A maintained list of 1,854 legitimate backlink sites: directories, profile creation sites, guest posting sites, launch platforms, registries and marketplaces. 1,532 are free or have a free tier, 44 usually give a dofollow link, and 772 have an estimated DA of 70 or more. Every row shows authority, link type, cost and effort, and links straight to the submit page.
Free, one short form, strongest sites first. No paid tier needed.
google.com
github.com
toolhub.wikimedia.org
wordpress.org
flickr.com
patreon.com
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1801 | 39 | The AI Library | — | Link type unknown | theailibrary.co | AI tool directories | Not stated | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit AI feature listing. | Verify editorial criteria. | 2026-07-30 | Open The AI Library submit page (new tab)The AI Library details |
| 1802 | 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 |
| 1803 | 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 |
| 1804 | 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 |
| 1805 | 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 |
| 1806 | 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 |
| 1807 | 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 |
| 1808 | 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 |
| 1809 | 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 |
| 1810 | 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 |
| 1811 | 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 |
| 1812 | 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 |
| 1813 | 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 |
| 1814 | 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 |
| 1815 | 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 |
| 1816 | 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 |
| 1817 | 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 |
| 1818 | 36 | Agentic AI Foundation | — | Link type unknown | aaif.io | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Apply only with a meaningful open agent-security or MCP-governance contribution and an ongoing participation plan. | Linux Foundation prerequisites and parent-company headcount rules apply; associate status is restricted and membership is not certification. | 2026-08-05 official Agentic AI Foundation members page | Open Agentic AI Foundation submit page (new tab)Agentic AI Foundation details |
| 1819 | 36 | Awwwards | 85 | Sometimes dofollow | awwwards.com | Design galleries | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool web design if premium/polished. | High authority; paid and design quality gate. | 2026-07-30 | Open Awwwards submit page (new tab)Awwwards details |
| 1820 | 36 | BetaTesting | 45 | Link type unknown | betatesting.com | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Recruit beta testers for new your tool feature. | Not pure backlink; useful launch validation. | 2026-07-30 | Open BetaTesting submit page (new tab)BetaTesting details |
| 1821 | 36 | Captivate | 60 | Sometimes dofollow | captivate.fm | Publishing platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Host a podcast with its included website and add links to your site in episode notes. | It is a paid service with a free trial. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Captivate submit page (new tab)Captivate details |
| 1822 | 36 | CiviCERT | 40 | Link type unknown | civicert.org | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Apply only after operating a real civil-society digital-security help desk and meeting network operations and vetting requirements. | Adopt vetting/information policies and code of conduct, track cases/share threats, and obtain vouches from two members at different organizations. | 2026-08-05 — https://www.civicert.org/apply-to-be-a-member/ | Open CiviCERT submit page (new tab)CiviCERT details |
| 1823 | 36 | CSS Design Awards | 70 | Sometimes dofollow | cssdesignawards.com | Design galleries | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit site for CSS/design award. | Only after homepage/tool UX polished. | 2026-07-30 | Open CSS Design Awards submit page (new tab)CSS Design Awards details |
| 1824 | 36 | CSS Winner | 55 | Link type unknown | csswinner.com | Design galleries | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit site for CSS award/listing. | Only if design meets award standard. | 2026-07-30 | Open CSS Winner submit page (new tab)CSS Winner details |
| 1825 | 36 | DealMirror | 50 | Nofollow | dealmirror.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Apply to run a lifetime or discount deal for your SaaS. | Revenue share on sales; product must be ready for support load. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open DealMirror submit page (new tab)DealMirror details |
| 1826 | 36 | Directory of Open Access Books | 70 | Link type unknown | doabooks.org | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Apply only after your tool operates a genuine OA scholarly-book publishing program, then submit peer-reviewed privacy-tech books. | Publisher-level path, not a one-off product listing; transparent peer review, open licences, HTTPS publishing site and scholarly books required. | 2026-08-05 — https://www.doabooks.org/en/publishers/join-doab | Open Directory of Open Access Books submit page (new tab)Directory of Open Access Books details |
| 1827 | 36 | Dryad | 80 | Link type unknown | datadryad.org | Developer registries | Paid | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Submit data underlying a legitimate your tool-related research paper and include related software/project identifiers. | Research-data scope only; curation, publication linkage, licensing and possible data-publishing charges apply. | https://datadryad.org/help/guides/submission | Open Dryad submit page (new tab)Dryad details |
