Human Versus Automated Backlink Creation
Free backlinks still operate in 2026, however only from websites with real 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 wasted afternoon. This list pulls from actual website inventories: BacklinkForMe's own free backlink websites page, Locafy's service directory research, 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 labeled with its scale. Treat every number as directional. Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are different scoring systems, and third-party estimates wander in time, so re-check anything you will spend genuine time on. A couple of rules before you begin sending: The majority of the sites listed below are nofollow (Google Business Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and almost every social platform are nofollow by default).
stop chasing LPMDirectories cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) data. The sites in that area below turn down submissions that check out like an ad.
Most are nofollow, but they're still worth declaring because they develop NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both use as a regional ranking signal, and due to the fact that a claimed Google Service Profile or Bing Places listing appears directly in map and regional search results regardless of link value. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Service for local/map presence, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's comparable, faster approval than GoogleApple Service Apple Maps and Siri organization resultsFacebook Organization Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso operates as a review and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, doubles as a reliability signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial totally free)Free fundamental profile, paid tiers add featuresBetter Service Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, regional pricing gets accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that accredit its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial totally free)Legacy directory, still gets genuine search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree fundamental listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree organization listing connected to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (previously 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, immediate approvalChamber of Commerce (local chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership fee generally uses, but the directory listing itself is typically includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree basic listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instantaneous listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree fundamental tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the few complimentary directory sites that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing across many regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree basic business profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to lots of downstream directory sites and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier information: Locafy's company directory list.
stop chasing LPMMastering Elite SEO Links for 2026
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Purpose-built for software application and startups. These matter more for a SaaS or app than a general organization directory site does, because the traffic is purchasers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Introduce directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to release dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree fundamental company profile, heavily indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as a working with channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application review directoryFree basic profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister site to Capterra, very same moms and dad (Gartner)Software Application Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, totally free basic listingG2g2.com90+Software evaluation directoryFree profile, evaluates carry the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Contrast directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively browsing for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller however pertinent trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Startup communityFree profile plus a genuine discussion communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated startup directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant particularly for AI-powered products Source for this section: cross-referenced from several 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that separately noted the same core set of platforms.
The link normally lives in your author bio or profile, not the post body, so the SEO worth is smaller sized per link, however the platforms themselves have enormous domain authority and often outrank a brand-new site for its own name in search engine result. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull short articles, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog, Google-ownedGitHub website hosting, really dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck publishes with a linked profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile connected to your e-mail, appears any place Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's complimentary 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 particularly) can send meaningful 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.
