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 | 48 | Bazel Central Registry | 50 | Link type unknown | registry.bazel.build | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Create maintained Bazel rules or a module that invokes a real your tool security utility, then submit it to BCR. | Requires MODULE.bazel, versioned source archive, source metadata, compatibility declarations and passing presubmit tests. | 2026-08-05 official Bazel registry documentation | Open Bazel Central Registry submit page (new tab)Bazel Central Registry details |
| 2 | 48 | DeviantArt | 95 | Nofollow | deviantart.com | Design galleries | Free | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Publish original your tool UI/illustration work, then add the official website in the profile bio. | Only use for genuine visual work or design process content; generic product promotion is inappropriate. | 2026-08-03 | Open DeviantArt submit page (new tab)DeviantArt details |
| 3 | 48 | Racket Package Catalog | 50 | Link type unknown | pkgs.racket-lang.org | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Release a real Racket privacy utility or your tool client and register its public package source and documentation. | Source is periodically checked; package, documentation and links must accurately describe maintained reusable code. | 2026-08-05 official Racket package guide and catalogue | Open Racket Package Catalog submit page (new tab)Racket Package Catalog details |
| 4 | 48 | Twitch | 95 | Nofollow | twitch.tv | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Host real build sessions or tool demos and add your tool to the channel About/social links. | An inactive link-only channel has little value; follow Twitch content and promotion rules. | 2026-08-03 | Open Twitch submit page (new tab)Twitch details |
| 5 | 46 | BuildInPublic.page | — | Link type unknown | buildinpublic.page | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Join with an authentic verified builder account and showcase your tool milestones and assets. | Do not invent revenue or milestones; verify onboarding availability before planning content. | 2026-08-03 | Open BuildInPublic.page submit page (new tab)BuildInPublic.page details |
| 6 | 46 | CTAN | 75 | Link type unknown | ctan.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Create a genuine LaTeX privacy, redaction or document-safety package and include its exact your tool project homepage in the upload metadata. | Requires distributable source, documentation, licence and maintainer rights; every upload is manually reviewed. | 2026-08-05 official CTAN upload form | Open CTAN submit page (new tab)CTAN details |
| 7 | 46 | DUB Registry | 60 | Link type unknown | code.dlang.org | Developer registries | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Publish a useful D client library or privacy utility with accurate homepage and repository metadata in dub.json or dub.sdl. | Requires maintained public D source and valid package metadata; verify that the desired homepage field appears on the public listing. | 2026-08-05 official DUB Registry and package metadata documentation | Open DUB Registry submit page (new tab)DUB Registry details |
| 8 | 46 | FilePuma | 60 | Link type unknown | filepuma.com | Other opportunities | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Submit only after your tool releases a signed Windows desktop utility. | Not suitable for a web-only site; requires downloadable software or PAD data. | https://www.filepuma.com/submit_program/ | Open FilePuma submit page (new tab)FilePuma details |
| 9 | 46 | FounderApp | — | Link type unknown | founderapp.com | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Build the founder/company profile and add accurate your tool links, stage and product details. | New beta platform; verify that the finished company profile is public before investing time. | 2026-08-03 | Open FounderApp submit page (new tab)FounderApp details |
| 10 | 46 | Hirely Startup Directory | — | Link type unknown | hirely.ma | Startup directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Submit the company profile with logo, industry, stage, location and official your tool URL. | Confirm regional/category fit and provide a real business contact; approval is not guaranteed. | 2026-08-03 | Open Hirely Startup Directory submit page (new tab)Hirely Startup Directory details |
| 11 | 46 | Kodi Add-ons | 70 | Link type unknown | addons.kodi.tv | Marketplaces and app stores | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Create a genuine media-metadata privacy or local-safety add-on and submit it to Kodi's official repository. | Requires supported Python, compatible versions, licence and code review; piracy-related or promotional wrappers are prohibited. | 2026-08-05 official Kodi Submitting Add-ons guide | Open Kodi Add-ons submit page (new tab)Kodi Add-ons details |
