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 | 86 | Ansible Galaxy | 80 | Nofollow | ansible.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create a tested Ansible collection for supported your tool deployment or audit automation, complete galaxy.yml, version it, and publish with a Galaxy token. | Publish only maintained, useful collection content with accurate metadata and versioning; acceptance does not guarantee discovery, referrals, or followed links. | 2026-08-03 | Open Ansible Galaxy submit page (new tab)Ansible Galaxy details |
| 2 | 86 | GitHub | 95 | Nofollow | github.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create org/repo README linking your tool; submit to relevant awesome lists. | Only publish original/clean licensed code; no fake stars. | 2026-07-30 | Open GitHub submit page (new tab)GitHub details |
| 3 | 86 | Nimble Directory | 35 | Link type unknown | nimble.directory | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Release a maintained Nim client or utility for your tool and publish it through Nimble with accurate repository and homepage metadata. | The package must meet Nimble manifest and source-hosting requirements and remain installable. | 2026-08-03 | Open Nimble Directory submit page (new tab)Nimble Directory details |
| 4 | 86 | Node-RED Flow Library | 65 | Link type unknown | nodered.org | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Create a functional your tool Node-RED node, publish it to npm, and add it to the Flow Library with documentation and support metadata. | Must follow Node-RED naming, package metadata, node UX, testing, and documentation conventions and avoid thin wrappers. | Official Node-RED custom node documentation checked 2026-08-07 | Open Node-RED Flow Library submit page (new tab)Node-RED Flow Library details |
| 5 | 86 | NuGet | 85 | Nofollow | nuget.org | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Publish a real .NET library or CLI package with ProjectUrl, readme, repository and license metadata. | Requires a Microsoft account and API key; packages undergo validation and indexing. | Official Microsoft NuGet docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open NuGet submit page (new tab)NuGet details |
| 6 | 86 | PlatformIO Registry | 60 | Link type unknown | registry.platformio.org | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Package a real embedded privacy or security library for supported boards, add complete PlatformIO manifest and examples, test it, and publish it publicly. | Published name-version pairs are immutable; package must be functional, properly licensed, documented, versioned, and maintained. | Official PlatformIO package-publish documentation checked 2026-08-05 | Open PlatformIO Registry submit page (new tab)PlatformIO Registry details |
| 7 | 86 | PowerShell Gallery | 75 | Nofollow | powershellgallery.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Publish a stable your tool module or script with ProjectURI, LicenseURI, tags, help and examples. | Requires an account and API key; pass PowerShell Gallery validation and avoid placeholder packages. | Official Microsoft publishing docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open PowerShell Gallery submit page (new tab)PowerShell Gallery details |
| 8 | 86 | pub.dev | 85 | Link type unknown | pub.dev | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Publish an your tool Dart package with homepage, repository, issue tracker, documentation and a complete readme. | Must satisfy pub.dev policy and quality checks; a verified publisher is preferable for a branded package. | Official Dart publishing docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open pub.dev submit page (new tab)pub.dev details |
| 9 | 86 | Pulsar Package Registry | 45 | Link type unknown | pulsar-edit.dev | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Build a maintained Pulsar editor package that performs a real your tool workflow, then publish it to the official package registry with a useful README and project link. | Package must be hosted on GitHub and include valid package.json metadata, SemVer and Pulsar engine constraints; it must provide real editor functionality, not a backlink wrapper. | 2026-08-05 | Open Pulsar Package Registry submit page (new tab)Pulsar Package Registry details |
| 10 | 86 | Terraform Registry | 80 | Link type unknown | registry.terraform.io | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Live, conditional | Publish a maintained Terraform provider for your tool stable API, or a genuinely reusable deployment module, with signed releases, generated documentation, examples, tests, and semantic versions. | A provider must use a public lowercase terraform-provider-* GitHub repository, signed cross-platform release assets, a valid manifest, docs, and SemVer tags. A module has separate public-repository, naming, structure, documentation, and tag requirements. Publish only a functional reusable artifact. | 2026-08-03 | Open Terraform Registry submit page (new tab)Terraform Registry details |
