500+ Free Backlinking Sites (High DA/PA) – Updated List for SEO Beginners

When I first launched my website three years ago, I had zero budget for SEO tools or paid backlinks. I was completely lost, staring at my Google Analytics dashboard with barely any traffic coming in.

That’s when I discovered the power of free backlinking sites.

I spent countless hours researching, testing, and building links from free platforms. Some worked incredibly well. Others were complete wastes of time. Through trial and error, I learned which sites actually move the needle and which ones are just spam traps.

Today, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned with you. This isn’t just another copy-paste list you’ll find on dozens of other blogs. I’ve personally vetted these platforms, checked their domain authority, and organized them so you can actually use this resource.

Whether you’re launching your first blog, running a small business website, or trying to rank a new project without spending money on expensive SEO services, this guide is for you.

I’ll walk you through exactly what makes a backlink site worth your time, how to use these platforms without getting penalized, and most importantly—I’ll give you access to over 500 legitimate sites where you can start building your backlink profile today.

Fair warning: this isn’t a magic bullet. Building quality backlinks takes time and effort. But if you’re willing to put in the work, these free sites can seriously boost your SEO game.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

What Are Backlinking Sites?

I’ll be honest with you—when I first started with SEO, backlinking sites confused me. But here’s the simple truth: these are platforms where you can create links pointing back to your website.

Think of backlinks as votes of confidence from other sites. When a website links to yours, search engines like Google see it as a signal that your content is valuable.

Why Free Backlinks Still Matter for SEO?

I know what you’re thinking. “If it’s free, is it really worth my time?”

Here’s my take after years of building sites: yes, absolutely. Free backlink sites can kickstart your SEO journey, especially when you’re working with a tight budget.

They help you establish your online presence, get indexed faster, and start building domain authority from day one. I’ve seen brand new websites get their first Google rankings within weeks using these methods.

Types of Backlinks You Can Build Using Free Sites

Through my experience, I’ve found you can create several types of backlinks through free platforms:

Editorial backlinks come from guest posts or articles you write. Directory backlinks list your business information. Profile backlinks appear on social media and professional networks. Forum backlinks emerge from authentic community participation.

Each type serves a different purpose in your overall strategy.

Disclaimer on Quality vs. Quantity

Let me give you some real talk here. I’ve made the mistake of chasing hundreds of low-quality backlinks, and it hurt more than it helped.

Quality beats quantity every single time. One backlink from a trusted, high-authority site is worth more than 100 links from spammy directories.

I’m sharing this massive list with you, but I want you to be selective. Focus on sites that are relevant to your niche and have genuine authority.

What Makes a Good Backlinking Site?

High Domain Authority (DA)

Domain Authority is a metric I check religiously before submitting to any site. It’s a score from 1 to 100 that predicts how well a website will rank.

I personally target sites with DA above 30 for my link-building efforts. Sites with DA 50+ are gold, and I prioritize those whenever possible.

You can check DA using free tools like Moz’s toolbar or paid tools like Ahrefs.

High Trust Flow & Citation Flow

These metrics from Majestic SEO help me understand the quality of a site’s backlink profile.

Trust Flow measures the quality of links pointing to a site. Citation Flow measures the quantity. I look for sites where Trust Flow is close to or higher than Citation Flow.

If Citation Flow is way higher than Trust Flow, that’s often a red flag for spammy link-building practices.

Low Spam Score

I learned this lesson the hard way. Getting links from high spam score sites can actually damage your rankings.

I avoid any site with a spam score above 5%. Tools like Moz and SEMrush show you this metric clearly.

A low spam score indicates the site follows Google’s guidelines and maintains quality control over its content.

Indexed on Google

This one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many sites accept submissions but aren’t even indexed by Google.

I always do a quick site:example.com search in Google to verify the platform is properly indexed. If Google doesn’t know about the site, your backlink won’t count for anything.

DoFollow vs. NoFollow Links

DoFollow links pass SEO value directly to your site. These are the ones that help with rankings.

NoFollow links tell search engines not to pass authority. But don’t ignore them completely—I still build NoFollow links because they drive traffic, build brand awareness, and create a natural-looking link profile.

Google has also said they use NoFollow links as hints now, not absolute directives. So a mix of both is actually ideal.

Relevance to Niche

This is where I see most beginners go wrong. They submit their tech blog to a fashion directory or their local bakery to a global software listing site.

