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 | AlternativeTo | 80 | Nofollow | alternativeto.net | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Create account, wait cooldown if new, submit your tool as platform alternative. | Avoid per-tool submissions for calculators/converters; no URLs in description. | 2026-07-30 | Open AlternativeTo submit page (new tab)AlternativeTo details |
| 2 | 100 | CB Insights | 90 | Nofollow | cbinsights.com | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Request an Analyst Briefing and complete the company survey with product, customer, growth, funding, and market evidence. | Submission does not guarantee profile or research inclusion; all metrics and claims must be supportable and current. | 2026-08-03 | Open CB Insights submit page (new tab)CB Insights details |
| 3 | 100 | Glama MCP Directory | 50 | Link type unknown | glama.ai | Other opportunities | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Deploy a maintained your tool MCP server from GitHub, Docker, npm, or PyPI, verify maintainer ownership, and switch it public only after production testing. | Hosted servers are private by default; public listing requires a real working server, and ranking or backlink attributes remain platform-controlled. | 2026-08-03 | Open Glama MCP Directory submit page (new tab)Glama MCP Directory details |
| 4 | 100 | Product Hunt | 90 | Nofollow | producthunt.com | Launch platforms | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Launch your platform first; prepare maker comment and assets. | No upvote asks; personal accounts; schedule proper launch. | 2026-07-30 | Open Product Hunt submit page (new tab)Product Hunt details |
| 5 | 100 | SaaSHub | 70 | Dofollow | saashub.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Submit platform, add competitor alternatives, verify domain email. | Add competitors; avoid paid multi-submit page confusion. | 2026-07-30 | Open SaaSHub submit page (new tab)SaaSHub details |
| 6 | 100 | Smithery MCP Registry | 50 | Link type unknown | smithery.ai | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Publish a genuine hosted, external, or stdio MCP server exposing a small set of consent-based your tool utilities with complete metadata and documentation. | Server must be operational and compliant; public page and analytics do not guarantee prominence, referral traffic, or dofollow links. | 2026-08-03 | Open Smithery MCP Registry submit page (new tab)Smithery MCP Registry details |
| 7 | 100 | Tracxn | 75 | Nofollow | tracxn.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Do first | Not submitted | Submit the company website and concise product, market, founder, funding, and traction details for analyst review. | Analysts decide inclusion and may request documents; provide only verifiable company, funding, team, and traction data. | 2026-08-03 | Open Tracxn submit page (new tab)Tracxn details |
| 8 | 86 | Activepieces Community Pieces | 50 | Link type unknown | activepieces.com | Communities and forums | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Build and test a useful your tool piece with real actions, publish the package under a unique organization scope, and maintain version compatibility. | Users install community pieces through My Pieces; package publication alone does not guarantee central-directory promotion or a followed backlink. | 2026-08-03 | Open Activepieces Community Pieces submit page (new tab)Activepieces Community Pieces details |
| 9 | 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 |
| 10 | 86 | Capterra | 90 | Nofollow | capterra.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | List product under software categories. | Part of Gartner Digital Markets; good B2B fit. | 2026-07-30 | Open Capterra submit page (new tab)Capterra details |
| 11 | 86 | CodeNewbie Community | 60 | Nofollow | codenewbie.org | Publishing platforms | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create a transparent human profile and publish a beginner-friendly build log or tutorial showing how one your tool privacy utility works and what tradeoffs it has. | Follow the community code of conduct, accessibility guidance, Markdown/editor rules, and honest authorship. Use canonical URLs where republishing and avoid promotional flooding. | 2026-08-03 | Open CodeNewbie Community submit page (new tab)CodeNewbie Community details |
| 12 | 86 | CodeSandbox | 90 | Nofollow | codesandbox.io | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Publish a small open demo that explains one your tool algorithm or UI pattern and add the product website to the founder profile links. | The sandbox must run and provide reusable technical value; public projects and profile links are UGC and may be nofollowed. | 2026-08-03 | Open CodeSandbox submit page (new tab)CodeSandbox details |
| 13 | 86 | daily.dev | 75 | Nofollow | daily.dev | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Complete the founder's developer profile, add your tool as real project experience, and publish useful privacy or security engineering posts with contextual links. | Participate as a genuine community member; avoid promotional link dumps, and do not assume any particular search-link attribute. | 2026-08-03 | Open daily.dev submit page (new tab)daily.dev details |
| 14 | 86 | gitconnected | 50 | Nofollow | gitconnected.com | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create the founder developer profile, add your tool as a real project, and link the live product and supporting repository where applicable. | Use a real individual profile with accurate work history; this is not a generic company-directory listing. | 2026-08-03 | Open gitconnected submit page (new tab)gitconnected details |
| 15 | 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 |
| 16 | 86 | HSTS Preload List | 70 | Link type unknown | hstspreload.org | Other opportunities | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Audit every your tool subdomain, stage HSTS safely, then submit the base domain only after long-term HTTPS readiness is proven. | Requires a valid certificate, HTTP-to-HTTPS redirect, HTTPS on every subdomain, and HSTS max-age of at least one year with includeSubDomains and preload. Inclusion is difficult and slow to undo, so do not submit before a staged rollout. | 2026-08-03 | Open HSTS Preload List submit page (new tab)HSTS Preload List details |
| 17 | 86 | Indie Hackers | 75 | Nofollow | indiehackers.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Add product and post build-in-public story with honest numbers. | Avoid link-drop; founder story performs better. | 2026-07-30 | Open Indie Hackers submit page (new tab)Indie Hackers details |
