Best Startup Directories for Dofollow Backlinks
Most startup directories don't pass any SEO value. You spend 30 minutes filling out a profile, and the link back to your site gets slapped with a rel="nofollow" tag — meaning Google ignores it for ranking purposes. But some directories do give dofollow backlinks. And those links actually move the needle.
The #1 result in Google has 3.8x more backlinks than positions #2 through #10 (Backlinko, 2025). Meanwhile, 95% of all pages on the internet have zero backlinks. That means even a handful of quality directory links puts you ahead of most of the web.
This guide covers 10 startup directories that give dofollow backlinks — or have domain authority high enough to matter even without one. Every listing includes the link type, domain rating, cost, and specific tips to maximize your SEO value.
TL;DR: Most startup directories give nofollow links that don't help rankings. StartuPage, F6S, BetaList, AlternativeTo, and SaaSHub all provide dofollow backlinks for free. Even nofollow links from DA 90+ sites like Crunchbase and Product Hunt boost visibility through referral traffic and brand signals. List on 5-8 directories to build a healthy backlink profile.
Why Do Startup Directory Backlinks Matter for SEO?
92.3% of the top 100 ranking websites have at least one backlink pointing to them (DemandSage, 2026). Backlinks aren't just one of many ranking signals — they're one of the top three, alongside content quality and search intent.
But not all backlinks work the same way. Here's the difference that matters:
Dofollow links tell Google: "I vouch for this site." They pass PageRank, boost your domain authority, and directly improve your rankings. When a directory with DR 80 links to your startup with a dofollow tag, Google treats that as a genuine endorsement.
Nofollow links tell Google: "Here's a link, but I'm not endorsing it." Since 2019, Google treats nofollow as a "hint" rather than a directive — meaning they might still pass some value. But you can't count on it.
Here's the thing most founders miss: 78.8% of SEO professionals believe nofollow links still impact rankings (Editorial.link, 2025). That's because the indirect benefits are real. A nofollow link from Product Hunt still drives referral traffic, brand mentions, and the kind of user signals Google does pay attention to.
Our take: The average cost of buying a quality backlink is $508.95 (Editorial.link, 2025). Every dofollow directory listing you grab for free is money saved. Ten free dofollow listings from directories with DR 60+ would cost you $5,000+ if you bought equivalent links through outreach.
The bottom line? Don't chase only high-DA nofollow links. A balanced backlink profile needs both. But start with the free dofollow wins — they're the highest ROI move for any early-stage startup.
Looking for directories to launch your startup, not just for SEO? Check our 12 best startup directories for launching.
10 Best Startup Directories for SEO Backlinks
Not every directory is worth your time. Some have inflated profiles with zero SEO value. Others give you a dofollow link from a DR 80+ domain — for free. Here are the ones that actually help your rankings, ordered by overall SEO value.
1. StartuPage
StartuPage gives every startup profile a dofollow backlink — no paid tier required, no approval queue. Your profile page gets indexed by Google, which means it works as both a backlink and a standalone landing page that can rank for your brand name.
What makes StartuPage different from typical directories is that profiles include Stripe-verified MRR, team information, tech stack, and investor signals. This isn't just a link — it's a credibility page that reinforces your E-E-A-T signals across the web.
Domain Rating: Growing (new platform, rising authority) Link type: Dofollow Cost: Free Listing process: Create a profile in under 5 minutes. No approval queue — your page goes live immediately. Approval time: Instant
SEO optimization tip: Fill in every section of your profile — description, team, tech stack, metrics. Complete profiles rank higher in StartuPage's internal search and get more external link juice from Google's perspective. Use your primary keyword naturally in your startup description.
Why I built this: I listed my startup on 8 directories before building StartuPage. Half of them gave nofollow links. The other half had profiles so thin that Google didn't even index them. I wanted a directory where your profile actually shows up in search results — with verified data that investors trust and a dofollow link that helps your SEO. That's what StartuPage does.
Want to make your listing stand out to investors? Here's how to build a startup profile that attracts investors.