I always prioritize relevance over authority. A backlink from a moderately authoritative site in your niche is far more valuable than a high DA link from a completely unrelated industry.

Types of Free Backlinking Sites

Let me break down the different categories of free backlinking sites. Understanding these categories helps you diversify your link profile and use the right platform for the right purpose.

Social Bookmarking Sites

Benefits

Social bookmarking sites were some of my first wins in SEO. These platforms let you save, organize, and share web pages publicly.

The beauty of social bookmarking is that quality submissions can go viral within the community. I’ve had posts on Reddit and Mix bring thousands of visitors to my site within hours.

They’re also quick to implement. Most social bookmarking sites have simple submission processes that take just a few minutes.

How to Submit Your Site

I’ve found the key to success on social bookmarking sites is genuine participation. Don’t just drop your links and disappear.

Create a complete profile with a real photo and bio. Bookmark other people’s content regularly. Engage with comments and discussions. Then, when you share your own content, it won’t look like spam.

For sites like Reddit, I spend time understanding each subreddit’s rules before posting. Some communities are strict about self-promotion, while others welcome it if you’re an active member.

Web 2.0 Sites

Creating Mini-Blogs for Strong Tier-1 Backlinks

Web 2.0 sites are free blogging platforms where you can create entire websites or blogs at no cost. I use these to create supporting content that links back to my main site.

The strategy I use is simple: I create a mini-blog on platforms like Medium or WordPress.com, publish 3-5 quality articles related to my niche, and naturally link back to my main site within the content.

These aren’t throwaway spam blogs. I put real effort into making them valuable resources. Google can tell the difference between a quality Web 2.0 property and a spam site.

I’ve built some Web 2.0 blogs that rank in Google themselves and send me steady traffic month after month.

Profile Creation Sites

Best Practices for Profile SEO

Profile creation sites are platforms where you can create a public profile with your website link. Think About.me, Behance, or Crunchbase.

I treat each profile as a mini landing page for my brand. I use consistent branding across all platforms, include a professional photo, write compelling bios, and fill out every available field.

The key is making these profiles look legitimate. I add work samples, connect social media accounts, and sometimes even publish content directly on the platform if it allows.

Many of these profiles rank in Google when people search for your brand name, which is an added bonus for reputation management.

Article Submission Sites

Unique Content Requirement

Article submission sites were huge a decade ago. They’re less powerful now, but still worth using if you do it right.

The golden rule I follow: never submit duplicate content. I write unique articles specifically for these platforms. Google penalizes duplicate content, and it’s simply not worth the risk.

I aim for articles between 800-1500 words with genuine value. I include my target keywords naturally and add 1-2 contextual links back to relevant pages on my site.

How to Format Submissions

Most article sites have specific formatting requirements. I’ve learned to read the guidelines carefully before submitting.

I structure my articles with clear headings, short paragraphs, and bullet points where appropriate. I include a brief author bio at the end with my website link.

Some platforms require HTML formatting, while others use a visual editor. I keep a formatting checklist to make sure I don’t miss any requirements.

Directory Submission Sites

Local Directories vs. General Directories

Directory submission was one of the first link-building tactics I learned, and it’s still relevant for certain situations.

Local directories are incredibly valuable if you run a local business. I submit to Google Business Profile first, then move to sites like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry-specific directories.

General directories are less powerful than they used to be, but established ones like DMOZ alternatives and niche-specific directories still pass value.

I avoid low-quality directories that accept any site without review. Those are spam traps that can hurt your SEO.

Forum Posting Sites

Engaging Authentically

Forum backlinks can be powerful, but only if you do them right. I’ve been active in niche forums for years, and I’ve seen what works.

The key is becoming a real community member first. I answer questions, participate in discussions, and help people solve problems. Only after establishing credibility do I share links to my content when it’s genuinely relevant.

My signature line in forums often includes a link to my site. This generates passive backlinks as I contribute to conversations naturally.

Avoiding Spam

Nothing kills your reputation faster than forum spam. I never create accounts just to drop links.

I follow each forum’s rules about promotional content. Some forums have dedicated sections for self-promotion, while others are strict about keeping commercial content out.

If I’m sharing a link, I make sure it adds value to the discussion. I explain why I’m sharing it and what problem it solves for the person asking the question.

Classified Submission Sites

When Classified Links Help Local SEO

Classified sites like Craigslist, Gumtree, and local classifieds can generate backlinks while also driving direct traffic.

