The Best Free Link Building Sites For SEO

A major ingredient of any successful search engine optimization (SEO) strategy is link building. This process of getting other websites to link back to your site helps improve your site’s ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs), as search engines use backlinks as a signal of credibility and authority. The more relevant, high-quality backlinks your site has, the more “juice” or ranking power it gains, which can positively affect its placement in organic search results.

However, finding the right platforms to boost your website’s authority and visibility can be a challenge—especially if you’re working with a tight budget. Luckily, there are plenty of free tools and sites that can help you build high-quality backlinks without breaking the bank.

In this guide, we’ll recommend what we consider to be the best free link building websites for SEO. Adding these sites to your toolkit will help you enhance your online presence, drive more traffic, and improve your search rankings whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out. With these resources, you’ll be well on your way to stronger, more effective link building.

What Is a Link Building Site?

A link building site is a platform or resource that helps you generate backlinks to your website. The more backlinks to your website the better your SEO because they signal to search engines like Google that your site is authoritative and trustworthy.

These sites can range from directories and forums to content-sharing platforms and social media sites. Some offer a variety of services, including article submissions, directory submissions, social bookmarking, and more. In some cases, these services are offered for a fee, and the site will provide you with a list of links that have been built as a result of using their services.

Here, we’ll recommend free link building sites that, if used effectively, can improve your website’s visibility, increase referral traffic, and boost your search engine rankings at no extra cost.

Where Can I Find Link Building Sites?

1. General search engines

You can use general search engines like Google, Yahoo!, or Bing to find high-quality link-building sites.

2. Link building search engines

Link building search engines are specialized tools or platforms designed to help users find opportunities to create backlinks for their websites. They crawl the web to identify sites where you can earn or place links, such as directories, forums, blogs, or other relevant platforms. They often provide features like competitor analysis, keyword research, outreach, and content discovery. These include:

• Link Building Web
• Link Building Database
• The Links Database

3. Social bookmarking sites

Social bookmarking sites are online platforms where users can save, organize, and share links to web pages they find valuable or interesting. These sites allow users to bookmark and tag content, making it easier to discover and share with others. Popular examples include:

• Digg
• Pinterest
• Tumblr
• Reddit
• Mix (formerly StumbleUpon)

4. Forums

Forums can be a great way to build links, as they allow you to post your content and then provide a link back to your site. However, you’ll want to make sure that you’re participating in the forum in a meaningful way and that your posts are of high quality, or you may end up getting banned from the forum.

Guest blogging host sites

Guest blogging on host sites can be a great way to build links, as long as you do it in a way that benefits the blog’s readers. Make sure that your guest posts are high quality and provide value to the blog’s audience, and you’ll be able to build links that way.

3. Article directories

Article directories are a great way to build links, as they allow you to post articles with a link back to your site. In addition, many article directories also allow you to include a bio and a link to your website.

5. Directories

Finally, you can also find directories of link building sites, such as:

• The SEO Book Link Building Directory
• Search Engine Watch’s Link Building Directory
• The Web Developer’s SEO Link Building Directory

What Websites Offer Free Backlinks?

If you want to earn backlinks for free, here are a few places to start.

1. BuzzSumo

If you’re looking for high-quality content to share on your website, BuzzSumo is a fantastic site to check out. Not only does it have a library of great content to choose from, but it also has a tool that helps you find free link building sites. This tool allows you to discover the most shared content in your industry or niche to help you understand what type of content resonates with your audience and attracts backlinks. Just enter the keyword you’re interested in, and BuzzSumo will show you a list of the most popular content related to that keyword. Once you’ve found content formats that perform well (e.g., videos, infographics), you can tailor your content to match.

BuzzSumo provides data on who links to each piece of popular content. This gives you a list of potential sites that might be interested in linking to your similar content. You can then contact the site owners to see if they would be interested in exchanging links.

It also helps identify key influencers and journalists in your industry who have shared or linked to similar content. Reach out to these influencers with personalized messages, offering your content as a resource they can share or link to in future articles.

Use BuzzSumo to monitor mentions of your brand, products, or services. When you find unlinked mentions, contact the site owner or writer and request a backlink.

BuzzSumo even allows you to analyze your competitor’s content and see who is linking to them. Use this information to target those same sites with your own valuable content.

2. HARO

Using HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is an excellent way to gain free backlinks by contributing your expertise to journalists and bloggers looking for stories. You can sign up for free and then wait for reporters to contact you with requests for sources.

Start by signing up as a source. You’ll be asked to provide some information about yourself, including your areas of expertise. This will help reporters match you with the right stories that align with your expertise or industry, and you’ll receive daily emails with queries from journalists and writers looking for expert insights.

Journalists work on tight deadlines, so you’ll need to respond quickly to any queries that match your expertise. Make sure your responses are insightful and concise and directly address the journalist’s query. Include unique data, examples, or expert opinions, and carefully follow the instructions provided in the query to increase your chances of being selected. The more queries you respond to, the higher your chances of getting featured.

