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 | 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 |
| 2 | 98 | Dealroom | 75 | Nofollow | dealroom.co | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Do first | Verified live | Create or claim your tool, add its verified website, product description, sector, founding details, team, and milestones. | Use a company-domain email and accurate data; profile approval and public visibility depend on Dealroom verification. | https://knowledge.dealroom.co/knowledge/creating-claiming-editing-company-profile | Open Dealroom submit page (new tab)Dealroom details |
| 3 | 98 | Enterprise League | 45 | Link type unknown | enterpriseleague.com | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Do first | Verified live | Create and verify a complete your tool company page with offerings, target users, location, and canonical website link. | Complete and verify the profile with factual details; the platform explicitly says no directory can guarantee an AI citation. | https://enterpriseleague.com/get-found-by-ai | Open Enterprise League submit page (new tab)Enterprise League details |
| 4 | 98 | The Startup Starter Kit | — | Link type unknown | thestartupstarterkit.com | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Do first | Verified live | Submit your tool as a live security, productivity or founder utility. | Manual curation; product must genuinely help founders and descriptions must be factual. | 2026-08-05 | Open The Startup Starter Kit submit page (new tab)The Startup Starter Kit details |
| 5 | 95 | We Are Founders Directory | — | Link type unknown | directory.wearefounders.uk | Startup directories | Free | Involved | Do first | Verified live | Submit your tool for a hand-reviewed founder-tool profile and direct website CTA. | Live product with real founder value; vapourware and thin AI wrappers are rejected. | 2026-08-05 | Open We Are Founders Directory submit page (new tab)We Are Founders Directory 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 | 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 |
| 8 | 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 |
| 9 | 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 |
| 10 | 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 |
| 11 | 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 |
| 12 | 84 | Startup India | 75 | Link type unknown | startupindia.gov.in | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Apply only if the legal entity behind your tool meets DPIIT eligibility, innovation, age, and turnover conditions. | This is entity validation rather than a guaranteed public backlink; incorporation and eligibility evidence are mandatory. | https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/startupgov/startup_recognition_page.html | Open Startup India submit page (new tab)Startup India details |
| 13 | 81 | Harmonic | 50 | Link type unknown | harmonic.ai | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Verified live | Submit accurate company, founder and product details so your tool can be evaluated for Harmonic's startup database. | Submission does not guarantee inclusion or how Harmonic displays the data; use a work email and verifiable company information. | 2026-08-03 • https://harmonic.ai/get-discovered | Open Harmonic submit page (new tab)Harmonic details |
| 14 | 77 | Startupper.Tools | — | Link type unknown | startupper.tools | Startup directories | Not stated | Involved | High | Verified live | Submit your tool with a domain-matching email and accurate startup-use case. | Paid editorial submission; active, well-designed startup tool required. | 2026-08-05 | Open Startupper.Tools submit page (new tab)Startupper.Tools details |
| 15 | 74 | The Carpentries Incubator | 65 | Link type unknown | carpentries.org | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create a substantive privacy, security, or accessibility lesson using your tool exercises and propose it through the Incubator. | Lesson must be openly licensed, educational, maintainable, and non-promotional; Incubator status is not Carpentries endorsement. | Official community-lessons and lesson-developer guides checked 2026-08-05 | Open The Carpentries Incubator submit page (new tab)The Carpentries Incubator details |
| 16 | 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 |
| 17 | 66 | IndieForge | — | Link type unknown | indie-forge.net | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Create a truthful founder profile, showcase your tool, and participate consistently in relevant discussions. | Value comes from ongoing genuine participation; one-off self-promotional link drops are inappropriate. | 2026-08-05 official login/community pages | Open IndieForge submit page (new tab)IndieForge details |
| 18 | 66 | Startempire Wire | 30 | Link type unknown | startempirewire.com | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Create an account and submit your tool for a dedicated startup profile and category placement. | Use accurate company and traction data; directory review applies. | 2026-08-03 | Open Startempire Wire submit page (new tab)Startempire Wire details |
| 19 | 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 |
| 20 | 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 |