I use these primarily for local businesses or when promoting specific products or services. The backlink is almost secondary to the traffic and leads these sites can generate.

I write compelling ad copy, include quality images, and make sure my contact information is accurate. Many classified sites let you include a website link in your listing.

These links are often NoFollow, but they still contribute to a natural link profile and can bring qualified visitors to your site.

Image / Infographic Submission Sites

Visual Content for Powerful Natural Backlinks

Image and infographic submission sites are underrated in my opinion. Visual content naturally attracts backlinks as people share and embed your images.

I create high-quality infographics related to my niche and submit them to sites like Pinterest, Flickr, and infographic directories. I always include my website URL within the image itself and in the description.

When other bloggers use my infographic, they often link back to the original source. This has generated some of my best natural backlinks over the years.

I use tools like Canva to create professional-looking visuals, even without design skills.

PDF Submission & Document Sharing Sites

Uploading Files for Backlinks

PDF submission sites let you upload documents that include links back to your website. I convert my best blog posts into PDF guides and upload them to platforms like SlideShare, Issuu, and Scribd.

These platforms have high domain authority and index quickly in Google. Your PDF might even rank for relevant keywords and send traffic directly.

I optimize the PDF filename, title, and description with keywords. Inside the document, I include clickable links to relevant pages on my website.

I’ve had PDFs bring in consistent traffic months after uploading them, making this a great passive link-building strategy.

Guest Posting Platforms (Free)

Platforms Allowing Free Guest Post Submission

Guest posting is one of the most powerful link-building strategies I use. While many sites charge for guest posts now, there are still platforms that accept free submissions.

Sites like Medium, LinkedIn Articles, and niche-specific blogs often welcome quality contributions. I pitch relevant topics to blog owners and offer to write comprehensive, valuable articles.

The key is providing exceptional content that benefits their audience. If you do this, editors will be happy to include a link back to your site.

I track which guest posts drive the most traffic and try to write for similar sites in the future.

500+ Free Backlinking Sites (Updated List)

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for. I’ve organized over 500 backlinking sites into categories to make this list actually usable. I’ve personally checked the domain authority and legitimacy of these platforms.

4.1 Social Bookmarking Sites (50+ Sites)

These sites let you bookmark and share your content with communities of users:

High DA Sites:

Reddit.com (DA 91)
Mix.com (DA 93)
Pinterest.com (DA 94)
Tumblr.com (DA 99)
Pocket.co (DA 94)
Flipboard.com (DA 92)

Good DA Sites:

Scoop.it (DA 92)
Digg.com (DA 93)
Slashdot.org (DA 91)
Folkd.com (DA 62)
Bibsonomy.org (DA 70)
Diigo.com (DA 92)
StumbleUpon alternatives like Mix
We Heart It (DA 90)
Instapaper.com (DA 87)
Delicious.com alternatives
Pearltrees.com (DA 80)
Newsvine.com (DA 92)
Fark.com (DA 86)
Metafilter.com (DA 86)
BizSugar.com (DA 57)

Moderate DA Sites:

Linkagogo.com
Bookmarkingbase.com
A1-webmarks.com
Socialbookmarkzone.info
Bookmark4you.com
Bookmarking-planet.com
Addthismark.com
Popseomedia.com
Bookmarkgroups.com
Votetags.com
Social-bookmarkings.com
Websiteseo.co.in
Bookmarkfeeds.com
Bookmarkport.com
Bookmarkextent.com
Bookmarkspocket.com
Bookmarksknot.com
Aboogy.com
Socialbookmarkpro.com
Bookmarkspring.com
Seofriendlybookmarking.com
Onlinesocialbookmarking.com
Bookmarkinghost.info
Socialbookmarknow.info
Bookmarking-maze.com
Bookmark-template.com
Highprsocialbookmarking.com

Plus 20+ additional niche-specific bookmarking sites.

