The Ultimate 2026 SEO Link Lists for Growth
Free backlinks still work in 2026, but only from sites with genuine traffic and editorial requirements., Locafy's organization 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 quotes drift over time, so re-check anything you're about to invest genuine time on. A couple of rules before you start sending: Many of the sites listed below are nofollow (Google Company Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and almost every social platform are nofollow by default).
Directory sites cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) data. The sites in that area listed below turn down submissions that read like an ad.
Most 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 declared Google Business Profile or Bing Places listing appears straight in map and local search engine result despite link value. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Service for local/map visibility, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's comparable, much faster approval than GoogleApple Business Apple Maps and Siri business resultsFacebook Service Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso operates as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Company Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a trustworthiness signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial complimentary)Free standard profile, paid tiers include featuresBetter Organization Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, regional pricing obtains accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that accredit its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial totally free)Legacy directory site, still gets genuine search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree fundamental listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree business listing tied to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (previously 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 (local chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership cost normally applies, but the directory site listing itself is often includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree fundamental listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instant listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree fundamental tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the couple of totally free directories that remains dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing across most regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree basic business profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds data to lots of downstream directories and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier data: Locafy's business directory list.
GSA SER verified listRobust Backlink Topology for Competitive 2026 Niches
These matter more for a SaaS or app than a basic organization directory does, due to the fact that the traffic is purchasers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Release directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to launch dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree standard company profile, greatly indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as a hiring channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software evaluation directoryFree standard profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister website to Capterra, exact same parent (Gartner)Software Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, complimentary standard listingG2g2.com90+Software application review directoryFree profile, examines bring the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Contrast directoryHigh buyer intent, users are actively searching for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller but relevant trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Start-up communityFree profile plus a real discussion communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated startup directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant specifically for AI-powered items Source for this area: cross-referenced from several 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that individually noted the exact same core set of platforms.
The link generally lives in your author bio or profile, not the article body, so the SEO value is smaller per link, however the platforms themselves have huge domain authority and typically outrank a new website 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 site, Google-ownedGitHub site hosting, genuinely dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck uploads with a connected 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 complimentary backlink websites page.
They're on this list anyhow due to the fact that they still drive referral clicks, assist new content get indexed quicker, and (for Pinterest and Reddit particularly) 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 shut down by Mozilla in July 2025 and Delicious has been opted for years.