| 21 | 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 |
| 22 | 63 | Comparably | 80 | Nofollow | comparably.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Claim your tool’s company page and complete its verified website, company description, leadership, and employer information. | Claimant generally needs a valid company email and an HR, marketing, employer-brand, or authorized role. | https://www.comparably.com/faq/ | Open Comparably submit page (new tab)Comparably details |
| 23 | 63 | FoundersBeta Startup Forum | — | Link type unknown | foundersbeta.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Join the forum, answer founder questions, and share an your tool lesson or launch update only when it directly fits the thread. | Be helpful and relevant, avoid spam or excessive promotion, give more than you take, and obtain approval for advertising. | Official FoundersBeta forum welcome and terms checked 2026-08-07 | Open FoundersBeta Startup Forum submit page (new tab)FoundersBeta Startup Forum details |
| 24 | 63 | Glassdoor Employer Center | 90 | Nofollow | glassdoor.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Claim your tool employer profile and verify website, headquarters, logo, company mission, and benefits. | Glassdoor approves authorized HR, marketing, operations, or executive users; reviews remain independent. | https://www.glassdoor.com/employers/resources/glassdoor-employer-center-guide/ | Open Glassdoor Employer Center submit page (new tab)Glassdoor Employer Center details |
| 25 | 63 | Indeed Company Pages | 90 | Nofollow | indeed.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Claim your tool’s page and add the verified website, social profiles, logo, location, industry, and accurate employer story. | An employer account and verification may be required; reviews cannot be edited by the company and features vary by market. | https://www.indeed.com/hire/resources/howtohub/faq?co=US | Open Indeed Company Pages submit page (new tab)Indeed Company Pages details |
| 26 | 63 | StartUs | 40 | Link type unknown | startus.cc | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Create a free your tool business profile with product summary, logo, website, team, and genuine company updates. | Keep the profile complete and factual; verify the final page is public and avoid posting duplicate promotional updates. | https://www.startus.cc/recruiter | Open StartUs submit page (new tab)StartUs details |
| 27 | 63 | TechPluto | 50 | Link type unknown | techpluto.com | Startup directories | Free | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Submit a 100-plus-word your tool startup story for editorial consideration. | Publication is editorially selected and not guaranteed. | https://www.techpluto.com/submit-startup2222/ | Open TechPluto submit page (new tab)TechPluto details |
| 28 | 60 | Webfolio | — | Link type unknown | webfolio.to | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Submit your tool for an editorial tool profile and optional promotion. | Editorial approval applies; paid exposure is optional. | https://www.webfolio.to/for-founders | Open Webfolio submit page (new tab)Webfolio details |
| 29 | 46 | Startbase | 50 | Link type unknown | startbase.com | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Register and claim a company profile only if your tool has a genuine German headquarters, branch or founding connection. | Conditional eligibility: innovative, scalable companies with a real Germany nexus, generally under ten years old; verification may require a company-domain email. | 2026-08-03 • https://www.startbase.com/faqs/ | Open Startbase submit page (new tab)Startbase details |
| 30 | 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 |
| 31 | 43 | Founded in UK | — | Link type unknown | foundeduk.com | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Use the 'Submit your British startup' application only if your tool was genuinely founded in the UK. | Eligibility is limited to ambitious UK-founded companies created in the 21st century; inclusion is curated and not guaranteed. | 2026-08-03 • https://foundeduk.com/ | Open Founded in UK submit page (new tab)Founded in UK details |
| 32 | 43 | Startin.LV Startup Database | 35 | Link type unknown | startin.lv | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Apply only if the operating company is genuinely incorporated in Latvia and fits the database's scalable-startup criteria. | Conditional eligibility: Latvia-based incorporation and an innovative, scalable model; entries are manually considered rather than automatically published. | 2026-08-03 • https://startin.lv/startup-database/ | Open Startin.LV Startup Database submit page (new tab)Startin.LV Startup Database details |
| 33 | 43 | startup.ch | 45 | Link type unknown | startup.ch | Startup directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Apply for a profile only if your tool is operated by a scalable high-tech startup incorporated and headquartered in Switzerland. | Strict regional eligibility applies; the application requests company and team details and publication remains subject to review. | 2026-08-03 • https://www.startup.ch/index.cfm?page=137908 | Open startup.ch submit page (new tab)startup.ch 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.