If you’ve just launched a website, you’ve probably wondered how everyone else seems to have so many links pointing to them. And more importantly, how do you get some without spending money?
Good news: you can. This guide walks you through the free backlinks sites that are worth your time, plus a few honest warnings about the ones that aren’t. By the end, you’ll know where to start, what to avoid, and how to build links the safe way.
First, What’s a Backlink (and Why Should You Care)?
A backlink is just a link from someone else’s website to yours. Think of it like a recommendation. When a trusted site links to you, Google takes it as a sign that your content is worth reading.
Backlinks matter because they can help you:
- Build trust: links from respected sites signal that your content is credible.
- Get discovered: search engines often find new pages by following links.
- Bring in visitors: people click links, so a good placement can send real traffic.
- Strengthen your brand: being mentioned on well-known platforms makes you look established.
Here’s the catch, though. Google isn’t fooled by piles of random links. A handful of good ones will beat hundreds of junk ones every time. So when you’re hunting for free backlink sites, quality matters far more than quantity.
Dofollow vs. Nofollow: A Quick Explanation
You’ll see these two terms everywhere, so here’s the simple version:
- Dofollow links can pass authority from their site to yours. These are the ones most people chase.
- Nofollow links usually don’t pass authority directly, but they still send visitors your way and make your link profile look natural.
You want a mix of both. A profile made only of dofollow links can look forced. Don’t write off nofollow links either, because real people click on them too.
Free Backlink Building Sites You Can Start With
A good place to browse is ProBacklinksHub, which lists 170+ free opportunities and lets you filter by niche, country, traffic, and link type. Here are some standouts from the list, with ideas on how to use each one properly.
Google Business Profile (dofollow)
If you have a local business, start here. It’s free, it shows up in Search and Maps, and it links straight to your website. For local businesses, it’s one of the most important citations you can claim.
- Fill in every section: category, hours, services, and description.
- Add real photos of your shop, team, or work.
- Keep your name, address, and phone number identical to your website.
Blogger (dofollow)
Google’s own blogging platform. You can publish real articles with links inside them. Just make sure the posts are actually useful, not a wall of keywords.
- Write posts that answer a real question in your niche.
- Place your link naturally inside the content, not in a forced paragraph.
- Don’t copy the same article from your main site, because duplicate content helps no one.
GitHub and GitHub Pages (dofollow)
Perfect if you’re in tech or software. A clear README or project page can link back to your site in a completely natural way.
- Publish a useful open-source tool, template, or documentation page.
- Link to your site as the official project homepage.
- Keep the project updated so the profile looks active.
Google Sites (dofollow)
A free site builder that’s handy for guides, resource pages, or anything educational.
- Build a small resource hub on a topic you know well.
- Link to your main website as the “full guide” or “learn more” source.
- Keep the design simple and easy to read on mobile.
Vimeo (dofollow)
Set up a creator profile, upload a video, and add your website link.
- Use short explainer videos, tutorials, or product walkthroughs.
- Add a clear description with your link in your profile and video details.
- Use a proper title so people can find the video.
YouTube (nofollow)
The link itself doesn’t pass authority, but a channel and good video descriptions can bring a surprising amount of traffic.
- Add your website to your channel’s About section.
- Put your link near the top of each video description.
- Create videos that match the topics on your blog.
LinkedIn Pulse (nofollow)
Great for B2B and professional niches. Publish an article and your expertise reaches a very engaged audience.
- Share original insights instead of recycling your blog posts word for word.
- Link back to a deeper resource on your site where it makes sense.
- Use your personal profile and company page together.
Pinterest (nofollow)
Especially good for lifestyle, travel, e-commerce, and design. Every pin can point back to your content.
- Design clean, eye-catching images for each blog post.
- Write helpful pin descriptions with relevant terms.
- Organize pins into boards by topic.
How to Pick High-Quality Free Backlinks
Before you submit to any site, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Does this site fit my topic?