2. F6S
F6S hosts 1.6 million+ startups and 2.9 million+ entrepreneurs across 120+ countries (F6S, 2025). It processes 700,000+ grant and accelerator applications per year. Your company profile page includes a dofollow link back to your website.
Domain Rating: 83 Link type: Dofollow Cost: Free Listing process: Sign up, create a startup profile. Auto-approved. Approval time: Instant
SEO optimization tip: F6S profiles often rank for "[startup name] + funding" queries. Add your funding history, team bios, and a keyword-rich description. The platform's DR 83 means your profile page carries real weight.
3. BetaList
BetaList is where early adopters discover new startups before they launch. Startups listed here see conversion rates up to 15% — significantly higher than most channels (Smash.vc, 2025). Approved listings get a dofollow link.
Domain Rating: 65-74 Link type: Dofollow (on approved listings) Cost: Free (wait 2-4 weeks) or $129 for priority review Listing process: Submit your startup. Manual review by editors. Approval time: 2-4 weeks (free) or 48 hours (paid)
SEO optimization tip: BetaList editors look for startups that aren't yet publicly launched. If you've already launched, pitch an upcoming feature or new product line instead. Write a compelling one-liner — it's what editors see first.
4. AlternativeTo
AlternativeTo lets users find alternatives to any software product. If your startup competes with an established tool, this directory is gold. Users actively search for alternatives, and your listing includes a dofollow link.
Domain Rating: 80-81 Link type: Dofollow Cost: Free Listing process: Submit your software. Community-moderated. Approval time: 1-3 days
SEO optimization tip: List your startup as an alternative to 3-5 well-known competitors. Each "alternative to X" page gets significant search traffic. Write a comparison-focused description that explains what you do differently. This is one of the highest-value free dofollow links you can get — DR 80+ and contextually relevant.
5. G2
G2 is the largest B2B software review platform. It's ranked among the top 20 most-cited domains in AI search results — ahead of Instagram (Reviewflowz, 2025). G2 recently acquired Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp from Gartner, consolidating the B2B review market.
Domain Rating: 91 Link type: Mixed — profile links may be nofollow, but vendor pages with reviews can generate dofollow editorial links Cost: Free basic listing. Paid plans for enhanced profiles. Listing process: Claim your profile. Encourage customers to leave reviews. Approval time: 1-2 days for basic claim
SEO optimization tip: G2's real SEO value comes from reviews. Each review creates indexed content mentioning your brand. Get 10+ reviews and your G2 profile can outrank your own homepage for "[your product] reviews." That's a branded SERP you want to own.
6. Capterra
Now owned by G2 after the 2025 acquisition, Capterra remains one of the most visited software comparison sites globally. The domain authority is massive, and your vendor profile includes links back to your site.
Domain Rating: 91 Link type: Dofollow on vendor website links Cost: Free basic listing. PPC advertising available. Listing process: Submit your software. Review and verification. Approval time: 3-7 business days
SEO optimization tip: Capterra profiles rank for "[category] software" queries. Choose your primary category carefully — it determines which comparison pages you appear on. Add screenshots, pricing info, and encourage reviews. Capterra profiles with 20+ reviews get 3x more visibility.
7. SaaSHub
SaaSHub is a curated directory focused exclusively on SaaS products. It positions itself as a community-driven alternative to G2, with a cleaner interface and less vendor noise. Every listing gets a dofollow link.
Domain Rating: 74-75 Link type: Dofollow Cost: Free Listing process: Submit your SaaS product. Editorial review. Approval time: 1-5 days
SEO optimization tip: SaaSHub organizes products by alternatives and categories. Like AlternativeTo, list yourself against popular competitors. The "alternative to [competitor]" pages drive consistent long-tail traffic, and your dofollow link sits right there.
8. StackShare
StackShare is where developers share their tech stacks. If your product is a developer tool, API, or infrastructure service, this is where your ideal customers hang out. Company profiles include dofollow links.
