Getting quality backlinks from trusted sources doesn’t have to cost money. In this comprehensive guide, we explore 55 high-authority backlink sites including where and how you can earn links for free in 2026. This list includes proven platforms across categories like guest posting, directories, Web 2.0 blogs, social bookmarks, and more all manually verified to help you build a strong, diverse backlink profile.
Key Takeaways
- Free backlinks are real and achievable with the right strategy.
- You can earn links from trusted sites without paying a cent.
- Mix between dofollow and nofollow sources to build a natural link profile.
- Categories include guest sites, Web 2.0 platforms, directories, forums, image/video shares, review sites, and more.
How to Get Free Backlinks for SEO
Free backlinks are incoming links from other websites that you can acquire without paying for placement. While dofollow backlinks pass SEO authority to your website, nofollow links don’t pass authority directly but both still contribute to traffic and visibility when used correctly.
We’ve categorized the best backlink sites that let you earn links for free, along with suggestions on how to use them.
Where to Get Free Dofollow Backlinks
These platforms allow you to earn free dofollow backlinks, which pass SEO value directly and help improve rankings.
Top Free Dofollow Guest Post Sites
Publishing articles on high-authority blogs earns you contextual backlinks that support both SEO and industry credibility.
| Website | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medium.com | Thought leadership | High traffic and content indexing |
| Blogger.com | Blogging platform | Build branded content |
| WordPress.com | Blogging authority | Flexible content hosting |
| HubPages.com | Content communities | Topic-specific articles |
| EzineArticles.com | Content directories | Article distribution |
These sites are popular backlink websites because they let you publish content freely while including links to your main site.
Top Free Dofollow Web 2.0 Sites
Web 2.0 platforms act as mini websites where you can publish pages or content with links pointing back to your site.
| Platform | Link Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tumblr.com | Dofollow | Creative content & posts |
| Pinterest.com | Dofollow | Visual traffic + backlinks |
| Reddit communities | Dofollow | Engage in niche discussions |
| Slideshare.net | Dofollow | Presentations & resources |
*Links on Reddit can sometimes be nofollow but still drive significant referral traffic.
Top Free Dofollow Business Directory Sites
Business directories help you list your company and earn backlinks from trusted web sources.
| Directory | Best For | Link Type |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchbase.com | Startups & tech | Dofollow |
| About.me | Personal branding | Dofollow |
| YellowPages.com | Local SEO | Dofollow |
| Yelp.com | Local businesses | Dofollow |
These free backlink sites provide both visibility and trusted links that search engines trust.
Top Free Dofollow Social Bookmarking Sites
Social bookmarks help your content get discovered and increase visibility.
| Site | Best For |
|---|---|
| Reddit.com | Content discovery & discussions |
| Scoop.it | Content curation |
| Folkd.com | Bookmarking |
These platforms enhance brand reach and can indirectly support link acquisition.
Top Free Dofollow Multimedia Sharing Sites
Visual and document sites also offer backlink opportunities, especially when you have rich media content.
| Platform | Best For |
|---|---|
| YouTube.com | Videos with description links |
| Vimeo.com | Video portfolios |
| Issuu.com | Whitepapers & brochures |
| SlideShare.net | Presentations |
Earning backlinks through media platforms drives targeted traffic and boosts SEO relevance.
Where to Get Free Nofollow Backlinks
Nofollow links don’t directly pass SEO authority, but they’re still beneficial for brand signals and referral traffic. These links help diversify your backlink profile and strengthen online presence.
| Website | Domain Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| reddit.com | DR 95 | Community interactions |
| linkedin.com | DR 99 | Professional profiles |
| medium.com | DR 94 | Long-form content |
| youtube.com | DR 99 | Video branding |
| quora.com | DR 92 | Q&A content |
| github.com | DR 96 | Developer portfolios |
| dribbble.com | DR 93 | Creative portfolios |
Nofollow links can still attract traffic and generate social proof when used strategically.
What’s the Difference Between Dofollow and Nofollow Backlinks?
- Dofollow Backlinks: Pass SEO link equity and improve rankings.
- Nofollow Backlinks: Don’t pass authority but help diversify link profile and drive referral traffic.
Both are integral parts of a balanced link-building strategy that aligns with search engine algorithms.
Who Should Build Free Dofollow Backlinks?
Every website — from new blogs to established ecommerce shops — should build free backlinks:
- New sites need them to start establishing authority.
- Established sites use them to diversify and sustain their SEO profile.
How to Choose the Best Free Backlink Sites
Not all backlink opportunities are equal. To pick the best ones:
- Prioritize platforms with high domain authority and traffic
- Ensure relevance to your niche and audience
- Avoid spammy or low-quality link farms
- Always place links in contextual, relevant content
A natural link profile includes a mix of different backlink sources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the best free backlink sites in 2026?
The best free backlink sites include Medium, WordPress.com, Crunchbase, LinkedIn Articles, and Google Sites. These platforms offer authority and indexing benefits.
2. Are free backlinks still effective for SEO?
Yes. Free backlinks are effective when built naturally from high-authority and relevant backlink sites.
3. How many free backlinks should I build per month?
For new websites, 20–40 quality backlinks monthly is safe. Focus on quality rather than mass submissions.
4. Do free backlink sites provide dofollow links?
Some do (Web 2.0 sites and directories), while many provide nofollow links. A balanced mix is recommended.
5. Can free backlinks rank a new website?
Yes, if combined with strong on-page SEO, optimized content, and consistent publishing strategy.
Final Thoughts
Free backlinks remain a cornerstone of SEO in 2026 when executed correctly. While they don’t replace high-authority editorial links from top media outlets, they form a solid foundation in your link-building strategy when combined with great content and outreach.
Start with this best backlinks sites list for free, build context-rich links, and support your SEO growth long term.
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