Consistent, helpful contributions can lead to ongoing relationships with journalists, resulting in recurring backlinks. You can also search for reporters who are looking for sources and pitch them ideas. This can be a great way to get your name out there and attract links from high-quality media websites.

HARO is a great way to get links from authoritative sources while establishing yourself or your brand as an industry expert.

3. Reddit

Using Reddit can be a powerful strategy for gaining free backlinks if done thoughtfully and authentically. Its large community of users is always sharing interesting content.

The great thing about Reddit is that there’s something for everyone. Identify subreddits that align with your industry, expertise, or interests, and use the search bar to find active communities. Then, participate in discussions, contribute meaningful insights, answer questions, and engage in conversations. This helps build your credibility in the community.

Redditors are wary of blatant self-promotion, so focus on being helpful and providing value.

If someone asks a question related to your content, share a link to your blog or article that provides a thorough answer. Write engaging, informative posts that naturally include links to your content and ensure the post is valuable to the subreddit.

Tips to get the most out of Reddit:

• Host an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session. If you’re an expert in a particular field, hosting an AMA can attract attention. Include links to your site in your introductory post or in responses where relevant.

• Provide Proof of Expertise: This establishes your credibility and increases the likelihood that your links will be accepted by the community.

• Create linkable content: Share infographics, guides, or statistics data. Reddit users appreciate unique, high-quality content, and sharing this type of content increases the chances of getting upvoted and seen by more users.

• Monitor and Engage: Respond to comments and stay active in the discussions your posts generate. Engaging with commenters builds trust and encourages further sharing of your links.

• Use Reddit Analytics: Tools like Reddit’s own analytics or third-party tools can help you track the performance of your posts and refine your strategy.

In addition, you can also use Reddit to find inspiration for your own content. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, just browse the subreddit for your topic. You’ll find a variety of different posts that you can use as inspiration or that you can share on your website.

By engaging authentically, providing value, and sharing relevant content, you can effectively use Reddit to build free backlinks while establishing yourself as a trusted community member.

4. Quora

Like Reddit, Quora has many users continuously sharing content and asking questions on every topic. You can actively participate in discussions related to your industry and provide helpful insights and information. By sharing your expertise and linking back to your website when relevant, you can drive traffic and get valuable backlinks from a diverse audience.

Remember to focus on adding value to the community and engaging authentically to maximize the benefits of using Quora for link building. Many of the same principles and techniques that you’d use on Reddit will apply here. To get the most out of Quora and to use it effectively:

• Create a complete and professional profile that includes your expertise, credentials, and a link to your website to establish credibility and provide users with information about you. Add relevant topics related to your niche so you’re visible in the right communities.
• Find relevant questions using the search bar and follow relevant topics to stay informed on new questions you can answer.
• Provide answers that give real value and are thorough, detailed, thoughtful, well-researched, and informative. Naturally, include links to your website or blog when they add value to the answer. Ensure the link fits contextually and enhances your responses.
• Engage with the community by upvoting and commenting to build rapport. And follow other users active in your niche to develop connections and increase your visibility.
• Write long-form content that incorporates visuals and examples, using images, infographics, or data from your site to enrich your answers. This can lead users to visit your site for more detailed information.
• Be consistent, regularly answer questions, and contribute to the platform. The more you engage, the more opportunities you’ll have to share your links.
• Monitor your performance using Quora’s built-in analytics to see how your answers are performing and which links are driving traffic. Based on your performance, adjust your strategy and refine the type of questions you answer and the way you include your links.
• Don’t overlink, or you’ll be treated like spam. Focus on providing value.

By focusing on providing valuable, well-crafted answers and strategically incorporating your links, you can effectively use Quora to build free backlinks and drive traffic to your site.

5. Medium

Medium is an online publishing platform where people can write, share, and read articles on a wide range of topics. Its large and diverse reader base allows writers to reach a broad audience.

Writers can create or contribute to Medium publications, which are collections of articles around specific themes or interests. These publications often have their own followers and increase the visibility of the content. Articles published on Medium often rank well in search engines due to the platform’s strong domain authority. Medium allows users to import and republish blog posts from other platforms, preserving the original content’s SEO value through canonical linking.

Tips to get the most out of Medium

• Optimize your bio by including a brief description of your expertise, a link to your website, and links to your social media profiles.
• Use Medium’s import tool to republish existing blog posts. This tool preserves the original post’s canonical link, ensuring search engines know your website is the primary source.
• Create unique articles related to your niche and include backlinks to relevant pages on your site.
• When writing articles, include backlinks to specific blog posts or pages on your site that provide additional value or context.
• Use anchor text strategically, making sure it is descriptive and relevant to the content you’re linking to.
• Contribute to popular publications. Many Medium publications have established audiences. Submitting your articles to these can increase visibility and the likelihood of readers clicking through to your site.
• Engage with the community by commenting on other articles. This can lead to reciprocal traffic and visibility. Clap and share to show appreciation for other writers’ content. Increased activity on the platform can lead to more visibility for your posts.
• Collaborate with other writers by offering to write guest posts or collaborative articles for other writers in your niche, which can include backlinks to your site.