Domain Rating: 80 Link type: Dofollow Cost: Free Listing process: Add your tool to the directory. Community verification. Approval time: 1-3 days
SEO optimization tip: StackShare's unique SEO value is contextual relevance. Your product appears alongside the tools it integrates with, creating strong topical association. List every integration and technology connection — this creates more internal pages linking to your profile.
9. Crunchbase
Crunchbase has 2.8 million+ company profiles and is the default research tool for investors. The free tier gives nofollow links, but the domain's DR of 89-91 means even nofollow links carry indirect SEO value through brand visibility and referral traffic.
Domain Rating: 89-91 Link type: Nofollow (free tier) Cost: Free basic profile. Pro starts at $49/month. Listing process: Claim or create your company profile. Approval time: Instant (self-service)
SEO optimization tip: Crunchbase profiles rank for "[company name] funding" and "[company name] revenue" queries. Even though the link is nofollow, a well-maintained Crunchbase profile dominates branded search results. Keep your funding data, team info, and description current. Stale profiles get deprioritized.
Compare how Crunchbase stacks up against other platforms on our best startup platforms comparison page.
10. Product Hunt
Product Hunt doesn't give dofollow links. But with a DR of 91-92 and the ability to drive 1,500-10,000 visits on launch day, it's still worth listing on. A top-5 Product Hunt launch generates ongoing traffic of 100-500 visits per month from your product page alone (Uprows Hub, 2026). The estimated value of a Product Hunt backlink — even nofollow — ranges from $5,000 to $20,000.
Domain Rating: 91-92 Link type: Nofollow Cost: Free Listing process: Submit your product. Anyone can submit. Approval time: Instant (but getting featured requires community traction)
SEO optimization tip: Your Product Hunt page becomes a permanent indexed page on a DR 91 domain. Optimize your tagline with your primary keyword. Add a detailed description with use cases. Respond to every comment — engagement signals help your page rank higher within Product Hunt's internal search.
Curious how Product Hunt compares to other launch platforms? See our breakdown of the 16 best startup directories and launch platforms.
Quick Comparison: All 10 Directories at a Glance
| Directory | DR | Link Type | Free Listing | Approval Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StartuPage | Growing | ✅ Dofollow | ✅ | Instant |
| F6S | 83 | ✅ Dofollow | ✅ | Instant |
| BetaList | 65-74 | ✅ Dofollow | ✅ (slow) | 2-4 weeks |
| AlternativeTo | 80-81 | ✅ Dofollow | ✅ | 1-3 days |
| G2 | 91 | ⚡ Mixed | ✅ | 1-2 days |
| Capterra | 91 | ✅ Dofollow | ✅ | 3-7 days |
| SaaSHub | 74-75 | ✅ Dofollow | ✅ | 1-5 days |
| StackShare | 80 | ✅ Dofollow | ✅ | 1-3 days |
| Crunchbase | 89-91 | ❌ Nofollow | ✅ | Instant |
| Product Hunt | 91-92 | ❌ Nofollow | ✅ | Instant |
How to Maximize SEO Value From Directory Listings
Getting listed is step one. Extracting maximum SEO value from those listings takes a bit more thought. Here are four things most founders skip.
Complete Every Section of Your Profile
This sounds obvious, but 80% of startup directory profiles are half-empty. A complete profile does two things for SEO: it gives the directory's internal search algorithm more to work with (meaning more visibility), and it gives Google more content to index on your profile page. More indexed content means more potential keyword matches.
Fill in your description, team members, tech stack, funding details, and screenshots. Don't leave any section blank.
Keep Your Business Information Consistent
Your company name, URL, and description should match across every directory. Google cross-references business information across the web — this is called NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone). Inconsistencies confuse search engines and can dilute your brand signals.
If your product name is "Acme AI" on StartuPage but "AcmeAI" on Crunchbase and "acme.ai" on Product Hunt, you're splitting your brand authority three ways.