| 11 | 86 | WorkflowHub | 45 | Link type unknown | workflowhub.eu | Developer registries | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Package a reproducible your tool privacy or redaction workflow, join or create a team, and register it with rich metadata and source links. | Requires a real executable workflow file, team membership, accurate authorship/licence metadata, and a maintained public entry. | 2026-08-05 — https://about.workflowhub.eu/docs/registering_workflows/registering-a-workflow/ | Open WorkflowHub submit page (new tab)WorkflowHub details |
| 12 | 84 | Arch User Repository | 80 | Nofollow | aur.archlinux.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create and maintain a PKGBUILD for an installable your tool Linux release with the upstream URL and correct source checksums. | No duplicates, placeholders or binary uploads; package must be useful, x86_64-compatible and maintained. | Official ArchWiki submission guide checked 2026-07-30 | Open Arch User Repository submit page (new tab)Arch User Repository details |
| 13 | 84 | awesome-ai-tools (mahseema) | — | Link type unknown | github.com/mahseema/awesome-ai-tools | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Needs checking | Submit a PR adding the AltFTool AI prompt tools to the relevant prompt/writing section. | Large, popular list; keep description neutral, no marketing language. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open awesome-ai-tools (mahseema) submit page (new tab)awesome-ai-tools (mahseema) details |
| 14 | 84 | awesome-free-tools | — | Link type unknown | github.com/mathewlewallen/awesome-free-tools | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Needs checking | Propose AltFTool as an all-in-one free utilities site in the most relevant section via PR. | Check activity of the repo before investing time; follow existing entry format. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open awesome-free-tools submit page (new tab)awesome-free-tools details |
| 15 | 84 | awesome-n8n-templates | — | Link type unknown | github.com/enescingoz/awesome-n8n-templates | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Needs checking | Contribute one or two genuinely useful AltFTool n8n workflow templates (JSON) with a short description linking back. | Repo wants actual workflow files, not just links; read CONTRIBUTING first. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open awesome-n8n-templates submit page (new tab)awesome-n8n-templates details |
| 16 | 84 | Caddy Module Registry | 65 | Link type unknown | caddyserver.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Build a useful your tool privacy or security Caddy module, publish the Go package, then register it for module docs and custom builds. | Requires a working Go module that implements the Caddy interface; register through a Caddy account and maintain accurate public package documentation. | 2026-08-05 — https://caddyserver.com/docs/extending-caddy | Open Caddy Module Registry submit page (new tab)Caddy Module Registry details |
| 17 | 84 | Chocolatey Community Repository | 75 | Nofollow | community.chocolatey.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Package a genuine your tool Windows desktop or CLI release and set project, documentation and package-source URLs. | Automated checks and moderator review apply; prove redistribution rights and maintain install and uninstall behavior. | Official Chocolatey docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open Chocolatey Community Repository submit page (new tab)Chocolatey Community Repository details |
| 18 | 84 | Chocolatey Community Repository | 75 | Nofollow | chocolatey.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Ship a real your tool CLI or desktop utility as a tested package with homepage, project and support metadata. | Requires distributable software, legal rights, repeatable install/uninstall, tests, malware scan and moderation. | 2026-08-04 | Open Chocolatey Community Repository submit page (new tab)Chocolatey Community Repository details |
| 19 | 84 | CircleCI Orb Registry | 80 | Link type unknown | circleci.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Publish a tested public your tool orb for privacy, secret, or document-safety checks with a homepage URL and usage examples. | Requires a CircleCI organization namespace, GitHub repository, MIT-licensed public orb, semantic releases, tests, and ongoing maintenance. | 2026-08-05 — https://circleci.com/docs/creating-orbs | Open CircleCI Orb Registry submit page (new tab)CircleCI Orb Registry details |
| 20 | 84 | ConanCenter | 65 | Link type unknown | conan.io | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Publish a useful C/C++ SDK or client for an your tool API and contribute its tested recipe to ConanCenter. | The package must be real, versioned and pass conan-center-index review; promotional placeholder packages are inappropriate. | 2026-08-03 | Open ConanCenter submit page (new tab)ConanCenter details |