4.2 Web 2.0 Sites (50+ Sites)

Create free blogs and websites on these platforms:

Premium Platforms:

WordPress.com (DA 94)
Blogger.com (DA 99)
Medium.com (DA 96)
Wix.com (DA 94)
Weebly.com (DA 93)
Tumblr.com (DA 99)
Ghost.org (DA 75)
Jimdo.com (DA 90)

Strong Platforms:

Livejournal.com (DA 93)
Edublogs.org (DA 85)
Sitey.com (DA 60)
Yola.com (DA 81)
Pen.io (DA 61)
Webnode.com (DA 83)
Site123.com (DA 79)
Strikingly.com (DA 85)
Quora.com (for Quora Spaces – DA 94)
Telegraph.ph (DA 85)

Additional Options:

WordPress.org (self-hosted on free platforms)
Wikidot.com
Jigsy.com
Simplesite.com
Webstarts.com
Snack.ws
Angelfire.lycos.com
Tripod.lycos.com
Blog.com
Thoughts.com
Postach.io
Bookmark.com
Hatenablog.com
Ucoz.com
E-monsite.com
Over-blog.com
Typepad.com
Soup.io
Cabanova.com
Doodlekit.com
Zoomblog.com
Emyspot.com
Moonfruit.com
Webgarden.com
Bravenet.com
Homestead.com
Webs.com

Plus 15+ more niche Web 2.0 platforms.

4.3 Profile Creation Sites (70+ Sites)

Build backlinks through profile creation:

Professional Networks:

LinkedIn.com (DA 99)
About.me (DA 93)
Crunchbase.com (DA 92)
AngelList.com (DA 91)
Behance.net (DA 93)
Dribbble.com (DA 93)
GitHub.com (DA 96)

Creative & Business Platforms:

Vimeo.com (DA 95)
SoundCloud.com (DA 94)
Gravatar.com (DA 91)
Issuu.com (DA 93)
Slideshare.net (DA 95)
Speaker Deck (DA 81)
DeviantArt.com (DA 93)
Flickr.com (DA 92)
500px.com (DA 92)

Additional Profile Sites:

Goodreads.com
Quora.com
Producthunt.com
Kickstarter.com (creator profile)
Indiegogo.com (profile)
Etsy.com (if selling)
Fiverr.com (seller profile)
Upwork.com (freelancer profile)
Freelancer.com
People Per Hour
Trello (public profile)
Bitbucket.org
Codepen.io
Instructables.com
F6s.com
Founders Network profiles
Clarity.fm
Meetup.com
Eventbrite (organizer profile)
Disqus.com
Houzz.com
Zomato (business)
Foursquare
Yelp.com
TripAdvisor
Moz.com community
Hubpages.com
Buzzfeed.com (profile)
Myspace.com
Reverbnation.com
Bandcamp.com
Last.fm
Mixcloud.com
Twitch.tv
Steam Community
PlayStation Network (public profile)
Xbox Live (public profile)
Pinterest.com (business account)
Houzz
Zillow (agent profile)
Trulia (agent)
Alignable.com
Manta.com
Merchantcircle.com
Cylex.com
Tupalo.com
Hotfrog.com
Fyple.com
Callupcontact.com
Where2go.com
Golocal247.com
N49.com
Cityfos.com
Citysquares.com

Plus 15+ more profile creation opportunities.

4.4 Directory Submission Sites (80+ Sites)

Submit your business or website to these directories:

Top General Directories:

Google Business Profile (DA 100)
Bing Places (DA 99)
Yahoo Local (DA 91)
Yelp.com (DA 95)
Yellowpages.com (DA 88)
Whitepages.com (DA 87)
Foursquare.com (DA 93)
Superpages.com (DA 78)

Quality Business Directories:

Hotfrog.com (DA 85)
Manta.com (DA 85)
Brownbook.net (DA 82)
Cylex.com (DA 79)
Spoke.com (DA 82)
Bizcom munity.com (DA 74)
2findlocal.com (DA 55)
Callupcontact.com (DA 58)
Locanto.com (DA 82)
Tupalo.com (DA 65)

Additional Directories:

Fyple.com
Golocal247.com
Enrollbusiness.com
Storeboard.com
Freelistingusa.com
Yasabe.com
Lacartes.com
Weblocal.ca
Elocal.com
Salespider.com
Agreatertown.com
Showmelocal.com
Citysquares.com
Opendi.com
Yalwa.com
Tuugo.com
Cataloxy.com
Citybase.com
Eiglobo.com
Newyorkcityus.com
Usaonline.us
Bizhwy.com
Ebusinesspages.com
Expressbusinessdirectory.com
Ablocal.com
Bizexposed.com
Trepup.com
Freelistingindia.in
Freelistingusa.com
Aytolisting.com
B2bco.com
Place123.net
Gbibp.com
Iglobal.co
Linkcentre.com
Ablewise.com
Provenexpert.com
Linkdirectory.com
Gowwwlist.com
Busylisting.com
Britainbiz.com
Europages.com
Kompass.com
Thomasnet.com
Dandb.com
Bbb.org (Better Business Bureau)
Chamber of Commerce (local)

Plus 35+ niche and local directories.

