How Automation Scales SEO Discovery for 2026
Free backlinks still work in 2026, however only from sites with genuine traffic and editorial standards., Locafy's service directory research, and the called platforms Ahrefs and Backlinko point to in their own link building guides.

Where a source reported a DA or DR figure, it's included and labeled with its scale. Treat every number as directional. Moz's DA and Ahrefs' DR are different scoring systems, and third-party quotes wander in time, so re-check anything you will spend actual time on. A couple of guidelines before you start submitting: Most of the websites 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) information. The websites in that area below turn down submissions that read like an advertisement.
Many 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 because a claimed Google Company Profile or Bing Places listing appears straight in map and local search engine result regardless of link worth. SiteURLReported DAFollowNotesGoogle Organization for local/map presence, not optionalBing Placesbingplaces.com93NofollowBing's comparable, quicker approval than GoogleApple Business Apple Maps and Siri company resultsFacebook Organization Pagefacebook.com96NofollowAlso operates as a review and messaging channelLinkedIn Company Pagelinkedin.com98-99NofollowB2B-relevant, functions as a credibility signalYelpyelp.com93Nofollow (partial complimentary)Free fundamental profile, paid tiers add featuresBetter Organization Bureau (BBB)bbb.org91NofollowFree accredited-status application, regional pricing uses for accreditation itselfFoursquarefoursquare.com92NofollowStill indexed by other map apps that certify its dataYellowPages.comyellowpages.com88Nofollow (partial complimentary)Tradition directory site, still gets genuine search trafficSuperpagessuperpages.com82NofollowFree basic listingMapQuestmapquest.com88NofollowFree service listing tied 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 (local chapter)chamberofcommerce.com66VariesMembership fee generally applies, but the directory listing itself is often includedLocal.comlocal.com62NofollowFree fundamental listingShowMeLocalshowmelocal.com52NofollowFree, instant listingEZLocalezlocal.com52NofollowFree fundamental tierUSCity.netuscity.net46NofollowCity-organized directoryBrownbook.netbrownbook.net64DofollowOne of the few totally free directories that stays dofollowCylexcylex.com62NofollowFree listing throughout most regionsiBeginibegin.com45NofollowFree, Canada/US focusedTupalotupalo.com54NofollowFree, includes evaluation functionalitySpoke.comspoke.com58NofollowFree standard business profileData Axle (InfoUSA)dataaxle.com76N/ AFeeds information to lots of downstream directories and GPS systems Source for the directory-tier data: Locafy's organization directory site list.
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Advanced Methods for Efficient Link Harvesting
These matter more for a SaaS or app than a basic business directory does, because the traffic is buyers actively comparing tools. SiteURLReported DR/DACategoryNotesProduct Huntproducthunt.com90+Release directoryFree launch, ranking is time-boxed to launch dayCrunchbasecrunchbase.com92Company profileFree fundamental business profile, heavily indexedAngelList (Wellfound)wellfound.com80+Startup/talent directoryFree listing, doubles as an employing channelCapterracapterra.com85+Software application review directoryFree fundamental profile, part of Gartner Digital MarketsGetAppgetapp.com80+Software directorySister site to Capterra, very same moms and dad (Gartner)Software Advicesoftwareadvice.com80+Software application directoryAlso Gartner-owned, complimentary basic listingG2g2.com90+Software review directoryFree profile, examines bring the most SEO and trust weightAlternativeToalternativeto.net80+Comparison directoryHigh purchaser intent, users are actively searching for a swapSaaSHubsaashub.com60+SaaS directoryFree listing, smaller sized but pertinent trafficStackSharestackshare.io70+Tech stack directoryFree, developer-facing audienceIndie Hackersindiehackers.com80+Startup communityFree profile plus a genuine conversation 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 individually noted the very same core set of platforms.
The link generally resides in your author bio or profile, not the short article body, so the SEO value is smaller per link, but the platforms themselves have massive domain authority and frequently outrank a new site for its own name in search results page. SiteURLReported DAFollowWhat you publishMediummedium.com95NofollowFull articles, profile bio linkWordPress.comwordpress.com95NofollowFree hosted blogBloggerblogger.com94NofollowFree hosted blog site, Google-ownedGitHub site hosting, genuinely dofollowSlideShareslideshare.net95NofollowPresentation/ deck submits with a linked profileNotion (public page)notion.so94NofollowPublic docs/pages, indexable if shared publiclyGravatargravatar.com94NofollowProfile tied to your email, appears any place Gravatar is usedSoundCloudsoundcloud.com94NofollowAudio uploads with profile link Source: BacklinkForMe's complimentary backlink websites page.
They're on this list anyway due to the fact that they still drive recommendation clicks, assist brand-new material get indexed faster, and (for Pinterest and Reddit specifically) can send out meaningful direct traffic when a post in fact 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 been gone for years.