The Ultimate 2026 Backlink Lists for Growth
Free backlinks still work in 2026, but just from sites with real traffic and editorial standards. The other kind (mass directory sites with a DA above 40 and absolutely nothing behind it) mainly get you a nofollow tag and a lost afternoon. This list pulls from real site stocks: BacklinkForMe's own complimentary backlink sites page, Locafy's service directory site research, 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 price quotes wander over time, so re-check anything you're about to spend real time on. A couple of guidelines before you start sending: Many of the sites below are nofollow (Google Service Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and almost every social platform are nofollow by default).
Directories cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) data. The websites in that section listed below turn down submissions that read like an ad.
A lot of are nofollow, but they're still worth claiming since they establish NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both utilize as a local ranking signal, and due to the fact that a claimed Google Company Profile or Bing Places listing appears straight in map and local search engine result despite link value. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Business for local/map visibility, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's comparable, much faster approval than GoogleApple Business Apple Maps and Siri organization resultsFacebook Organization Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso works as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, doubles as a credibility signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial complimentary)Free standard profile, paid tiers add featuresBetter Company Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, local prices requests accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that certify its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial totally free)Tradition directory, still gets real search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree standard listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree business listing tied 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, instant approvalChamber of Commerce (regional chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership cost generally applies, however the directory site listing itself is typically includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree standard listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instant listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree standard tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the few free directory sites that remains dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing across most regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree fundamental business profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to dozens of downstream directory sites and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier information: Locafy's company directory list.
GSA SER identified listHow to Build Advanced Tiered Links for 2026
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Purpose-built for software and startups. These matter more for a SaaS or app than a basic service directory site does, because the traffic is purchasers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Launch directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to release dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree fundamental company profile, greatly indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, functions as a working with channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application review directoryFree fundamental profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software directorySister site to Capterra, very same parent (Gartner)Software Application Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software directoryAlso Gartner-owned, free fundamental listingG2g2.com90+Software application review directoryFree profile, examines bring the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Contrast directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively searching 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 products Source for this area: cross-referenced from several 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that independently noted the same core set of platforms.
The link typically resides 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 website 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 tied to your email, reveals up any place Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's free backlink websites page.
They're on this list anyway because they still drive referral clicks, assist new content get indexed quicker, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send out significant direct traffic when a post really resonates in a pertinent 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 chosen years.