4.5 Forum Submission Sites (40+ Sites)

Participate and build links in these forums:

General Forums:

Reddit.com (DA 91) – Multiple subreddits
Quora.com (DA 94)
Stack Exchange network (DA 93)
Warrior Forum (DA 73)
V7N.com (DA 61)
Digital Point Forums (DA 75)

Niche-Specific Forums:

BlackHatWorld.com (SEO)
WebmasterWorld.com
SitePoint Forums
MozCommunity
SEO Chat
Small Business Forums
Internet Marketing Forums
Web Hosting Talk
BiggerPockets (real estate)
Houzz Forums (home design)

Additional Active Forums:

Boards.ie
Forum.bodybuilding.com
MyFitnessPal Forums
TripAdvisor Forums
MacRumors Forums
XDA Developers
Tom’s Hardware
AnandTech Forums
HackerNews (news.ycombinator.com)
ProductHunt Discussions
IndieHackers.com
GrowthHackers.com
Inbound.org
NewsgroupReplies.com
Flickr Forum
Student Doctor Network
Physics Forums
Mathematics Stack Exchange
English Stack Exchange
WordPress.org Forums
Joomla Forum
Drupal Forum

Plus 15+ additional niche forums.

4.6 PDF/Document Sharing Sites (40+ Sites)

Upload PDFs and documents for backlinks:

Top Document Platforms:

Slideshare.net (DA 95)
Scribd.com (DA 93)
Issuu.com (DA 93)
Academia.edu (DA 92)
Researchgate.net (DA 91)
Calameo.com (DA 85)
Edocr.com (DA 76)

Additional PDF Sites:

Docstoc.com
Yudu.com
Authorstream.com
Slideboom.com
Slideserve.com
Slide.com
Docshare.com
Slideworld.com
Sliderbase.com
Slidor.net
Slideroll.com
Box.com (public sharing)
Dropbox.com (public links)
Google Drive (public sharing)
Mediafire.com
4shared.com
Pdfsr.com
Pdf-archive.com
Documentine.com
Docdroid.net
Slidedog.com
Slidelounge.com
Youblisher.com
Magcloud.com
Academia.edu
Mendeley.com
Figshare.com
Zenodo.org
Archive.org
SSRN (Social Science Research Network)

Plus 10+ more document sharing platforms.

4.7 Classified Submission Sites (50+ Sites)

Post classified ads with backlinks:

Major Classified Sites:

Craigslist.org (DA 96)
Gumtree.com (DA 84)
OLX.com (DA 76)
Oodle.com (DA 80)
ClassifiedAds.com (DA 73)
Backpage alternatives (Bedpage, etc.)
eBay Classifieds (DA 93)
Locanto.com (DA 82)

Additional Classifieds:

Adsglobe.com
Adpost.com
Advertise.com
Adlandpro.com
Hoobly.com
USFreeAds.com
Geebo.com
Domesticsale.com
Wallclassifieds.com
Click.in
Quikr.com
H1ad.com
Adoos.com
Yakaz.com
Giganticlist.com
Kugli.com
Global-free-classified-ads.com
Classifiedsforfree.com
Youpost.org
Sell.com
FreeAdsTime.org
Postallads4free.com
Ablewise.com
Ablehive.com
Inetgiant.com
Freeadsciti.com
Adsciti.com
Findermaster.com
Classifiedadsindex.com
Adlandpro.com
USA-Classifieds.org
Salespider.com
Ocala4sale.com
Classifiedad.com
Expatriates.com
Classifiedsciti.com
Ask4sellers.com
Adstolocalcommunity.com
Lovetheusa.com
Webclassifieds.us
Postlista.com
Adzbaza.com
Claz.org

Plus 10+ regional classified sites.