Link to Your Best Landing Page, Not Just Your Homepage
Most founders link every directory back to their homepage. That's a missed opportunity. If you're targeting "AI writing tool for teams," link some directories to your feature page for team collaboration. Spread your backlinks across 2-3 key landing pages to boost multiple URLs instead of concentrating everything on one.
Our take: We see founders put their homepage URL everywhere. But your homepage probably already has the most backlinks. Instead, use directory listings to boost your underperforming pages — your pricing page, a key feature page, or a comparison page. This distributes authority more effectively across your site.
Write Real Descriptions With Target Keywords
Don't copy-paste the same generic description everywhere. Write unique descriptions for each directory, naturally incorporating your target keywords. "AI-powered project management for remote teams" is better than "We help teams work better." Search engines index these profile pages — treat each one like a mini landing page.
Nofollow Directories Still Worth Listing On
Don't skip a directory just because it uses nofollow links. The SEO value goes beyond raw link equity. Here's why three nofollow directories still deserve your time.
Crunchbase (DR 90, nofollow): Your Crunchbase profile will likely outrank most other results for "[your company name]" searches. Investors check Crunchbase first. An up-to-date profile creates trust signals that indirectly improve your overall SEO — Google notices when authoritative sites mention your brand.
Product Hunt (DR 92, nofollow): A single Product Hunt launch can drive 1,500-10,000 visitors to your site (Uprows Hub, 2026). That traffic spike sends positive user engagement signals to Google. Plus, your PH page generates ongoing traffic of 100-500 visits per month indefinitely. That's a DR 92 page permanently pointing people to your product.
Hacker News (DR 90+, nofollow): Getting on the Hacker News front page drives massive developer traffic. The links are nofollow, but the referral traffic, social mentions, and subsequent organic backlinks from people who discover your product make it one of the highest-ROI free marketing channels for technical products.
Our take: 73.2% of marketers now believe backlinks also influence AI search results — meaning your directory presence might affect how ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews reference your brand (Editorial.link, 2025). This is a new dimension most founders aren't thinking about yet. Directory listings aren't just for Google rankings anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do startup directories help with SEO?
Yes. Startup directories provide backlinks, brand mentions, and referral traffic — all of which contribute to SEO performance. 92.3% of top-ranking websites have at least one backlink (DemandSage, 2026). Dofollow directory links directly boost domain authority, while nofollow links from high-DR sites improve brand visibility and send positive engagement signals to search engines.
Which startup directories give dofollow links?
StartuPage, F6S, BetaList, AlternativeTo, Capterra, SaaSHub, and StackShare all provide dofollow backlinks on free listings. G2 offers mixed link attributes depending on the page type. Crunchbase and Product Hunt use nofollow links but compensate with DR 90+ authority and significant referral traffic.
How many directory backlinks do I need?
Quality matters more than quantity. The #1 Google result has 3.8x more backlinks than positions #2-#10 (Backlinko, 2025), but those are total backlinks — not just directories. Aim for 5-8 high-quality directory listings as your foundation, then build additional links through content marketing, PR, and partnerships. A natural backlink profile mixes dofollow and nofollow links — 20-40% nofollow is considered healthy.
Is it worth paying for directory listings for SEO?
Usually no — for backlink value alone. The average cost of buying a quality backlink is $508.95 (Editorial.link, 2025). Most directories on this list offer free dofollow links. The exception is BetaList's $129 priority review, which makes sense if you're pre-launch and want faster exposure — not just for the link, but for the early-adopter traffic it drives.
Start Building Your Backlink Profile Today
You don't need a massive SEO budget to build quality backlinks. The 10 directories in this list give you dofollow links from domains with DR 65 to DR 92 — and most of them are completely free.
Start with StartuPage. Create your profile in under 5 minutes, get an instant dofollow backlink, and build a verified startup page that investors and search engines both trust. Then work through the rest of this list over the next week.
Listing on 5-8 directories takes about 2-3 hours total. That's less time than writing a single blog post — and the backlinks keep compounding forever.
Ready to compare all the major startup platforms? See our complete comparison of the best startup platforms to find the right ones for your stage and goals.