5. Google Search

Google is good for more than simply finding information on the internet. You can actually use Google Search to find high-quality backlink opportunities for free by leveraging specific search techniques to discover sites that are relevant to your niche and may be open to linking back to you. Here’s how:

Find Guest Blogging Opportunities

Use Google Search to identify sites that accept guest posts in your industry. This is a great way to build high-quality backlinks while sharing your expertise. Try search queries like:

• “write for us” + [your niche]
• “guest post guidelines” + [your niche]
• “submit an article” + [topic or industry]

Once you find a site, pitch a relevant article that includes a natural link back to your website.

Search for Resource Pages

Resource pages are collections of links to helpful content within a specific topic or industry, making them a valuable place to get backlinks. To find relevant resource pages, search:

• “resources” + [your topic]
• “helpful links” + [your industry]
• “recommended reading” + [your niche]

Send a personalized message to the site owner explaining how your content could add value to their resource page.

Use “Inurl” Search Operators for Niche Directories

Industry-specific directories are helpful for acquiring backlinks that drive both traffic and credibility. Search:

• inurl:directory + [your niche]
• “submit your site” + [topic]

Many directories will allow you to list your website for free, especially if it’s highly relevant to their audience.

Look for Broken Link Building Opportunities

Broken link building is a strategy that involves finding broken links on a relevant website and then offering your own content as a replacement. Use search terms like:

• “404 page” + [topic]
• “broken link” + [topic]

Once you identify a broken link, contact the site owner, inform them of the broken link, and suggest your content as an alternative. Google’s Chrome extension Check My Links can also help speed up this process.

Find Unlinked Brand Mentions

If websites mention your brand but don’t link back, you can reach out to them for a link. To find these mentions, use:

• “your brand name” -site:yourwebsite.com

This search will show you instances of your brand mentioned on the web outside your own site. If you find a site mentioning you but not linking, a friendly email request can often result in a free backlink.

Explore “Best of” Lists

Many websites create “best of” or “top [industry/product]” lists. Getting featured on one of these lists can result in a valuable backlink. Use search queries like:

• “best [your product/service]”
• “top [niche] websites”

Once you find a list you’d like to be part of, contact the site owner or editor with a compelling reason to include your site.

Competitor Backlink Research

Use Google to find sites linking to your competitors. To uncover articles, directories, and blogs that have linked to competitors in similar content, search for:

• “competitor site name” + [relevant keyword]

These sites may also be interested in linking to you, especially if you offer unique or complementary content.

Optimize for Featured Snippets

When you create high-quality, well-structured content, it has a higher chance of being featured in Google’s Featured Snippets. Look for snippets in your niche by searching for common questions or keywords related to your topic, and then create optimized, concise content to attract backlinks as other sites reference your expert answers.

Using Google Search as one of your link building sites can uncover several natural opportunities to build your backlink profile, ultimately boosting your site’s authority and ranking potential. Google’s search engine is the best way to find high-quality links. It’s fast, easy to use, and it provides the most accurate results.                                 

FAQs About the Best Free Link Building Sites for SEO

What are the best types of free link building sites?

Content-driven sites like Quora, Reddit, and Medium are the best options for free link building. They allow you to create content that links back to your site, boosting brand awareness and driving organic traffic without paid advertising.

How can I track the success of my link building campaign?

Tools like Google Analytics and other web analytics software allow you to monitor your link-building campaign by tracking referral traffic, engagement, and conversions from sites linking to yours. This data is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of your digital marketing efforts, especially when building backlinks.

What makes a hyperlink valuable for SEO?

The value of a hyperlink or backlink depends on its relevance to your site’s content, the authority of the linking domain name, and whether it brings in qualified traffic. Search engine algorithms favor links from well-regarded, relevant sites as they signal the quality and authority of your content.

For this reason, tactics like using a link farm should be avoided. A link farm is a group of websites created solely to link to each other and manipulate search engine rankings. Search engines view link farms as spamming, and being associated with them can harm your website’s credibility and SEO. Instead, focus on building backlinks from reputable sites.

What role does PageRank play in link building?

Google’s PageRank algorithm assigns a value to pages based on the number and quality of backlinks. A solid link-building campaign with valuable, relevant backlinks can help increase your PageRank, positively affecting your placement on SERPs.

Can I use press releases as part of my link building strategy?

Absolutely! A well-written press release distributed across reputable media channels can provide valuable backlinks and improve brand visibility. Be sure your press release content is relevant and newsworthy to capture genuine interest and avoid any association with spamming.