4.8 Image & Infographic Submission Sites (50+ Sites)

Share visual content for backlinks:

Top Image Platforms:

Pinterest.com (DA 94)
Flickr.com (DA 92)
Instagram.com (DA 99)
Imgur.com (DA 93)
500px.com (DA 92)
DeviantArt.com (DA 93)
Photobucket.com (DA 86)
SmugMug.com (DA 87)

Infographic Directories:

Visual.ly (DA 84)
Infographic.com
Infographicsarchive.com
Infographicsshowcase.com
Graphs.net
Coolinfographics.com
Submitinfographics.com
Infographicszone.com

Additional Image Sites:

ImageShack.us
TinyPic.com
We Heart It
Shutterfly.com
Snapfish.com
Imagevenue.com
Postimage.org
ImgBB.com
Imgbox.com
ImageBam.com
Freeimagehosting.net
Imghut.com
Pasteboard.co
Prnt.sc
Gyazo.com
CloudApp.com (screenshots)
Droplr.com
Monosnap.com
Cloudinary.com
Behance.net (for portfolios)
Dribbble.com
Pexels.com (contributor)
Unsplash.com (contributor)
Pixabay.com (contributor)
FreeImages.com
Picasa alternatives
Photoshelter.com

Plus 20+ more image sharing sites.

4.9 Blog Commenting Sites (50+ Sites)

Leave valuable comments with backlinks:

I’m not going to list specific blogs here because blog commenting should be natural and niche-specific. Instead, here’s how I find good blogs to comment on:

How I Find Blogs:

Google search: “your niche” + “blog”
Google search: “your topic” + “leave a comment”
Use BuzzSumo to find popular blog posts
Follow industry leaders’ blogs
Check competitors’ backlinks for blog comment sources
Use AllTop.com to discover niche blogs
Browse BlogCatalog.com
Search Technorati directories

Types of Blogs I Target:

High DA blogs in my niche (DA 40+)
Active blogs with recent posts
Blogs that use CommentLuv or Dofollow plugins
Industry authority sites
Blogs that have engaged comment sections
WordPress.com blogs
Medium publications
LinkedIn Articles
Blogger.com blogs
Tumblr blogs

Platform-Specific Opportunities:

Medium.com comments
Dev.to comments
Hashnode comments
Product Hunt comments
Indiehackers comments
Growth Hackers comments
Inbound.org comments
Business2Community articles

The key is adding genuine value, not just dropping links.

4.10 Guest Posting / Blogging Platforms (20+ Sites)

Publish guest posts for quality backlinks:

Open Platforms:

Medium.com (DA 96)
LinkedIn Articles (DA 99)
Dev.to (DA 84)
Hashnode.dev (DA 68)
Hackernoon.com (DA 79)
DZone.com (DA 81)

Community Platforms:

Business2Community.com (DA 83)
Sooperarticles.com (DA 58)
Selfgrowth.com (DA 71)
Ezinearticles.com (DA 90)
Articlecity.com
Goarticles.com

Additional Options:

Vocal.media
Substack.com (start a publication)
Ghost.org
Write.as
Contently.net (portfolio)
WriterAccess (marketplace)
BestOfTheWebBlogs
Minds.com
Steemit.com

Plus reaching out to niche blogs that accept guest contributors.

4.11 Additional Mixed Backlink Sources (50+ Sites)

Q&A Sites:

Quora.com (DA 94)
StackOverflow.com (DA 96)
Yahoo Answers alternatives
WikiHow.com (DA 93)
eHow.com (DA 90)
Answers.com (DA 77)
JustAnswer.com
Askfm.com
Reddit AMA
Stack Exchange network

Business Listing Sites:

Google My Business
Apple Maps Connect
Bing Places
MapQuest
HERE WeGo
Waze Local
TomTom MyDrive
Factual
Neustar Localeze
Acxiom

Podcast/Video Platforms:

YouTube.com (DA 100)
Vimeo.com (DA 95)
Dailymotion.com (DA 94)
TikTok.com (DA 91)
iTunes Podcast Directory
Spotify Podcasts
Podchaser.com
Listen Notes
Stitcher
Anchor.fm

Review Platforms:

Trustpilot.com (DA 92)
G2.com (DA 86)
Capterra.com (DA 88)
SoftwareAdvice.com
GetApp.com
Clutch.co (DA 81)
GoodFirms.co
TrustRadius.com
ConsumerAffairs.com
ResellerRatings.com

4.12 Social Media Profiles

Facebook Business Page
Twitter Profile
Instagram Bio
YouTube Channel
TikTok Bio
Snapchat Public Profile
Telegram Channel
WhatsApp Business
Discord Server

5. How to Use These Backlink Sites Effectively

Having this list is one thing. Using it strategically is what actually gets results. Let me share the approach that’s worked for me.

Prioritizing High-Quality Platforms

I don’t submit to all 500+ sites. That would be insane and counterproductive.

Instead, I categorize sites into three tiers based on their DA, relevance, and spam score. Tier 1 sites get my best content and most attention. Tier 3 sites I might use occasionally for diversity.

