Future-Proof Tiered Link Strategies for 2026
Free backlinks still work in 2026, however just from websites with genuine traffic and editorial standards., Locafy's business directory research study, and the called platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link structure guides.
Where a source reported a DA or DR figure, it's included and labeled with its scale. Deal with every number as directional. Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are different scoring systems, and third-party estimates drift with time, so re-check anything you're about to invest genuine time on. A few rules before you begin submitting: Many of the sites below are nofollow (Google Business Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and nearly every social platform are nofollow by default).
modern link building workflowDirectory sites cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) information. The sites in that area below decline submissions that check out like an advertisement.
Many are nofollow, but they're still worth claiming because they develop NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both use as a local ranking signal, and due to the fact that a declared Google Company Profile or Bing Places listing reveals up directly in map and local search engine result despite link value. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Organization for local/map exposure, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's comparable, much faster approval than GoogleApple Business Apple Maps and Siri service resultsFacebook Service Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso functions as a review and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a reliability signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial totally free)Free standard profile, paid tiers add featuresBetter Organization Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, local pricing applies for accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that license its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial complimentary)Tradition directory site, still gets genuine search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree fundamental listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree organization listing connected to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (formerly Angie's List)angi.com91VariesBest for home services, some categories require paid membershipNextdoor Businessnextdoor.com91Nofollow (partial free)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, instant approvalChamber of Commerce (regional chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership charge normally uses, but the directory site listing itself is often includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree basic listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instant listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree standard tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the couple of complimentary directories that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing across many regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, includes evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree basic company profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to dozens of downstream directory sites and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier information: Locafy's service directory list.
Why Multi-Tiered Link Building Is Effective
These matter more for a SaaS or app than a general organization directory does, due to the fact that the traffic is purchasers 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 evaluation directoryFree standard profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister site to Capterra, very same moms and dad (Gartner)Software Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, complimentary basic listingG2g2.com90+Software application evaluation directoryFree profile, examines carry the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Contrast directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively browsing for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller sized however relevant trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Startup communityFree profile plus a real discussion communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated start-up directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant particularly for AI-powered items Source for this section: cross-referenced from multiple 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that separately listed the exact same core set of platforms.
The link normally lives in your author bio or profile, not the short article body, so the SEO value is smaller per link, however the platforms themselves have huge domain authority and often outrank a new site for its own name in search outcomes. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull posts, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog site, Google-ownedGitHub site hosting, genuinely dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck publishes with a linked profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile tied to your e-mail, appears any place Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's free backlink websites page.
They're on this list anyway because they still drive referral clicks, assist brand-new material get indexed faster, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send meaningful direct traffic when a post in fact resonates in an appropriate 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 shut down by Mozilla in July 2025 and Delicious has been gone for years.