| 21 | 84 | conda-forge | 65 | Link type unknown | conda-forge.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Submit a tested recipe for a real your tool package with upstream homepage, source archive, license and tests. | PR review and CI are required; an accepted contributor becomes responsible for maintaining the feedstock. | Official conda-forge docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open conda-forge submit page (new tab)conda-forge details |
| 22 | 84 | CRAN | 90 | Nofollow | cran.r-project.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Submit a useful R package with URL and BugReports metadata pointing to its official project and documentation pages. | CRAN performs rigorous automated and manual review; packages must meet policy across supported platforms. | Official CRAN repository policy checked 2026-07-30 | Open CRAN submit page (new tab)CRAN details |
| 23 | 84 | Docker Hub | 90 | Nofollow | docker.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Publish a maintained your tool CLI or server image with source, documentation, descriptions and canonical homepage links. | Ship a scanned, reproducible and maintained image; public presence is not Docker verification and fair-use limits apply. | 2026-08-05 official Docker Hub repository and usage documentation | Open Docker Hub submit page (new tab)Docker Hub details |
| 24 | 84 | Drupal.org Projects | 90 | Nofollow | drupal.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create a functional Drupal integration or reusable module and publish a maintained project page with documentation and official links. | Project must contain real Drupal-compatible code and follow security, licensing, naming and non-promotional rules. | Official Drupal project docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open Drupal.org Projects submit page (new tab)Drupal.org Projects details |
| 25 | 84 | Go Packages | 90 | Link type unknown | pkg.go.dev | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Tag and publish a public Go module with module docs and repository metadata so pkg.go.dev indexes it. | Use a valid module path and semantic-version tag; the module becomes discoverable after the proxy fetches it. | Official Go module publishing docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open Go Packages submit page (new tab)Go Packages details |
| 26 | 84 | Google Open Source Insights | 60 | Link type unknown | deps.dev | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Publish a useful your tool package to a supported registry with accurate source and homepage metadata so Open Source Insights can index it. | No promotional manual submission; only genuine public packages in supported ecosystems are indexed and the homepage link depends on package metadata. | 2026-08-05 official deps.dev About and documentation | Open Google Open Source Insights submit page (new tab)Google Open Source Insights details |
| 27 | 84 | Hex | 70 | Link type unknown | hex.pm | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Publish a maintained Elixir client or utility with package links, description, license and documentation. | Requires a Hex account and valid mix.exs package metadata; publish only reusable working code. | Official Hex publishing docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open Hex submit page (new tab)Hex details |
| 28 | 84 | Homebrew Formulae | 75 | Link type unknown | formulae.brew.sh | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Submit an open-source CLI formula or a qualifying macOS app cask with the canonical your tool homepage. | Must meet Homebrew acceptance, notability, build, audit and testing rules; promotional-only formulae are rejected. | Official Homebrew contribution docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open Homebrew Formulae submit page (new tab)Homebrew Formulae details |
| 29 | 84 | MacPorts | 70 | Link type unknown | ports.macports.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create and test a Portfile for an open-source your tool CLI or desktop app, including its canonical homepage. | Run lint and local builds, then submit a pull request or a MacPorts Trac submission ticket for review. | Official MacPorts guide checked 2026-07-30 | Open MacPorts submit page (new tab)MacPorts details |
| 30 | 84 | Maven Central | 70 | Link type unknown | central.sonatype.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Release a useful Java or Kotlin SDK and include the project homepage, source control, license and developer metadata in the POM. | Requires namespace verification, signed artifacts and complete POM metadata; releases are permanent. | Official Sonatype Central docs checked 2026-07-30 | Open Maven Central submit page (new tab)Maven Central details |
| 31 | 84 | MELPA | 55 | Link type unknown | melpa.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create a useful Emacs client for a public your tool API, host its source openly and submit a MELPA recipe pull request. | Package source must be public, installable and maintained; recipe and naming rules are reviewed by maintainers. | 2026-08-03 | Open MELPA submit page (new tab)MELPA details |