| 12 | 46 | Maven Central | 75 | Link type unknown | sonatype.org | Other opportunities | Free | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Release a genuine your tool SDK, verify its namespace, sign artifacts, and include accurate project, SCM, license and developer URLs. | Strict coordinates, signatures, sources, Javadocs and metadata apply; never publish a placeholder artifact for a link. | 2026-08-05 official Maven Central publishing documentation | Open Maven Central submit page (new tab)Maven Central details |
| 13 | 45 | Nexus Spring of Code | — | Link type unknown | nsoc.in | Other opportunities | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Register as a maintainer and submit a real your tool open-source project with contributor-ready issues. | Time-bound program; requires active mentoring, issue curation and production-quality tasks. | 2026-08-03 | Open Nexus Spring of Code submit page (new tab)Nexus Spring of Code details |
| 14 | 45 | Publuu | 60 | Link type unknown | publuu.com | Publishing platforms | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Convert an original your tool guide into a public flipbook and add useful external-resource hotspots where relevant. | A permanent listing may require payment; publish owned, substantial content and avoid duplicate thin PDFs. | 2026-08-04 | Open Publuu submit page (new tab)Publuu details |
| 15 | 45 | Rawkode Academy | — | Link type unknown | rawkode.academy | Design galleries | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Pitch a maintained open-source your tool component for a technical live demo and Q&A. | Requires a real open-source project and maintainer availability; not a directory link drop. | 2026-08-03 | Open Rawkode Academy submit page (new tab)Rawkode Academy details |
| 16 | 44 | Kong Partner Plugin Hub | 75 | Link type unknown | konghq.com | Marketplaces and app stores | Not stated | Quick | Later | Live, conditional | Build a maintained your tool Kong integration or plugin, then pursue the technology-partner path for possible Plugin Hub inclusion. | Third-party Plugin Hub entries are for accepted Kong partners with real supported plugins; a community plugin alone does not guarantee Hub placement. | 2026-08-05 official Kong partner, custom-plugin and Plugin Hub documentation | Open Kong Partner Plugin Hub submit page (new tab)Kong Partner Plugin Hub details |
| 17 | 43 | Ghost | 90 | Sometimes dofollow | ghost.org | Publishing platforms | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Run a genuine your tool privacy/security publication and add contextual links in original posts and About pages. | Requires sustained original publishing; self-hosted pages are on your own domain, not a third-party backlink. | 2026-08-03 | Open Ghost submit page (new tab)Ghost details |
| 18 | 43 | Software for Progress Foundation | — | Link type unknown | softwareforprogress.org | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Submit an open-source your tool accessibility, education or digital-security component for foundation review. | Mission alignment, public code, team details and an impact roadmap are required. | 2026-08-03 | Open Software for Progress Foundation submit page (new tab)Software for Progress Foundation details |
| 19 | 43 | SoundCloud | 95 | Nofollow | soundcloud.com | Publishing platforms | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Create a genuine audio profile, add the website link and publish useful demo or education tracks. | Account must contain owned audio; external destinations and descriptions are moderated. | 2026-08-03 | Open SoundCloud submit page (new tab)SoundCloud details |
| 20 | 43 | Spotify for Creators | 95 | Nofollow | spotify.com | Publishing platforms | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Publish an original tool/privacy show and place contextual your tool links in HTTPS show notes. | Requires real original episodes; copied, low-content or impersonating shows are prohibited. | 2026-08-03 | Open Spotify for Creators submit page (new tab)Spotify for Creators details |
| 21 | 42 | Dailymotion | 95 | Nofollow | dailymotion.com | Profiles and entities | Not stated | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Publish genuine demo videos and add your tool to the approved creator profile website field. | Paid and approval-dependent; standard users cannot add website links. | 2026-08-03 | Open Dailymotion submit page (new tab)Dailymotion details |
| 22 | 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 |
| 23 | 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 |
| 24 | 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 |
| 25 | 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 |
| 26 | 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 |
| 27 | 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 |
| 28 | 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 |
| 29 | 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 |
| 30 | 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 |
| 31 | 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 |
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.