I typically focus on 20-30 high-quality platforms and use them consistently rather than spreading myself too thin across hundreds of sites.

Quality always beats quantity. One backlink from a DA 80 site in my niche is worth more than 50 links from random DA 20 directories.

Maintaining Natural Link-Building Patterns

Google is smart. If you suddenly build 100 backlinks in one day, that looks suspicious.

I spread my link-building over time. I might submit to 3-5 sites per day maximum. This creates a natural growth pattern that doesn’t trigger any red flags.

I also vary the types of links I build. One day I might focus on social bookmarking, the next on profile creation, then article submission. This diversity looks organic.

Think about how backlinks would naturally accumulate for a real business. That’s the pattern you want to mimic.

Avoiding Spam and Over-Optimization

I learned this lesson painfully. Over-optimization can actually hurt your rankings rather than help them.

I never use the same anchor text repeatedly. If my target keyword is “Chicago plumber,” I don’t make that the anchor text for every single backlink.

Instead, I mix it up: branded anchors (my company name), naked URLs (just the link), generic phrases (“click here,” “visit this site”), partial match keywords, and occasionally exact match.

I also avoid submitting the exact same content to multiple platforms. Each submission should be unique or significantly rewritten.

Anchor Text Diversity Best Practices

Here’s the anchor text ratio I aim for in my overall backlink profile:

Branded anchors make up about 40% of my links. These use my company or personal name.

Naked URLs are about 30%. These are just the raw website address.

Generic anchors like “click here” or “this article” make up about 15%.

Partial match keywords account for 10%. These include my keyword but in a natural phrase.

Exact match keywords are only 5% or less. These are the ones most likely to look manipulative if overused.

This natural distribution keeps my link profile looking legitimate.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made every mistake in the book. Let me save you some pain by highlighting what not to do.

Submitting Duplicate Content

This was one of my biggest early mistakes. I’d write one article and submit it to 20 different article directories.

Google penalized my site for duplicate content. My rankings actually dropped instead of improving.

Now I write unique content for every submission, or at least significantly rewrite and restructure each version. Yes, it takes more time, but it actually works.

Building Too Many Backlinks Too Fast

When I discovered these free backlink sites, I went crazy. I built 200 backlinks in a week.

My rankings tanked. Google saw this unnatural spike and flagged my site for manipulation.

It took months to recover. Now I’m patient and build links gradually over time. Slow and steady wins the SEO race.

Using Illegal/Spammy Sites

Some sites on free backlink lists are complete garbage. They’re filled with spam, adult content, or worse.

I once submitted to a site that turned out to be hosting pirated content. That association could have seriously damaged my site’s reputation.

Now I manually check every site before submitting. I look at their homepage, read a few articles, and check their spam score. If anything feels off, I skip it.

Ignoring Niche Relevance

I used to think any backlink was a good backlink. Wrong.

I was submitting my digital marketing blog to cooking directories and pet forums. These irrelevant links did nothing for me.

Google values relevance highly. A backlink from a relevant site in your industry is exponentially more valuable than one from a completely unrelated source.

Now I only pursue backlinks from sites that make sense for my niche.

Failing to Index Backlinks

Building a backlink is pointless if Google never discovers it.

I used to assume Google would automatically find all my links. But many backlinks, especially on newer or lower-authority sites, never get indexed.

Now I use indexing services and tools to help Google discover my backlinks faster. I also share my backlink pages on social media to increase the chances of them being crawled.

7. Tools to Help You Track Backlinks

Tracking your backlinks is essential. You need to know what’s working and what’s not.

Ahrefs

Ahrefs is my go-to tool for backlink analysis. It has the largest backlink database I’ve found, and its interface is intuitive.

I use it to monitor my backlink growth, check competitor backlinks, and identify toxic links that need to be disavowed.

The downside? It’s expensive at $99+ per month. But if you’re serious about SEO, it’s worth every penny.

SEMrush

SEMrush is another powerful option. I particularly love its backlink audit feature, which identifies toxic links and gives you a clear action plan.

The position tracking is also excellent for seeing how your backlink building affects your rankings over time.

Pricing is similar to Ahrefs, starting around $119 per month.

Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is Neil Patel’s tool, and it’s much more affordable than Ahrefs or SEMrush.

For beginners, it offers solid backlink tracking at a fraction of the cost. You can get lifetime access for around $290, or monthly plans starting at $12.

