How Software Optimizes SEO Acquisition in 2026
Free backlinks still operate in 2026, but just from websites with real traffic and editorial standards. The other kind (mass directory sites with a DA above 40 and nothing behind it) primarily get you a nofollow tag and a wasted afternoon. This list pulls from actual website stocks: BacklinkForMe's own free backlink sites page, Locafy's organization directory site research study, and the called platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link structure guides.
GSA SER verified list guide
Where a source reported a DA or DR figure, it's included and identified with its scale. Treat every number as directional. Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are various scoring systems, and third-party price quotes drift with time, so re-check anything you're about to spend actual time on. A few guidelines before you start sending: The majority of the sites listed below are nofollow (Google Organization Profile, Yelp, Reddit, Pinterest, and nearly every social platform are nofollow by default).
Below that, a listing hardly ever gets crawled often sufficient to matter, and it's most likely to sit next to spam. Directories cross-reference NAP (name, address, phone) information. Inconsistent information throughout listings actively hurt local SEO rather of helping it. The websites because area listed below turn down submissions that check out like an advertisement.
The majority of are nofollow, but they're still worth declaring because they develop NAP consistency, which Google and Bing both use as a local ranking signal, and due to the fact that a declared Google Organization Profile or Bing Places listing appears directly in map and local search results regardless of link value. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Business for local/map visibility, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's equivalent, faster approval than GoogleApple Company Apple Maps and Siri service resultsFacebook Business Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso works as an evaluation and messaging channelLinkedIn Business Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, doubles as a credibility signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial totally free)Free fundamental profile, paid tiers include featuresBetter Service Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, local prices applies for accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that certify its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial free)Tradition directory, still gets genuine 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 classifications require paid membershipNextdoor Businessnextdoor.com91Nofollow (partial complimentary)Hyperlocal, strong for neighborhood-facing businessesCitysearchcitysearch.com72NofollowFree listingHotfroghotfrog.com60NofollowFree, instantaneous approvalChamber of Commerce (regional chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership charge typically applies, but the directory listing itself is often includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree basic listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instantaneous listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree standard tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the few complimentary directories that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing across many regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, consists of evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree standard 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 company directory list.
GSA SER verified list guideThe Power of Daily Verified Lists Feeds
These matter more for a SaaS or app than a general service directory does, because the traffic is purchasers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Release directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to launch dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree fundamental company profile, greatly indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as a working with channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software evaluation directoryFree fundamental profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software application directorySister website to Capterra, exact same parent (Gartner)Software Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software directoryAlso Gartner-owned, free basic listingG2g2.com90+Software application evaluation directoryFree profile, examines bring the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Contrast directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively browsing for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller however appropriate trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Start-up communityFree profile plus a real conversation communityStartupStashstartupstash.com60+Curated startup directoryFree listing optionFuturepediafuturepedia.io60+AI tool directoryRelevant particularly for AI-powered products Source for this section: cross-referenced from several 2026 SaaS-directory roundups (MarketingLad, GetIntel, LaunchDirectories) that individually listed the exact same core set of platforms.
The link usually resides in your author bio or profile, not the short article 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 website hosting, really dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck submits with a connected profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile connected to your e-mail, appears any place Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's free backlink sites page.
They're on this list anyway because they still drive recommendation clicks, assist brand-new material get indexed quicker, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send out significant 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 been gone for years.
