How Automation Redefines SEO Acquisition in 2026
Free backlinks still work in 2026, however just from websites with real traffic and editorial requirements., Locafy's organization directory site research, and the named platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link structure guides.
Where a source reported a DA or DR figure, it's included and identified with its scale. A few guidelines before you start submitting: Most of the sites below are nofollow (Google Organization Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and almost every social platform are nofollow by default).
Directory sites cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) data. The websites in that area below turn down submissions that check out like an ad.
The majority of are nofollow, but they're still worth claiming since they develop NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both use as a regional ranking signal, and because a declared Google Organization Profile or Bing Places listing reveals up straight in map and local search results despite link worth. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Service for local/map exposure, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's equivalent, faster approval than GoogleApple Service Apple Maps and Siri business resultsFacebook Business Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso functions as a review and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a credibility signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial totally free)Free fundamental profile, paid tiers include featuresBetter Service Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, local pricing makes an application for accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that license its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial free)Legacy directory, still gets genuine search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree standard listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree organization listing tied to map dataMantamanta.com72NofollowFree tier, SMB-focusedAngi (formerly 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 (local chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership cost generally uses, but the directory listing itself is typically includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree basic listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instantaneous listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree basic tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the couple of free directories that stays 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 data to dozens of downstream directory sites and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier data: Locafy's service directory site list.
[target2:anchor_exact1]8 Crucial Steps for Scaling Backlink Volume
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Purpose-built for software and start-ups. These matter more for a SaaS or app than a basic service 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 release dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree standard company profile, greatly indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as a hiring channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application evaluation directoryFree standard profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister website to Capterra, same parent (Gartner)Software Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, free basic listingG2g2.com90+Software evaluation directoryFree profile, evaluates carry the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Comparison directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively browsing for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller sized but appropriate trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Startup communityFree profile plus a real discussion communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated startup directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant particularly for AI-powered items Source for this section: cross-referenced from several 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that separately listed the same core set of platforms.
The link usually lives in your author bio or profile, not the article body, so the SEO value is smaller sized per link, however the platforms themselves have huge domain authority and frequently outrank a new site for its own name in search results. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull posts, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog, Google-ownedGitHub site hosting, truly dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck submits with a connected profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile connected to your email, shows up anywhere Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's totally free backlink websites page.
They're on this list anyway because they still drive referral clicks, assist brand-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 closed down by Mozilla in July 2025 and Delicious has been opted for years.