| 32 | 84 | Nixpkgs | 75 | Link type unknown | search.nixos.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Add and test a Nix expression for a genuine your tool release with description, homepage, license and maintainer metadata. | Must satisfy Nixpkgs contribution, licensing, reproducibility, review and supported-platform rules. | Official Nixpkgs 26.05 manual checked 2026-07-30 | Open Nixpkgs submit page (new tab)Nixpkgs details |
| 33 | 84 | npm | 95 | Nofollow | npmjs.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Publish @your tool/embed or utility package with homepage. | Only after package exists; keep license clean. | 2026-07-30 | Open npm submit page (new tab)npm details |
| 34 | 84 | Ollama Model Library | 75 | Link type unknown | ollama.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Publish a small local-first your tool classifier for privacy, secret detection, or defensive content analysis. | Verify base-model redistribution rights, publish a clear licence, document limitations, and exclude private training data. | Official Ollama model sharing documentation checked 2026-08-07 | Open Ollama Model Library submit page (new tab)Ollama Model Library details |
| 35 | 84 | OpenSourceFest | — | Link type unknown | opensourcefest.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Submit a maintained your tool open-source project through Submit a Project. | Editors review license, activity and quality; proprietary web-only tools do not qualify. | 2026-08-05 | Open OpenSourceFest submit page (new tab)OpenSourceFest details |
| 36 | 84 | OpenSSF Scorecard | 40 | Link type unknown | scorecard.dev | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Run Scorecard on a public your tool component, enable published results, remediate checks, and link the public viewer from repository documentation. | Public repository and admin rights are required; scores are heuristic and website exposure is indirect through accurate repository metadata. | 2026-08-05 official Scorecard site and OpenSSF repository | Open OpenSSF Scorecard submit page (new tab)OpenSSF Scorecard details |
| 37 | 84 | openSUSE Build Service | 70 | Link type unknown | build.opensuse.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create a public OBS project and package that builds your tool for supported Linux distributions with upstream links. | Requires valid build recipes, licenses and maintained packages; project pages are for software distribution, not promotion alone. | Official OBS user guide and live service checked 2026-07-30 | Open openSUSE Build Service submit page (new tab)openSUSE Build Service details |
| 38 | 84 | protocols.io | 75 | Link type unknown | protocols.io | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Publish a reproducible your tool testing, privacy-analysis or accessibility-evaluation method and cite relevant project resources. | Submissions must contribute genuine experimental or computational research methods; non-scientific promotion may be removed. | 2026-08-04 | Open protocols.io submit page (new tab)protocols.io details |
| 39 | 84 | RubyGems.org | 80 | Nofollow | rubygems.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Package a legitimate your tool Ruby client or utility and add homepage and source metadata before pushing the gem. | Use a unique gem name, valid gemspec and maintained code; never publish a placeholder package. | Official RubyGems guide checked 2026-07-30 | Open RubyGems.org submit page (new tab)RubyGems.org details |
| 40 | 84 | Swift Package Index | 55 | Link type unknown | swiftpackageindex.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Add a public Swift package with Package.swift, semantic-version tags, documentation and an your tool homepage link. | Repository must be public, use Swift 5 or newer and have a valid semantic-version release. | Official Swift Package Index submission page checked 2026-07-30 | Open Swift Package Index submit page (new tab)Swift Package Index details |
| 41 | 84 | Zeek Packages | 45 | Link type unknown | packages.zeek.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Build a defensive Zeek script or plugin for privacy-safe log inspection, include zkg metadata and tests, then register it in the default Zeek package source. | Must be genuine Zeek functionality, live in a public Git repository, follow package metadata conventions, pass tests, and receive repository review. | Official Zeek package creation and source-registration docs checked 2026-08-05 | Open Zeek Packages submit page (new tab)Zeek Packages details |
| 42 | 81 | Anaconda.org | 75 | Nofollow | anaconda.org | Developer registries | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Verified live | Build and upload a real conda package with homepage, documentation, source and license metadata. | Use anaconda-client and maintain valid packages; notebook and environment uploads are no longer supported. | Official Anaconda.org docs and current client page checked 2026-07-30 | Open Anaconda.org submit page (new tab)Anaconda.org 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.