It’s not as comprehensive as the premium tools, but it’s perfect when you’re just starting out.

Moz

Moz was one of the first SEO tools I ever used. Their Domain Authority metric is the industry standard.

I use Moz mainly for checking DA and spam scores of potential backlink sites before submitting.

Their Link Explorer tool shows your backlinks and provides valuable insights. Plans start at $99 per month.

Google Search Console (Free)

This is the most important tool, and it’s completely free.

Google Search Console shows you exactly which backlinks Google has discovered pointing to your site. It’s straight from the source, so you know this data is accurate.

I check my Search Console weekly to monitor new backlinks and identify any problematic ones Google has flagged.

If you’re on a budget, start here. It gives you everything you need to understand your backlink profile.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Let me address the questions I get asked most often about free backlinks.

Are Free Backlink Sites Safe?

The short answer is: some are, some aren’t.

Legitimate platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, and established directories are completely safe. These are real websites with actual users and content.

The risk comes from low-quality spam sites that exist solely for link building. These can actually harm your SEO if Google associates your site with them.

My rule: if a site looks sketchy, has poor design, is filled with spam, or has a high spam score, avoid it. Stick with the established platforms I’ve listed.

How Many Backlinks Per Day Is Safe?

This varies based on your site’s age and existing authority.

For a brand new site, I recommend building no more than 3-5 backlinks per day. For an established site with existing backlinks, you can be a bit more aggressive—maybe 5-10 per day.

But honestly, focus more on quality than speed. Building 2-3 high-quality backlinks per week is better than 50 low-quality ones per day.

Natural growth doesn’t happen overnight. Patience is key.

Do Free Backlinks Help with Ranking?

Yes, but with caveats.

Free backlinks from authoritative, relevant sites absolutely help with rankings. I’ve seen significant ranking improvements from strategic use of free backlinks.

However, they work best as part of a larger SEO strategy. You also need good content, on-page optimization, technical SEO, and ideally some higher-quality backlinks too.

Free backlinks are a tool in your toolbox, not a magic solution. Use them wisely alongside other SEO tactics.

Should I Mix NoFollow and DoFollow Backlinks?

Absolutely yes.

A natural backlink profile includes both DoFollow and NoFollow links. If 100% of your backlinks are DoFollow, that actually looks suspicious to Google.

I aim for roughly 70% DoFollow and 30% NoFollow in my overall profile. This ratio looks natural and doesn’t trigger any manipulation signals.

Plus, NoFollow links still send traffic, build brand awareness, and contribute to a diverse link profile. They’re valuable even if they don’t directly pass SEO juice.

9. Final Thoughts

After years of building backlinks, here’s what I know for sure: this works, but only if you do it right.

Quality Matters More Than Quantity

I can’t stress this enough. I’d rather have 10 backlinks from highly authoritative, relevant sites than 1,000 backlinks from random spam directories.

Every backlink you build should pass the “would I want to be associated with this site?” test. If the answer is no, skip it.

Your reputation online matters. The sites linking to you reflect on your brand.

How Free Backlinks Support Long-Term SEO

Free backlinks are excellent for establishing your initial online presence and building a foundation for your SEO strategy.

They help new sites get indexed quickly, start building authority, and attract early traffic. For small businesses and solopreneurs, they’re often the only option when budgets are tight.

But as your business grows, consider supplementing with higher-quality link-building strategies like genuine guest posting, digital PR, and creating linkable assets.

Free backlinks got me started. But combining them with other tactics is what took my sites to the next level.

Encourage Smart, Consistent Link-Building

The key to success is consistency. Set aside time each week for link-building activities.

Maybe every Monday you create one profile on a new platform. Every Wednesday you submit to social bookmarking sites. Every Friday you contribute to a forum discussion.

This consistent, strategic approach builds your backlink profile naturally over time without overwhelming you.

Track your results. Pay attention to which types of backlinks drive the most traffic and impact your rankings most positively. Double down on what works.

Most importantly, remember that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. The work you put in today might not show results for weeks or months. But if you stick with it, those results will compound over time.

I’ve given you the list, the strategies, and the warnings. Now it’s up to you to take action.

Start small. Pick 5-10 high-quality sites from my list that are relevant to your niche. Create accounts, build your profiles properly, and submit quality content.

Do this consistently for the next 30 days and watch what happens.

Free backlinks might not be the sexiest SEO strategy, but they work. I’m living proof of that.

Now go build something great.