| 1828 | 36 | Fabrik | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | fabrik.io | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Publish real your tool film, design, illustration or product case studies and connect them to the appropriate project pages. | Strong creative-work fit only; no credit card for trial, but a lasting public portfolio requires a paid plan. | 2026-08-04 | Open Fabrik submit page (new tab)Fabrik details |
| 1829 | 36 | Flippa | 80 | Nofollow | flippa.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | List a website, app or online business for sale with verified data. | Listing fees apply and claims are checked. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Flippa submit page (new tab)Flippa details |
| 1830 | 36 | Krop | 55 | Sometimes dofollow | krop.com | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Build a real founder or your tool creative portfolio and link relevant case studies to the corresponding live tools. | Designed for creative professionals; paid ongoing hosting and authentic portfolio work are required. | 2026-08-04 | Open Krop submit page (new tab)Krop details |
| 1831 | 36 | LF AI & Data Foundation | 55 | Link type unknown | lfaidata.foundation | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Join only when your tool will fund and actively contribute to open-source AI or data work. | Linux Foundation corporate membership rules apply; free associate status is limited to approved nonprofits, projects or government bodies. | 2026-08-05 official LF AI & Data join page | Open LF AI & Data Foundation submit page (new tab)LF AI & Data Foundation details |
| 1832 | 36 | Libsyn | 80 | Sometimes dofollow | libsyn.com | Publishing platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Host your podcast and use the included show site and notes to link to your website. | It is a paid hosting service. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Libsyn submit page (new tab)Libsyn details |
| 1833 | 36 | Mynewsdesk | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | mynewsdesk.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Publish press releases, images and news in a hosted newsroom that links to your site. | It is a paid service and releases must be genuine news. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Mynewsdesk submit page (new tab)Mynewsdesk details |
| 1834 | 36 | OASIS Open | 80 | Link type unknown | oasis-open.org | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Join only to contribute substantively to relevant security or privacy technical committees and use approved organization metadata. | Reconfirm current dues before purchase; membership is not endorsement and lower tiers may not include a linked logo. | 2026-08-05 official OASIS join and members pages | Open OASIS Open submit page (new tab)OASIS Open details |
| 1835 | 36 | Open Source Initiative | 85 | Link type unknown | opensource.org | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Verified live | After releasing meaningful OSI-licensed code, consider sponsorship only when supporting OSI aligns with your tool strategy. | Financial sponsorship is not certification, governance influence or product endorsement; do not pay solely for a backlink. | 2026-08-05 official OSI benefits and sponsorship document | Open Open Source Initiative submit page (new tab)Open Source Initiative details |
| 1836 | 36 | Pixpa | 60 | Link type unknown | pixpa.com | Profiles and entities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Build a portfolio site on a trial or paid plan and link it to your main site. | Paid after trial; expired sites go offline. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Pixpa submit page (new tab)Pixpa details |
| 1837 | 36 | pr.co | 60 | Sometimes dofollow | pr.co | PR and source platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Host a branded newsroom with your press releases and media kit, linking back to your site. | It is paid; releases should be real announcements. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open pr.co submit page (new tab)pr.co details |
| 1838 | 36 | Prowly | 65 | Sometimes dofollow | prowly.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Use the paid PR tool to host a public newsroom and send releases to relevant journalists. | Mass irrelevant pitching harms deliverability and breaks the terms. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Prowly submit page (new tab)Prowly details |
| 1839 | 36 | ReleaseWire | 65 | Sometimes dofollow | releasewire.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Publish a newsworthy announcement through the paid distribution service with a link to your site. | Releases are reviewed for news value and links may be nofollow on syndication partners. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open ReleaseWire submit page (new tab)ReleaseWire details |
| 1840 | 36 | SmugMug | 90 | Link type unknown | smugmug.com | Profiles and entities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Create a SmugMug site for your photo work and link back to your main site. | Paid subscription required; copyrighted work must be your own. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open SmugMug submit page (new tab)SmugMug details |
| 1841 | 36 | Squarespace | 90 | Dofollow | squarespace.com | Publishing platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Build a site or blog on a paid plan, typically for a project or brand page that links to your main product. | There is no free plan beyond the trial. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Squarespace submit page (new tab)Squarespace details |
