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 | awesome-no-login-web-apps | — | Link type unknown | github.com/aviaryan/awesome-no-login-web-apps | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Do first | Needs checking | Open a PR adding AltFTool's no-signup PDF and image tools under the matching category, following CONTRIBUTING.md. | Only tools that work fully without login; one entry per PR; maintainer review can take weeks. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open awesome-no-login-web-apps submit page (new tab)awesome-no-login-web-apps details |
| 2 | 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 |
| 3 | 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 |
| 4 | 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 |
| 5 | 68 | API Tracker | 45 | Sometimes dofollow | apitracker.io | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Submit your public API with docs link, SDKs and authentication details. | Only products with public APIs fit. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open API Tracker submit page (new tab)API Tracker details |
| 6 | 68 | Awesome Privacy | 30 | Link type unknown | awesome-privacy.xyz | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Submit only after public privacy policy and client-side privacy proof. | Human-written PR; no AI-generated PR text. | 2026-07-30 | Open Awesome Privacy submit page (new tab)Awesome Privacy details |
| 7 | 68 | Best of JS | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | bestofjs.org | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Suggest your JavaScript or TypeScript project through their GitHub issue process. | Projects need some traction and must be JS ecosystem tools. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Best of JS submit page (new tab)Best of JS details |
| 8 | 66 | Awesome-AITools (ikaijua) | — | Link type unknown | github.com/ikaijua/awesome-aitools | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Add the AI prompt generator tools via PR in the existing table format (English + Chinese columns). | Repo explicitly welcomes PRs; bilingual format. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Awesome-AITools (ikaijua) submit page (new tab)Awesome-AITools (ikaijua) details |
| 9 | 66 | Awesome-Design-Tools | — | Link type unknown | github.com/goabstract/awesome-design-tools | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Propose the colour, image-resize and SVG tools in the matching design tool category. | High-traffic list; they reject generic all-in-one sites, so pitch a specific tool page. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Awesome-Design-Tools submit page (new tab)Awesome-Design-Tools details |
| 10 | 66 | awesome-devtools (devtoolsd) | — | Link type unknown | github.com/devtoolsd/awesome-devtools | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Submit the developer tools hub as a browser-based utilities collection. | Follow the list's alphabetical ordering rules. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open awesome-devtools (devtoolsd) submit page (new tab)awesome-devtools (devtoolsd) details |
| 11 | 66 | awesome-json | — | Link type unknown | github.com/burningtree/awesome-json | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Add the AltFTool JSON formatter/validator under online tools via PR. | Maintenance can be slow; only add the specific JSON tool page. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open awesome-json submit page (new tab)awesome-json details |
| 12 | 66 | Awesome-Prompt-Engineering | — | Link type unknown | github.com/promptslab/awesome-prompt-engineering | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Add the AI prompt tools to the Tools/Apps section via PR. | Research-heavy list; tools section is selective. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Awesome-Prompt-Engineering submit page (new tab)Awesome-Prompt-Engineering details |
| 13 | 66 | awesome-web-dev-tools | — | Link type unknown | github.com/naughtyspirit/awesome-web-dev-tools | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Add the developer utilities hub (encoders, formatters, minifiers) under tools. | Check last commit date before submitting. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open awesome-web-dev-tools submit page (new tab)awesome-web-dev-tools details |
| 14 | 66 | free-for-dev | — | Link type unknown | github.com/ripienaar/free-for-dev | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Only if a developer-facing free tier fits (e.g., an API), add it under the right section with the exact free limits. | Strict rules: SaaS free tiers for devs only; plain tool sites are usually rejected. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open free-for-dev submit page (new tab)free-for-dev details |
| 15 | 66 | search-engine-optimization | — | Link type unknown | github.com/marcobiedermann/search-engine-optimization | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Add the free SEO utilities (meta tag checker, robots/sitemap tools) under Tools. | Only add tools that are free and useful without signup. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open search-engine-optimization submit page (new tab)search-engine-optimization details |
| 16 | 48 | 21st.dev | 45 | Sometimes dofollow | 21st.dev | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Publish React UI components and link your site from your author profile. | Components must be original and working. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open 21st.dev submit page (new tab)21st.dev details |
