Future-Proof Tiered Link Frameworks for 2026
Free backlinks still work in 2026, however just from websites with genuine traffic and editorial standards., Locafy's business directory site research, and the called platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link building guides.
Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are various scoring systems, and third-party estimates wander over time, so re-check anything you're about to spend genuine time on. A few rules before you start submitting: Many of the sites below are nofollow (Google Company Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and almost every social platform are nofollow by default).
1 tier data packDirectory sites cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) data. The websites in that area below reject submissions that read like an ad.
Most are nofollow, but they're still worth claiming due to the fact that they establish NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both use as a local ranking signal, and due to the fact that a claimed Google Company Profile or Bing Places listing appears directly in map and regional search results regardless of link value. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Organization for local/map exposure, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's equivalent, quicker approval than GoogleApple Organization Apple Maps and Siri service resultsFacebook Organization Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso functions as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Company Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a trustworthiness signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial complimentary)Free standard profile, paid tiers include featuresBetter Organization Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, regional prices obtains accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that certify its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial totally free)Legacy directory site, still gets real search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree fundamental listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree organization listing tied to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (formerly Angie's List)angi.com91VariesBest for home services, some categories need paid membershipNextdoor Businessnextdoor.com91Nofollow (partial complimentary)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, immediate approvalChamber of Commerce (regional chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership charge generally applies, but the directory site listing itself is frequently includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree fundamental listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instantaneous listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree fundamental tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the few complimentary directory sites that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing throughout most regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, includes evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree basic business profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to dozens of downstream directories and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier data: Locafy's business directory site list.
Master Elite Tiered Links for 2026
These matter more for a SaaS or app than a general service directory does, because the traffic is purchasers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Launch directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to release 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, same parent (Gartner)Software Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software directoryAlso Gartner-owned, totally free standard listingG2g2.com90+Software application evaluation directoryFree profile, examines bring the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Contrast directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively browsing for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller however relevant trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Startup communityFree profile plus a genuine discussion communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated start-up directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant specifically for AI-powered products Source for this section: cross-referenced from numerous 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that independently listed the same core set of platforms.
The link generally resides in your author bio or profile, not the post body, so the SEO value is smaller sized per link, but the platforms themselves have huge domain authority and typically outrank a brand-new website for its own name in search results page. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull posts, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog, Google-ownedGitHub website hosting, genuinely dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck uploads with a connected profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile connected to your e-mail, shows up any place Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's totally free backlink sites page.
They're on this list anyway due to the fact that they still drive referral clicks, help brand-new material get indexed quicker, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send meaningful direct traffic when a post really resonates in a relevant subreddit or board. SiteURLReported DAFollowPinterestpinterest.com94-97NofollowRedditreddit. com91-94NofollowX (Twitter)x.com99NofollowInstagraminstagram.com98NofollowDiigodiigo.com78NofollowMix (formerly StumbleUpon)mix.com73NofollowScoop.itscoop.it72NofollowInstapaperinstapaper.com74NofollowBizSugarbizsugar.com65NofollowFolkdfolkd.com62NofollowFlipboardflipboard.com90+NofollowRaindrop.ioraindrop.io60+Nofollow Note: Pocket was shut down by Mozilla in July 2025 and Delicious has actually been gone for years.
