Manual Versus Automated Backlink Generation
Free backlinks still operate in 2026, but just from sites with real traffic and editorial standards. The other kind (mass directories with a DA above 40 and absolutely nothing behind it) mostly get you a nofollow tag and a squandered afternoon. This list pulls from real site stocks: BacklinkForMe's own totally free backlink websites page, Locafy's organization directory research study, and the called platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko indicate in their own link structure 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 invest genuine time on. A few guidelines before you start submitting: Many of the sites listed below are nofollow (Google Company Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and nearly every social platform are nofollow by default).
done for you data packsListed below that, a listing hardly ever gets crawled often sufficient to matter, and it's more most likely to sit beside spam. Directory sites cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) data. Inconsistent information throughout listings actively harm regional SEO rather of helping it. The sites in that section listed below decline submissions that read like an ad.
A lot of are nofollow, but they're still worth claiming since they develop NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both utilize as a local ranking signal, and due to the fact that a claimed Google Organization Profile or Bing Places listing reveals up straight in map and local search engine result no matter link value. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Company for local/map presence, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's equivalent, faster approval than GoogleApple Service Apple Maps and Siri service resultsFacebook Organization Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso works as a review and messaging channelLinkedIn Company Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a credibility signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial free)Free standard profile, paid tiers include featuresBetter Service Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, regional rates gets accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that certify its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial totally free)Tradition directory site, still gets genuine search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree fundamental listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree service 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 totally free)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, instantaneous approvalChamber of Commerce (regional chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership charge typically uses, however the directory site listing itself is often includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree fundamental listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instant listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree basic tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the couple of totally free directories that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing throughout a lot of regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of review functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree standard company profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to lots of downstream directories and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier information: Locafy's service directory site list.
Essential Advantages of Automated Link Building
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Purpose-built for software and startups. These matter more for a SaaS or app than a general business directory site does, because the traffic is purchasers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Introduce directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to introduce dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree standard business profile, heavily indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, functions as a working with channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application evaluation directoryFree basic profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software directorySister site to Capterra, very same moms and dad (Gartner)Software Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, totally free basic listingG2g2.com90+Software evaluation directoryFree profile, reviews carry the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Comparison directoryHigh buyer intent, users are actively looking for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller sized however appropriate 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 particularly for AI-powered items Source for this section: cross-referenced from multiple 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that independently listed the same core set of platforms.
The link normally resides in your author bio or profile, not the short article body, so the SEO value is smaller per link, however the platforms themselves have enormous domain authority and typically outrank a new website for its own name in search outcomes. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull short articles, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog site, Google-ownedGitHub site hosting, truly dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck publishes with a connected profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile connected to your email, reveals up anywhere 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 referral clicks, assist new content get indexed faster, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send meaningful direct traffic when a post actually 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 closed down by Mozilla in July 2025 and Delicious has been gone for years.
