout details |
| 9 | 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 |
| 10 | 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 |
| 11 | 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 |
| 12 | 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 |
| 13 | 66 | AI Tools Directory | — | Link type unknown | aitoolsdirectory.site | AI tool directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit a public AI-enabled your tool utility with its official URL, correct category, pricing model and an accurate quality-focused description. | Manual review takes about 3–5 business days; product must be functional, genuinely AI-related, useful, non-duplicate and lawful; spam or misleading tools are rejected. | 2026-08-03 | Open AI Tools Directory submit page (new tab)AI Tools Directory details |
| 14 | 66 | Come AI | — | Link type unknown | iatool.online | AI tool directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit a specific AI-powered your tool utility with its official URL, category and a factual description for editorial review. | AI tools only; every submission is reviewed; featured placement is paid and should not be described as an independent recommendation. | 2026-08-03 | Open Come AI submit page (new tab)Come AI details |
| 15 | 65 | AITopTools | 35 | Link type unknown | aitoptools.com | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Sign up then submit/claim AI tool listing. | Submit path behind account; AI-only. | 2026-07-30 | Open AITopTools submit page (new tab)AITopTools details |
| 16 | 63 | AI Directory by New Horizon Code | — | Link type unknown | ai-directory.io | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit your tool with description, website, logo/screenshots and focused tags. | Every submission is reviewed; keep tags accurate and follow published guidelines. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.ai-directory.io/submit | Open AI Directory by New Horizon Code submit page (new tab)AI Directory by New Horizon Code details |
| 17 | 63 | AISuperHub | — | Link type unknown | aisuperhub.io | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit free/premium AI listing. | AI-only; check if free tier gives backlink. | 2026-07-30 | Open AISuperHub submit page (new tab)AISuperHub details |
| 18 | 63 | Free AI Tools Ayoob | — | Link type unknown | freeaitoolsayoob.com | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit a useful your tool AI feature or online utility with the official URL, category, availability, pricing status and concise truthful description. | All submissions are manually reviewed; choose free unless paid promotion has a clear budget and keep worldwide-availability and pricing claims accurate. | 2026-08-03 | Open Free AI Tools Ayoob submit page (new tab)Free AI Tools Ayoob details |
| 19 | 63 | Futurepedia | 60 | Nofollow | futurepedia.io | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit only AI-facing your tool features, not whole toolbox if too broad. | AI-only; paid options may dominate. | 2026-07-30 | Open Futurepedia submit page (new tab)Futurepedia details |
| 20 | 63 | GPTBot AI Tools | — | Link type unknown | gptbot.io | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit relevant AI tool page with original description. | No NSFW; must be clear in 5 seconds. | 2026-07-30 | Open GPTBot AI Tools submit page (new tab)GPTBot AI Tools details |
| 21 | 63 | Insidr.ai | 35 | Link type unknown | insidr.ai | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit AI tools for directory inclusion. | AI-only; keep use case precise. | 2026-07-30 | Open Insidr.ai submit page (new tab)Insidr.ai details |
| 22 | 63 | SuperAI Tools | — | Link type unknown | superaitools.io | AI tool directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit missing AI tool for database review. | Good fit only for AI pages. | 2026-07-30 | Open SuperAI Tools submit page (new tab)SuperAI Tools details |
| 23 | 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 |
| 24 | 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 |
| 25 | 56 | AIListingTool | — | Link type unknown | ailistingtool.com | AI tool directories | Paid | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit a qualified your tool AI utility with authorized branding, logo, category, pricing model and fully accurate product information. | AI tools only; submitter must own or be authorized to list the product; every submission is reviewed and payment does not excuse misleading or low-quality information. | 2026-08-03 | Open AIListingTool submit page (new tab)AIListingTool details |
| 26 | 56 | ToolCenter | — | Link type unknown | toolcenter.ai | AI tool directories | Paid | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit your tool with logo, description, pricing and screenshot for permanent listing. | Real reachable AI/productivity tool required; manual review; rejected submissions are refunded; listing claims dofollow. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.toolcenter.ai/en/submit | Open ToolCenter submit page (new tab)ToolCenter details |
| 27 | 56 | Toolify | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | toolify.ai | AI tool directories | Paid | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit AI tools/features with multilingual description. | Claims dofollow/backlink; check cost before paying. | 2026-07-30 | Open Toolify submit page (new tab)Toolify details |
| 28 | 56 | ToolsBundle AI Directory | 25 | Link type unknown | ai.toolsbundle.com | AI tool directories | Paid | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit one relevant your tool AI utility with correct category, pricing, short description, useful features, professions and tags. | The team reviews submissions before approval; submit only a genuine AI product and avoid keyword stuffing or unverifiable feature claims. | 2026-08-03 | Open ToolsBundle AI Directory submit page (new tab)ToolsBundle AI Directory details |
| 29 | 56 | TopAI.tools | 50 | Link type unknown | topai.tools | AI tool directories | Paid | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit AI-facing feature; contact for verification. | May require paid review; verify before spend. | 2026-07-30 | Open TopAI.tools submit page (new tab)TopAI.tools details |
| 30 | 48 | YouWant.ai | — | Link type unknown | youwant.ai | AI tool directories | Free | Quick | Later | Not submitted | Create an account and submit your tool with URL, category and concise product copy. | Free submission currently asks for a backlink to YouWant.ai; skip if reciprocal-link policy is unsuitable. | 2026-07-30 • https://youwant.ai/submit | Open YouWant.ai submit page (new tab)YouWant.ai details |
| 31 | 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.