| 17 | 48 | Android Arsenal | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | android-arsenal.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit your open-source Android library with its repository link. | Only Android libraries and tools are accepted. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Android Arsenal submit page (new tab)Android Arsenal details |
| 18 | 48 | CodeTriage | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | codetriage.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Add your repository so contributors can subscribe to help triage its issues. | Repo must be public on GitHub. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open CodeTriage submit page (new tab)CodeTriage details |
| 19 | 48 | Dotfyle | 40 | Sometimes dofollow | dotfyle.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Add your Neovim plugin or config so it appears in their searchable directory. | Must be a real Neovim plugin hosted publicly. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Dotfyle submit page (new tab)Dotfyle details |
| 20 | 48 | Flutter Gems | 45 | Sometimes dofollow | fluttergems.dev | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Suggest your Flutter package so it is categorised in their curated catalog. | Packages must be on pub.dev and maintained. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Flutter Gems submit page (new tab)Flutter Gems details |
| 21 | 48 | Free Public APIs | 35 | Sometimes dofollow | freepublicapis.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit your free API with a description and documentation link. | APIs are tested and must be free to use. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Free Public APIs submit page (new tab)Free Public APIs details |
| 22 | 48 | Good First Issue | 50 | Sometimes dofollow | goodfirstissue.dev | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Add your open-source repo via pull request so beginners find your labelled issues. | Repo needs active good-first-issue labels and some stars. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Good First Issue submit page (new tab)Good First Issue details |
| 23 | 48 | Jamstack Themes | 45 | Sometimes dofollow | jamstackthemes.dev | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit your open-source starter or theme for a static site generator. | Theme must be on GitHub with a working demo. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Jamstack Themes submit page (new tab)Jamstack Themes details |
| 24 | 48 | Made with Svelte | 45 | Sometimes dofollow | madewithsvelte.com | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit a site, app or component built with Svelte. | Must actually use Svelte; reviewed before publishing. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Made with Svelte submit page (new tab)Made with Svelte details |
| 25 | 48 | React Native Directory | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | reactnative.directory | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Add your React Native library through a pull request to their GitHub repo. | Library must be on npm with a public repository. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open React Native Directory submit page (new tab)React Native Directory details |
| 26 | 48 | Up For Grabs | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | up-for-grabs.net | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Add a project file to their GitHub repo pointing at your beginner-friendly issue label. | Projects with no open labelled issues are pruned. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Up For Grabs submit page (new tab)Up For Grabs details |
| 27 | 46 | Awesome Go | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | awesome-go.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Open a pull request to the awesome-go list with your Go library. | Requires tests, docs, a license and reasonable coverage. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Awesome Go submit page (new tab)Awesome Go details |
| 28 | 46 | Elm Packages | 60 | Nofollow | package.elm-lang.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Publish an Elm package with docs and a repository link. | Semver is enforced and docs are required. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Elm Packages submit page (new tab)Elm Packages details |
| 29 | 46 | Hugo Themes | 65 | Sometimes dofollow | themes.gohugo.io | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Add your Hugo theme following the theme repository submission steps. | Theme needs a README, screenshots and an open license. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Hugo Themes submit page (new tab)Hugo Themes details |
| 30 | 46 | Jamstack.org | 65 | Sometimes dofollow | jamstack.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Add your static site generator or headless CMS through a pull request to their GitHub repo. | Only fitting tool categories are accepted. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Jamstack.org submit page (new tab)Jamstack.org details |
| 31 | 46 | Nuxt Modules | 70 | Sometimes dofollow | nuxt.com | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Open a pull request to the Nuxt modules repository to list your module. | Module must be maintained and documented. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Nuxt Modules submit page (new tab)Nuxt Modules 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.