Human Versus AI-Driven Backlink Generation
Free backlinks still work in 2026, but only from websites with genuine traffic and editorial standards. The other kind (mass directory sites with a DA above 40 and absolutely nothing behind it) mostly get you a nofollow tag and a wasted afternoon. This list pulls from actual website inventories: BacklinkForMe's own complimentary backlink sites page, Locafy's business directory site research study, and the named platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko indicate in their own link structure guides.
Where a source reported a DA or DR figure, it's included and identified with its scale. Deal with every number as directional. Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are various scoring systems, and third-party price quotes wander gradually, so re-check anything you will invest genuine time on. A few rules before you begin submitting: Many of the websites below are nofollow (Google Service Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and nearly every social platform are nofollow by default).
Directory sites cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) information. The sites in that area below turn down submissions that read like an ad.
Many are nofollow, but they're still worth declaring since they establish NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both use as a regional ranking signal, and because a claimed Google Company Profile or Bing Places listing shows up directly in map and local search results page no matter link worth. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Company for local/map exposure, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's equivalent, faster approval than GoogleApple Organization Apple Maps and Siri company resultsFacebook Company Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso operates as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Company Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a trustworthiness signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial totally free)Free basic profile, paid tiers add featuresBetter Business Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, local prices obtains accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that certify its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial complimentary)Legacy directory, still gets real search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree fundamental listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree company listing tied to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (formerly Angie's List)angi.com91VariesBest for home services, some classifications require paid membershipNextdoor Businessnextdoor.com91Nofollow (partial complimentary)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, immediate approvalChamber of Commerce (regional chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership fee usually uses, but the directory listing itself is frequently includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree basic listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instantaneous listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree fundamental tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the couple of complimentary directories that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing throughout most regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree standard company profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds data to lots of downstream directory sites and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier information: Locafy's business directory site list.
stop chasing LPMRobust Backlink Topology for Competitive 2026 Niches
These matter more for a SaaS or app than a basic company directory does, due to the fact that the traffic is buyers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Release directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to release dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree standard company profile, heavily indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as a working with channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application evaluation directoryFree basic profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister site to Capterra, same moms and dad (Gartner)Software Application Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software directoryAlso Gartner-owned, complimentary fundamental listingG2g2.com90+Software application review directoryFree profile, reviews carry the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Contrast directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively searching for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller sized but pertinent trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Start-up communityFree profile plus a real conversation communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated startup directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant particularly for AI-powered items Source for this section: cross-referenced from several 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that separately noted 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 worth is smaller sized per link, but the platforms themselves have enormous domain authority and often outrank a new website for its own name in search engine result. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull articles, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog, Google-ownedGitHub website hosting, genuinely dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck uploads with a linked profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile tied to your email, appears any place Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's totally free backlink websites page.
They're on this list anyhow since they still drive referral clicks, assist brand-new material get indexed quicker, and (for Pinterest and Reddit particularly) can send significant direct traffic when a post actually resonates in an appropriate 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 closed down by Mozilla in July 2025 and Delicious has been gone for years.
