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Even with the rise of AI‑generated content and sophisticated SERP algorithms, relevant, editorial‑type backlinks remain one of the strongest ranking signals.

  • Authority & Trust – A link from a reputable niche directory tells search engines that your site is a legitimate player in its industry.
  • Referral Traffic – Directory visitors are often “ready to explore,” so you get real‑world clicks, not just a ranking boost.
  • Indexing Speed – New pages submitted to well‑crawled directories are discovered faster by Google and Bing.

When you combine a solid on‑page SEO foundation with a diversified backlink portfolio, the result is a steady climb in organic visibility and a healthier, more resilient domain.

2️⃣ How a Curated Directory List Saves You Time

Manually hunting for places to list your SaaS, AI tool, or startup can take hours—if not days.
I’ve already done the legwork and compiled over 200 vetted directories that accept free or low‑cost submissions, span a variety of niches (software, AI, startups, local business), and have proven domain authority (most DA > 30).

What you get:

  • A ready‑to‑copy URL + brief submission tip for each site.
  • Categorised sections (software review sites, startup directories, local business listings, AI‑tool hubs, etc.) so you can target the most relevant groups first.
  • Flags for sites that require a profile, a product description, or a simple “Add your link” form.

3️⃣ The Full List (click to expand)

Below is the master list. Feel free to copy‑paste the URLs into a spreadsheet, add a column for “Submitted (Y/N)”, and start ticking them off one by one.

A. General Software & SaaS Review Directories

  1. https://launchdirectories.com/
  2. https://www.softwareadvice.com/
  3. https://www.capterra.com/
  4. https://www.getapp.com.au/
  5. https://www.saas-alternatives.com/
  6. https://www.saasworthy.com/
  7. https://www.g2.com/
  8. https://www.trustradius.com/
  9. https://www.goodfirms.co/
  10. https://crozdesk.com/
  11. https://www.producthunt.com/
  12. https://www.softwaresuggest.com/
  13. https://www.business-software.com/
  14. https://peerlist.io/launchpad

B. Startup & Funding Platforms

  1. https://www.startupranking.com/
  2. https://betapage.co/
  3. https://startups.snapmunk.com/
  4. https://startuptracker.io/
  5. https://wellfound.com/
  6. https://inc42.com/startup-submission/
  7. https://www.crunchbase.com/
  8. https://www.startus.cc/

C. AI‑Tool & GPT‑Focused Directories

  1. https://iseoai.com/submit-ai-tools/
  2. https://gpte.ai/submit-a-tool/
  3. https://saasaitools.com/submission-successful/
  4. https://www.futuretools.io/tool-submission-thank-you
  5. https://www.listintai.com/submit-a-tool
  6. https://www.toolspedia.io/submit-tool/
  7. https://www.aitoolkit.org/submit
  8. https://aitooldirectory.com/
  9. https://chatgptdemo.com/
  10. https://www.bestgentools.ai/tools/edward
  11. https://dang.ai/

D. General Business & Local Listings

  1. https://www.yelp.com/
  2. https://www.yellowpages.com/
  3. https://www.foursquare.com/
  4. https://www.manta.com/
  5. https://www.trustpilot.com/
  6. https://www.clutch.co/
  7. https://www.bbb.org/
  8. https://www.hotfrog.com/

E. Niche Community & Content Platforms

  1. https://www.slant.co/
  2. https://www.slideshare.net/
  3. https://www.scoop.it/
  4. https://www.indiehackers.com/
  5. https://www.startupinspire.com/

F. Miscellaneous (Free Tools, Marketplaces, etc.)

  1. https://www.appsumo.com/
  2. https://www.sourceforge.net/
  3. https://www.stackshare.io/
  4. https://www.comparecamp.com/
  5. https://www.techjockey.com/product/product_preview/23692

(The full raw list continues with additional 150+ URLs – see the attached spreadsheet if you need a copy‑paste ready version.)

4️⃣ Quick‑Start Checklist

StepActionWhy it matters
1️⃣ Pick Your Target TierChoose 5‑10 high‑authority sites (DA ≥ 40) first.Maximises early impact and builds credibility for later, lower‑DA submissions.
2️⃣ Prepare a One‑PagerWrite a concise 150‑word product description, tagline, and a screenshot/logo.Most directories ask for the same info; reuse it to save time.
3️⃣ Create a Master AccountIf a site allows a “profile” (e.g., G2, Clutch, Trustpilot), set it up once and reuse the login for all future listings.Prevents account‑creation fatigue.
4️⃣ Submit & TrackLog each URL in a spreadsheet, note the submission date, and set a reminder for follow‑up after 7‑10 days.Guarantees you don’t lose track of pending approvals.
5️⃣ Verify Live LinksOnce approved, test the live link to ensure it points correctly to your target page.Avoids broken backlinks that can hurt SEO.
6️⃣ Celebrate & PromoteShare the newly published directory listings on your social channels.Generates extra referral traffic and social signals.
  1. Avoid Spammy Anchors – Use natural, brand‑oriented anchor text (e.g., “IseoAI – AI‑powered SEO tools”).
  2. Diversify Link Types – Mix “do‑follow” and “no‑follow” results; most directories default to “no‑follow,” which is fine for diversification.
  3. Stay Consistent – Submitting a handful of URLs each week looks more organic than a massive one‑off dump.
  4. Monitor with a Tool – Use a cheap rank‑tracker or backlink‑checker (e.g., Ahrefs Alerts, Moz Link Explorer) to see when new links appear.
  5. Update When Needed – If your product URL or branding changes, revisit the directories and edit the listing.

6️⃣ Ready, Set, Submit!

You now have a battle‑tested arsenal of 200+ directory sites that can boost your domain authority, accelerate indexing, and drive targeted traffic.

Pro tip: Start with the “AI‑Tool” group if you run an AI‑focused product, then expand into the broader SaaS and local business categories.

If you have any questions about a specific submission process, need help crafting a perfect description, or want to share your results, drop a comment on the post or ping me directly. Let’s get those backlinks rolling!

Happy linking, and may your rankings climb!