| 18 | 86 | Indie Page | 35 | Link type unknown | indiepa.ge | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Build a complete founder profile, add your tool as a shipped startup, and keep milestones, revenue visibility, and product details truthful. | Public publishing is paid; use a real founder identity and accurate startup data rather than a backlink-only profile. | 2026-08-03 | Open Indie Page submit page (new tab)Indie Page details |
| 19 | 86 | Joplin Plugins | 60 | Link type unknown | joplinapp.org | Marketplaces and app stores | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Build and test a Joplin plugin that locally detects or removes sensitive note content, provide a valid manifest and publish a maintained release for discovery. | Requires a real installable package, correct plugin manifest and ongoing compatibility; directory metadata and outbound-link handling are platform-controlled. | 2026-08-03 | Open Joplin Plugins submit page (new tab)Joplin Plugins details |
| 20 | 86 | Keybase | 75 | Nofollow | keybase.io | Startup directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create the founder Keybase profile and cryptographically prove control of your tool so the public identity record links the verified domain. | The founder must control the website or DNS proof and keep account keys secure; this verifies identity rather than acting as a marketing listing. | 2026-08-03 | Open Keybase submit page (new tab)Keybase details |
| 21 | 86 | Kompass | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | kompass.com | Business directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Register the legal company and complete a global B2B profile with accurate IT services, contact data, and your tool website. | Provide verifiable company details and choose the correct Kompass classifications; enhanced promotion is paid. | 2026-08-03 | Open Kompass submit page (new tab)Kompass details |
| 22 | 86 | Open Makers | — | Link type unknown | openmakers.io | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Join as your tool founder, create a product page, and document meaningful launches, milestones, and lessons learned. | Sign up as an individual maker, not as a product; product-only and spam accounts may be deleted, and X sign-in is required. | 2026-08-03 | Open Open Makers submit page (new tab)Open Makers details |
| 23 | 86 | Peerlist | 55 | Link type unknown | peerlist.io | Launch platforms | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Create maker profile and launch your tool as project. | Best fit for developer/design tools; complete profile first. | 2026-07-30 | Open Peerlist submit page (new tab)Peerlist details |
| 24 | 86 | WordPress.org Plugins | 95 | Nofollow | wordpress.org | Marketplaces and app stores | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | Submit your tool widgets plugin after /embed is live. | Credit link must be opt-in/default hidden; GPL-compatible plugin. | 2026-07-30 | Open WordPress.org Plugins submit page (new tab)WordPress.org Plugins details |
| 25 | 68 | Chef Supermarket | 75 | Link type unknown | chef.io | Developer registries | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create a tested Chef cookbook for supported your tool deployment or hardening, add complete metadata and source, then share it to Supermarket. | Only publish functional maintained cookbooks with appropriate licensing and metadata; package pages are not guaranteed promotional or dofollow placements. | 2026-08-03 | Open Chef Supermarket submit page (new tab)Chef Supermarket details |
| 26 | 68 | F6S | 75 | Nofollow | f6s.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create startup profile and link website. | Good startup entity citation. | 2026-07-30 | Open F6S submit page (new tab)F6S details |
| 27 | 68 | Favors.dev | — | Link type unknown | favors.dev | Launch platforms | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Use atlas to find more open-form launch sites and request listing if available. | Mostly research atlas; check submit/contact path. | 2026-07-30 | Open Favors.dev submit page (new tab)Favors.dev details |
| 28 | 68 | Flickr | 95 | Nofollow | flickr.com | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create a truthful your tool/founder profile or content page and add the website link where allowed. | Use a real brand/founder identity; do not create thin duplicate pages. Listing link is currently reported nofollow. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/flickr | Open Flickr submit page (new tab)Flickr details |
| 29 | 68 | GetApp | 85 | Nofollow | getapp.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create software vendor listing. | Often managed with Capterra listing. | 2026-07-30 | Open GetApp submit page (new tab)GetApp details |
| 30 | 68 | Ghost Forum | 85 | Nofollow | forum.ghost.org | Communities and forums | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Post how to embed your tool calculators in Ghost after /embed live. | Forum post only; directory closed to submissions. | 2026-07-30 | Open Ghost Forum submit page (new tab)Ghost Forum details |
| 31 | 68 | GitLab | 90 | Nofollow | gitlab.com | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Mirror open-source embed SDK or examples with homepage link. | Useful only with real OSS artifact. | 2026-07-30 | Open GitLab submit page (new tab)GitLab details |
| 32 | 68 | Software Advice | 85 | Nofollow | softwareadvice.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Submit B2B software listing. | Gartner network; use consistent product info. | 2026-07-30 | Open Software Advice submit page (new tab)Software Advice details |
| 33 | 68 | Stack Exchange | 90 | Nofollow | stackexchange.com | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Build a real founder profile and answer narrowly relevant questions, linking to an your tool resource only when it directly substantiates the answer. | Strict anti-self-promotion rules apply; disclose affiliation, never seed questions, and expect links in posts to be UGC or nofollow. | 2026-08-03 | Open Stack Exchange submit page (new tab)Stack Exchange details |
| 34 | 68 | Stack Overflow | 95 | Nofollow | stackoverflow.com | Profiles and entities | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create a truthful your tool/founder profile or content page and add the website link where allowed. | Use a real brand/founder identity; do not create thin duplicate pages. Listing link is currently reported nofollow. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/stack-overflow | Open Stack Overflow submit page (new tab)Stack Overflow details |
| 35 | 68 | Wellfound | 85 | Nofollow | wellfound.com | Startup directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create startup profile if hiring/startup positioning. | Use company story; not just backlink. | 2026-07-30 | Open Wellfound submit page (new tab)Wellfound 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.