Effective Tutorials for High-Quality Link Acquisition
Free backlinks still work in 2026, but only from sites with genuine traffic and editorial requirements. The other kind (mass directory sites with a DA above 40 and absolutely nothing behind it) mostly get you a nofollow tag and a lost afternoon. This list pulls from actual site stocks: BacklinkForMe's own free backlink websites page, Locafy's company directory research, and the named platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link structure guides.
Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are various scoring systems, and third-party estimates drift over time, so re-check anything you're about to invest genuine time on. A few guidelines before you start submitting: Most of the websites listed below are nofollow (Google Organization Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and almost every social platform are nofollow by default).
LPM versus link qualityListed below that, a listing hardly ever gets crawled typically sufficient to matter, and it's most likely to sit next to spam. Directory sites cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) information. Inconsistent information throughout listings actively hurt local SEO instead of helping it. The websites because area below reject submissions that check out like an advertisement.
Many are nofollow, but they're still worth claiming due to the fact that they establish NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both utilize as a local ranking signal, and since a claimed Google Company Profile or Bing Places listing appears directly in map and regional search engine result despite link worth. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Company for local/map exposure, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's comparable, much faster approval than GoogleApple Organization Apple Maps and Siri business resultsFacebook Organization Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso works as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a trustworthiness signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial complimentary)Free fundamental profile, paid tiers add featuresBetter Business Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, regional rates applies for accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that license its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial complimentary)Tradition directory, still gets real search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree standard listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree service listing connected to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (previously Angie's List)angi.com91VariesBest for home services, some categories need paid membershipNextdoor Businessnextdoor.com91Nofollow (partial totally free)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, immediate approvalChamber of Commerce (local chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership charge usually uses, however the directory site listing itself is typically includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree fundamental listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instant listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree standard tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the few free directories that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing across most regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of review functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree basic company profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to dozens of downstream directories and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier data: Locafy's organization directory list.
Effective Tutorials for High-Quality Link Acquisition
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Purpose-built for software and start-ups. These matter more for a SaaS or app than a general business directory does, because the traffic is buyers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Release directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to introduce dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree fundamental business profile, heavily indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as an employing channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application review directoryFree standard profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister website to Capterra, very same parent (Gartner)Software Application Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software directoryAlso Gartner-owned, totally free basic listingG2g2.com90+Software application review directoryFree profile, evaluates bring the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Comparison directoryHigh buyer intent, users are actively browsing for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller sized but relevant trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Startup communityFree profile plus a genuine conversation communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated startup directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant specifically for AI-powered items Source for this area: cross-referenced from numerous 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that separately listed the same core set of platforms.
The link typically lives in your author bio or profile, not the article body, so the SEO worth is smaller per link, however the platforms themselves have massive domain authority and typically outrank a brand-new site for its own name in search engine result. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull posts, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog, Google-ownedGitHub website hosting, truly dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck submits with a connected profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile connected to your email, appears wherever Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's complimentary backlink websites page.

They're on this list anyhow because they still drive recommendation clicks, help brand-new material get indexed much faster, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send out significant direct traffic when a post actually resonates in a pertinent subreddit or board. SiteURLReported DAFollowPinterestpinterest.com94-97NofollowRedditreddit. com91-94NofollowX (Twitter)x.com99NofollowInstagraminstagram.com98NofollowDiigodiigo.com78NofollowMix (previously StumbleUpon)mix.com73NofollowScoop.itscoop.it72NofollowInstapaperinstapaper.com74NofollowBizSugarbizsugar.com65NofollowFolkdfolkd.com62NofollowFlipboardflipboard.com90+NofollowRaindrop.ioraindrop.io60+Nofollow Note: Pocket was closed down by Mozilla in July 2025 and Delicious has been gone for years.