Getting dofollow backlinks without spending hundreds on outreach or guest post placements is still possible in 2026 - but the landscape has changed. Most directories that once handed out dofollow links have switched to nofollow, and Google’s SpamBrain algorithm has gotten better at devaluing links from low-quality sources.
This guide lists platforms where you can still get legitimate dofollow backlinks for free or minimal cost, sorted by how useful they actually are for SEO.
What Makes a Dofollow Backlink Worth Pursuing?
Before the list, a quick filter. Not all dofollow links are equal. A dofollow link from a spam directory with a Domain Rating of 5 is worse than useless - it can actively hurt your profile. Here’s what to look for:
Domain Rating 30+. Below this threshold, the link equity passed is negligible. Above 50 is ideal, but harder to find for free.
Moderated submissions. If anyone can submit anything with no review, the directory is a spam magnet. Google knows this.
Relevant context. A dofollow link from a business directory makes sense for a business website. A dofollow link from a random blog comment does not.
Permanent links. Annual subscription directories mean your backlink disappears when you stop paying. One-time or free submissions give you a link that compounds in value.
The List: Dofollow Backlink Sources That Work in 2026
Tier 1: High Authority (DR 50+)
Crunchbase - Free profile with dofollow link to your website. DR 90+. Limited to tech/startup companies but if your business qualifies, this is one of the strongest free backlinks available. Create a profile at crunchbase.com/register.
GitHub - Free account with dofollow profile link. DR 95+. If you have any open-source projects, documentation, or tools related to your business, a GitHub presence gives you one of the highest-authority dofollow links on the internet.
Medium - Free publishing with dofollow links in articles. DR 95+. The catch: Medium nofollows links in new accounts until you build some readership. Publish 3-4 quality articles first.
About.me - Free profile page with dofollow link. DR 80+. Simple one-page profile that passes real link equity.
Tier 2: Business Directories (DR 30-60)
These are the most relevant for local businesses and the most sustainable long-term strategy.
Bunity - One-time $3 fee for a permanent dofollow backlink. DR growing (newer directory with strong technical SEO). What makes Bunity different from most directories: the $3 paywall keeps spam out, every listing gets a dofollow link to your website, and the listing is permanent with no annual renewal. Full business profile with description, categories, contact info, and images.
Hotfrog - Free listing with dofollow link. DR 55+. Has been around since 2006. Limited profile customization but the link equity is real.
Spoke - Free business profile with dofollow link. DR 50+. Automatically imports data from other sources, so check accuracy after claiming.
Manta - Free listing, dofollow link on paid tiers. The free tier gives you a profile but the website link may be nofollow depending on the category.
Tier 3: Niche and Regional (DR 20-40)
Alignable - Free professional networking with dofollow profile link. DR 55+. More useful for B2B businesses. Active community can drive referral traffic too.
MapQuest - Free business listing with dofollow link. DR 70+. Often overlooked because everyone focuses on Google Maps, but MapQuest still passes good link equity.
Cylex - Free directory listing, multiple country versions. DR varies by country (30-50). Good for international businesses that need citations across multiple markets.
Chamber of Commerce directories - Most local chamber websites offer member directories with dofollow links. DR varies (20-50) but the local relevance signal is strong. Usually requires membership ($100-500/year depending on city).
Tier 4: Social and Content Platforms
Pinterest - Business profiles get dofollow links. DR 95+. Create boards related to your industry and pin content from your website.
Slideshare - Presentations with dofollow links in the description. DR 90+. If you have any presentations, whitepapers, or visual content, upload them with a link back.
Gravatar - Free profile with dofollow link. DR 85+. Takes 30 seconds to set up. Every WordPress site where you comment will pull your Gravatar profile.
What to Avoid
PBN (Private Blog Network) links. These worked five years ago. In 2026, SpamBrain identifies PBN patterns with high accuracy. The risk-reward ratio is terrible.
Link exchange schemes. “I’ll link to you if you link to me” is explicitly against Google’s link spam policies. Reciprocal linking at scale will get flagged.
Fiverr gigs promising 1000 backlinks for $5. These are spam links from hacked sites, blog comments, and forum profiles. They will hurt your site.
Directories that charge $50+ per year. The economics don’t work. If you’re paying recurring fees for directory links, that budget is better spent on content or legitimate outreach.
Building a Sustainable Backlink Profile
The real strategy isn’t to find one magic list and submit to everything on it. It’s to build a diversified backlink profile over time:
- Start with the high-authority freebies (Crunchbase, GitHub, About.me). These take 10 minutes each.
- Add 2-3 quality business directories where your listing serves a real purpose (customers actually finding you there).
- Create linkable content on your own site - guides, tools, data, or original research that other sites want to reference.
- Build relationships in your industry. The best backlinks come from people who genuinely want to reference your work.
The directories on this list will give you a foundation. But the links that move the needle long-term are the ones you earn through content quality and industry presence - not the ones you can get by filling out a form.