Backlinks ยท 2026
Most do-follow lists online are out of date: link attributes change, and many launch sites now make the do-follow link conditional on a badge, a paid plan or launch-day votes. This list says what each site is reported to do as of October 2026, sorts them by how dependable the link is, and shows how to check any link yourself in ten seconds.
Free launch sites that give a do-follow backlink in 2026 include Lifto (every approved product page links to your site with a do-follow link, plus a second one for displaying the Lifto badge), Launching Next and MicroLaunch. Uneed, Fazier and Tiny Launch make the do-follow conditional on launch performance, a badge or a paid plan. AlternativeTo and Reddit links are nofollow, but both still send real visitors.
Video-first launch feed
Best for: A dependable do-follow link from a reviewed, indexed page
Link: Do-follow. Every approved product page links to your site with a do-follow link. Displaying the Lifto badge earns a second one from the badge-partners page.
Long-running startup directory
Best for: A free listing with a backlink
Link: Do-follow. Widely reported as a free, permanent do-follow listing.
Launch platform for indie makers
Best for: Indie founders looking for a focused community
Link: Do-follow. Generally reported as do-follow on free listings.
Daily launch board with a curated audience
Best for: Indie SaaS that can rally votes on launch day
Link: Conditional. On a free launch the do-follow reportedly depends on launch-day performance; paid launches keep it.
Daily launch platform for early-stage products
Best for: A smaller, less competitive launch day
Link: Conditional. Reportedly tied to displaying their badge or a paid plan.
Bite-sized launch directory
Best for: Micro-SaaS and small tools
Link: Conditional. Reports conflict; the do-follow appears tied to placement, a badge or premium.
Software discovery and comparison
Best for: SaaS tools that want comparison-page traffic
Link: Varies. Reports on the link type conflict; check your own listing.
Show & Tell on Hacker News
Best for: Technical products for developers
Link: Varies. Treat it as a traffic source, not a backlink.
Crowdsourced software alternatives
Best for: Products that compete with a well-known tool
Link: Nofollow. Links appear to be nofollow, but the referral traffic is real.
Niche communities like r/SideProject and r/SaaS
Best for: Feedback and first users
Link: Nofollow. Outbound links are nofollow. Go for the conversation, not the link.
Open your listing, right-click the link to your site and choose Inspect. Look at the rel attribute on the <a> tag.
If rel contains nofollow, ugc or sponsored, the link passes no SEO authority. If there is no rel, or it only says noopener or noreferrer, it is do-follow.
Then check the page itself can be indexed: search Google for site: followed by your listing's URL. A do-follow link on a page Google never indexes is worth very little.
For a new site, a handful of do-follow links from relevant, indexed pages helps Google discover and crawl you sooner, and starts building authority. They won't rank you on their own: content people search for and links from sites in your niche matter more.
Avoid paid packages that promise hundreds of directory links. Links from low-quality pages can do more harm than good.
Free to submit. At most 10 launches a day, each shown as a demo, and every approved product keeps a do-follow link to its site. Submit your product.