- Does it have real visitors, or is it a ghost town?
- Would I be proud to have my link there?
- Will my link sit inside useful content, rather than a spammy footer?
If you hesitate on any of those, skip it. That’s how you end up with high-quality free backlinks instead of a cleanup job later.
When you’re filtering through a directory, these signals help:
- Domain rating (DR) and domain authority (DA): higher numbers usually mean a stronger, more trusted site.
- Monthly traffic: a site with real visitors is worth more than an empty one.
- Niche match: a link from a relevant site beats a random one with better numbers.
- Link type: check whether it’s dofollow or nofollow so you know what to expect.
Practical Tips from Our Experience
Over the years of working with websites at different stages, a few habits have consistently paid off:
- Claim your own profiles first. It’s the easiest, safest way to start.
- Make something worth linking to. Original tips, tools, checklists, and detailed guides attract links without much effort.
- Keep your details consistent. Use the same business name and info everywhere.
- Mix up your anchor text. Don’t use the same keyword every time. Brand names and plain URLs look far more natural.
- Go slowly. Steady growth is safer than a sudden flood of links.
- Try free guest posts. One post on a relevant site can be worth more than fifty directory listings.
- Track your results. Keep a simple sheet of where you’ve built links, so you can see what actually brings traffic.
A Simple Plan to Get Started This Week
If you’re not sure where to begin, here’s an easy first-week routine:
- Day 1: Claim your Google Business Profile (if you’re a local business).
- Day 2: Set up your YouTube channel and Vimeo profile with your website link.
- Day 3: Create your LinkedIn Pulse article or company page update.
- Day 4: Start a Blogger or Google Sites page with one genuinely useful post.
- Day 5: Create a few Pinterest pins for your best blog posts.
- Day 6: Browse ProBacklinksHub and shortlist 5 niche-relevant opportunities.
- Day 7: Review what you’ve done, and note which profiles are complete and which need more work.
Mistakes That Can Hurt You
Free doesn’t mean careless. Avoid these common traps:
- Submitting to hundreds of low-quality directories
- Using automated link-building tools
- Trading links back and forth excessively
- Chasing links from sites that have nothing to do with your niche
- Using the exact same keyword as your anchor text every time
- Leaving profiles half-finished or abandoned
Google’s updates keep rewarding content made for people. Free backlinks should support a good website, not try to cover for a weak one.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a big budget to build links. Start with trusted platforms like Google Business Profile, Blogger, and GitHub. Add profiles on YouTube, Vimeo, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Then explore curated lists like ProBacklinksHub to find opportunities that match your niche. Stay patient and consistent, and the results will come.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are free backlinks actually good for SEO?
Yes, as long as they come from relevant, reputable sites. Spammy ones add nothing and can cause trouble.
2. Which are the best free backlinks sites?
Google Business Profile, Blogger, GitHub, Google Sites, Vimeo, YouTube, LinkedIn Pulse, and Pinterest are all solid places to start.
3. Do free backlink submission sites still work?
The curated, niche-relevant ones do. Mass-submission directories that accept anything usually don’t.
4. Are nofollow links worthless?
Not at all. They bring traffic, build awareness, and keep your link profile looking natural.
5. How many free website backlinks should I build each month?
There’s no magic number. A slow, steady pace of relevant links beats big bursts.
6. How do I find free backlink building sites for my niche?
Use a directory like ProBacklinksHub and filter by niche, country, link type, and authority.
7. Can I get good backlinks without guest posting?
Absolutely. Business profiles, blogging platforms, GitHub repos, and video channels all give you legitimate links.
8. How long does it take to see results from free backlinks?
It varies. Links can take weeks or even months to have an effect, so keep building steadily and track your progress.
About the Author: Written by the SEO Team of WebZonic Agency, a team of search specialists who focus on white-hat link building, helpful content, and long-term organic growth.