Free SaaS Directories for Backlinks: 30 Sites, Link Types and How to Verify

The fastest way to give a brand-new SaaS its first backlinks is directory submissions. It is not glamorous, and it will not replace great content, but it is how most indie products go from zero referring domains to a profile Google takes seriously.

The problem is that free directory lists are full of dead sites, link farms and places that quietly mark every link nofollow. This guide gives you a cleaner starting list, tells you which ones were reported dofollow, and shows you how to check for yourself in under a minute.

All Domain Ratings and link types below are snapshots from the linked sources, checked on 3 November 2026. They change. Verify before you rely on them.

Why free directories still help in 2026

A backlink from a directory is not a strong editorial endorsement. But for a new domain, directory links do three useful things:

• Discovery. Google finds your site faster when reputable, frequently crawled pages link to it.
• Baseline authority. Dozens of referring domains move you from "unknown" to "small but real". See what is Domain Rating.
• Brand consistency. The same name, description and URL across many sites helps search engines and AI assistants understand who you are.

They are the foundation. Content, tools and genuine mentions build on top. Our guide to backlinks for a new SaaS covers the next layer.

Dofollow vs nofollow in one minute

A dofollow link counts as a vote for your site in search engines. A nofollow link (marked rel="nofollow", ugc or sponsored) asks search engines not to pass ranking credit. Nofollow links still bring visitors and trust. For the full picture, read dofollow vs nofollow backlinks.

Free directories reported as dofollow

From SubmitSaaS's public table, which lists DR, type and link attribute:

Free dofollow with a badge

These launch platforms give a free followed link if you embed their badge on your site:

We list our own DR honestly: IndieDaddy is a young directory. What we offer instead is a human-reviewed listing, a fair weekly launch, and a product page that keeps working for you. Our guide on free Product Hunt alternatives with dofollow links explains the badge rules in detail.

Worth it even though they were reported nofollow

These came up as nofollow on the free tier in the SubmitSaaS table, but they are reputable, indexed and can send real visitors:

Review and comparison sites (mostly for trust, not links)

G2, Capterra, GetApp, Software Advice, TrustRadius, AlternativeTo and SourceForge rank on Google for buyer searches. Links are often nofollow or redirected, but a profile with a few reviews helps conversion. Prioritise them if you sell B2B.

How to verify a backlink yourself

Never trust a list, including this one, without checking. It takes a minute:

1. Open your published listing on the directory (not the submission form).
2. Right-click the link to your website and choose Inspect.
3. Look at the <a> tag:
   • No rel attribute, or rel="noopener" only: followed.
   • rel="nofollow", rel="ugc" or rel="sponsored": not followed.
4. Check the href points directly to your domain, not to a redirect like /out?url=.
5. Check the page is indexable: no noindex meta tag, and searching site: plus the listing URL on Google eventually shows it.

Record the result in your tracking sheet. Re-check after a month; some directories change attributes after review.

A submission routine that saves hours

• Prepare a listing kit once: name, tagline under 60 characters, 160-character description, 300-word description, category, pricing, features, logo, screenshots.
• Tag your links with UTM parameters so you know which directories send visitors. The free Campaign Link Builder does it in seconds.
• Submit in batches of five to ten per session.
• Track in one sheet: directory, date, listing URL, link type verified, visits after 30 days.

Our step-by-step guide on how to submit to startup directories has a copy-paste template.

A 30-day directory plan

Spreading submissions over a month looks natural, keeps the work manageable, and lets you learn which sites send visitors.

What results to expect

Be realistic. For a brand-new domain with no other links, a month of careful directory work typically does these things:

• Google indexes your important pages faster, because crawlers keep finding links to you.
• Backlink tools start showing a few dozen referring domains, and Domain Rating moves off zero. How far depends on how many listings are followed and how strong those sites are.
• A small number of directories send a trickle of visitors. Usually two or three out of twenty account for most of them.
• Your brand name starts returning consistent results, which also helps AI assistants describe you correctly.

What directories will not do on their own is rank you for competitive keywords. That needs pages worth ranking: comparisons, guides, free tools, and genuine mentions from sites in your niche.

What to avoid

• Directories with no recent listings. A dead site passes little value and may disappear.
• "Free" listings that require reciprocal links on every page. One badge on one page is reasonable; site-wide link exchanges are not.
• Sites built only to sell links. If every page is a paid listing and nothing is curated, skip it.
• Mass submission to hundreds of irrelevant directories. It wastes time and can look unnatural.

Frequently asked questions

Do free directory backlinks still work for SEO?

Yes, for new domains especially. Followed links from reputable, relevant directories help discovery and baseline authority. They work best combined with useful content and genuine mentions.

How many directories should I submit my SaaS to?

Twenty to thirty relevant, reputable directories is a good first wave. Add more only if the first wave brings visitors or measurable ranking gains.

How do I know if a directory link is dofollow?

Inspect the link on your published listing. If it has no rel="nofollow", ugc or sponsored attribute and points directly to your domain, it is followed.

Are nofollow directories a waste of time?

No. Reputable nofollow directories can send buyers, build trust and help brand recognition. They just do not pass ranking credit.

Should I pay for directory submissions?

Pay only for a clear benefit: faster review, a guaranteed date, a featured slot with real traffic, or a permanent followed link. Avoid vague premium packages.