Proven Benefits of Scaling Link Building
Free backlinks still work in 2026, but only from websites with real traffic and editorial standards., Locafy's service directory research study, and the called platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link building guides.
Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are different scoring systems, and third-party estimates wander over time, so re-check anything you're about to invest real time on. A few rules before you start sending: Many of the sites listed below are nofollow (Google Organization Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and nearly every social platform are nofollow by default).
7 tier data packListed below that, a listing rarely gets crawled frequently sufficient to matter, and it's more most likely to sit next to spam. Directories cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) data. Inconsistent information across listings actively hurt regional SEO instead of assisting it. The websites in that area below reject submissions that read like an advertisement.
Most are nofollow, however they're still worth claiming because they establish NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both utilize as a regional ranking signal, and since a claimed Google Business Profile or Bing Places listing appears straight in map and regional search results page no matter link worth. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Service for local/map exposure, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's equivalent, faster approval than GoogleApple Company Apple Maps and Siri service resultsFacebook Service Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso operates as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, doubles as a trustworthiness signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial free)Free fundamental profile, paid tiers include featuresBetter Service 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 free)Legacy directory, still gets real search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree basic listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree organization listing connected to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (formerly Angie's List)angi.com91VariesBest for home services, some classifications require paid membershipNextdoor Businessnextdoor.com91Nofollow (partial free)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, instant approvalChamber of Commerce (regional chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership cost usually uses, but the directory listing itself is frequently includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree basic listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instantaneous listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree basic tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the couple of totally free directory sites that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing across many regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, includes review functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree standard business profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds data to dozens of downstream directories and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier information: Locafy's business directory list.
7 tier data packProven Benefits of Automated Link Building
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 launch dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree standard business profile, heavily indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as a hiring channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application evaluation directoryFree fundamental profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software directorySister site to Capterra, exact same moms and dad (Gartner)Software Application Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, free fundamental listingG2g2.com90+Software application evaluation directoryFree profile, evaluates carry the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Comparison directoryHigh buyer intent, users are actively searching for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller 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 items Source for this section: cross-referenced from multiple 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that individually listed the exact same core set of platforms.
The link normally resides in your author bio or profile, not the post body, so the SEO worth is smaller per link, however the platforms themselves have enormous domain authority and frequently outrank a brand-new site for its own name in search results page. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull short articles, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog site, Google-ownedGitHub website hosting, truly dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck uploads with a linked profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile connected to your email, appears wherever Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's totally free backlink sites page.
They're on this list anyhow since they still drive referral clicks, assist new content get indexed faster, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send significant direct traffic when a post really 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 actually been opted for years.
