Mastering Advanced SEO Links for 2026
Free backlinks still work in 2026, however only from websites with genuine traffic and editorial requirements., Locafy's business directory site research, and the named platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link building 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 quotes drift in time, so re-check anything you will spend actual time on. A few guidelines before you begin submitting: Most of the websites below are nofollow (Google Organization Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and nearly every social platform are nofollow by default).
GSA SER 3 tier workflowDirectories cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) information. The sites in that section listed below turn down submissions that check out like an advertisement.
The majority of are nofollow, however they're still worth claiming since they establish NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both utilize as a local ranking signal, and since a claimed Google Company Profile or Bing Places listing appears straight in map and local search engine result regardless of link worth. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Service for local/map visibility, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's equivalent, faster approval than GoogleApple Company Apple Maps and Siri company resultsFacebook Organization Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso functions as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a reliability signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial totally free)Free basic profile, paid tiers include featuresBetter Business Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, regional pricing uses for accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that license its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial complimentary)Tradition directory, still gets genuine search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree standard listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree business listing connected to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (previously Angie's List)angi.com91VariesBest for home services, some classifications need paid membershipNextdoor Businessnextdoor.com91Nofollow (partial totally free)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, instantaneous approvalChamber of Commerce (local chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership fee generally applies, however the directory site listing itself is frequently includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree standard listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instantaneous listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree fundamental tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the few complimentary directory sites that remains dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing throughout most regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree fundamental business profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to lots of downstream directories and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier data: Locafy's service directory list.
GSA SER 3 tier workflowWhy Advanced Tiered Link Building Is Effective
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Purpose-built for software application and startups. These matter more for a SaaS or app than a basic business directory does, because the traffic is buyers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Launch directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to introduce dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree basic company profile, heavily indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as an employing channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software review directoryFree standard profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister site to Capterra, same moms and dad (Gartner)Software Application Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, free fundamental listingG2g2.com90+Software review directoryFree profile, evaluates 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 relevant trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Start-up 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 very same core set of platforms.
The link generally 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 massive domain authority and typically outrank a brand-new site 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 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 e-mail, appears wherever Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's free backlink sites page.
They're on this list anyhow because they still drive referral clicks, help 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 (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 actually been opted for years.