| 1842 | 36 | StackSocial | 75 | Nofollow | stacksocial.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Apply as a vendor to offer a discounted deal on your software. | Selective partner program; revenue split applies. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open StackSocial submit page (new tab)StackSocial details |
| 1843 | 36 | Stan Store | 70 | Nofollow | stan.store | Other opportunities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Use only if your tool has a genuine creator offer, guide or service; complete the storefront and connect relevant site pages. | Paid commercial fit required; do not open an empty store solely for a backlink. | 2026-08-04 | Open Stan Store submit page (new tab)Stan Store details |
| 1844 | 36 | Startup Guys | 30 | Link type unknown | startupguys.net | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit startup if paid/editorial terms acceptable. | Paid per list source; verify ROI. | 2026-07-30 | Open Startup Guys submit page (new tab)Startup Guys details |
| 1845 | 36 | StartupSubmit | — | Link type unknown | startupsubmit.app | Startup directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Use only if you want paid done-for-you directory submissions. | Quality varies; manual review still preferred. | 2026-07-30 | Open StartupSubmit submit page (new tab)StartupSubmit details |
| 1846 | 36 | SubmitSaaS | — | Link type unknown | submitsaas.com | Software directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Use only if outsourcing manual directory submissions. | Vet quality; avoid low-quality guaranteed-link spam. | 2026-07-30 | Open SubmitSaaS submit page (new tab)SubmitSaaS details |
| 1847 | 36 | The FWA | 70 | Link type unknown | thefwa.com | Design galleries | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit an interactive site or WebGL experience for jury review; winners get a public award page linking to the work. | Submission fee per entry; judged on craft and innovation, most entries are not awarded. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open The FWA submit page (new tab)The FWA details |
| 1848 | 36 | Transistor | 65 | Sometimes dofollow | transistor.fm | Publishing platforms | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Host a podcast and use the built-in website and show notes to link to your product. | It is a paid service with a free trial. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Transistor submit page (new tab)Transistor details |
| 1849 | 36 | Zenfolio | 75 | Link type unknown | zenfolio.com | Profiles and entities | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Set up a photo portfolio and add your website in the About section. | Paid plans; meant for photographers. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Zenfolio submit page (new tab)Zenfolio details |
| 1850 | 33 | Alibaba | 95 | Nofollow | alibaba.com | Business directories | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Only worth it if you sell physical goods wholesale; apply for a supplier membership. | Supplier accounts require business verification and a paid plan in most regions. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Alibaba submit page (new tab)Alibaba details |
| 1851 | 33 | Crowd Supply | 70 | Nofollow | crowdsupply.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Pitch your open hardware product for a campaign and ongoing store listing. | Curated; they accept a small number of projects. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Crowd Supply submit page (new tab)Crowd Supply details |
| 1852 | 33 | Indiegogo | 90 | Nofollow | indiegogo.com | Launch platforms | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Run a crowdfunding or pre-order campaign and link your site from the campaign page. | Platform fees apply; campaigns are reviewed for compliance. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Indiegogo submit page (new tab)Indiegogo details |
| 1853 | 33 | Kickstarter | 95 | Nofollow | kickstarter.com | Launch platforms | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Launch a campaign for a hardware, creative or game project and link your site from the creator profile. | Projects must create something tangible to share; fees apply on funded campaigns. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Kickstarter submit page (new tab)Kickstarter details |
| 1854 | 33 | PressPlugs | 35 | Link type unknown | pressplugs.com | PR and source platforms | Paid | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Use trial/paid sprint for UK media opportunities. | UK-centric; cancel if no fit. | 2026-07-30 | Open PressPlugs submit page (new tab)PressPlugs details |
Four steps that work for a new site, a SaaS or a side project. No paid link packages, nothing that risks a penalty.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
One-shot launches where timing and preparation decide the outcome.
Publications that accept contributed articles. Slow and editorial, but the links are earned.
Fast-growing listings specifically for AI-powered tools.
Extension, plugin and integration stores. Real review processes, real distribution.
Startup listings, beta lists and founder media.
General tool and software catalogues with real search traffic.
B2B review sites. Slow to approve, strong once live.
Package, image and docs hosting that carries real authority.
Showcases judged on craft. A good screenshot matters more than copy.
Write once, link back. Editorial standards vary widely.
Get quoted or distribute a release. Slower, higher ceiling.
Company and local listings. Unglamorous, consistently indexed.
Owned pages you control: company, founder, knowledge-panel entities.
Answer real questions. Never drop a bare link.
Brand surface and referral traffic more than link equity.
Everything that does not fit the buckets above.