Free Dofollow Backlinks List: 50+ Sites That Give Dofollow Links
Not all backlinks work the same way. A nofollow link tells Google "don't count this." A dofollow link says "this site is worth trusting." That's the difference that moves your rankings.
This guide gives you a complete free dofollow backlinks list organized by category: directories, forums, social profiles, Web 2.0 platforms, and Q&A sites. Each entry is a real opportunity to get a link that Google counts.
What Are Dofollow Backlinks?
A dofollow backlink is a hyperlink that passes "link equity" (sometimes called PageRank or link juice) from the linking page to the destination page. When a high-authority site links to yours with a dofollow link, Google interprets it as a vote of confidence and factors it into your rankings.
By contrast, a nofollow link contains the rel="nofollow" attribute, which tells search engines not to pass link equity. Nofollow links still have value for brand awareness and referral traffic, but they don't directly boost your rankings the way dofollow links do.
How do you check if a link is dofollow?
Right-click any link on a page, choose "Inspect," and look at the HTML. If you see rel="nofollow" in the anchor tag, it's nofollow. If there's no rel attribute, or it says rel="follow", it's dofollow. Most free backlink tools can also detect this automatically when auditing your link profile.
Why Dofollow Links Matter for SEO
Dofollow links are the primary currency of off-page SEO. Google's algorithm was originally built around the idea that links represent endorsements. The more quality dofollow links point to your page, the more authority your page accumulates, and the higher it can rank.
The relationship between dofollow links and rankings
Pages with more high-quality dofollow backlinks consistently outrank pages with fewer. This has been confirmed by every major SEO correlation study conducted since 2012. Link building remains one of the strongest ranking factors, and dofollow links are the mechanism through which that authority is transferred.
Do-follow backlinks vs other ranking factors
Dofollow backlinks don't operate in isolation. Content quality, page speed, user signals, and technical SEO all matter. But for competitive keywords, a page with superior content but fewer dofollow links will almost always lose to a page with decent content and a strong backlink profile. Links are still the differentiator at the top of search results.
Free Dofollow Backlink Sites (by Category)
Below is an organized backlink sites list of free dofollow sources across each major category. Start with the platforms where you can get links fastest, then work through the slower editorial opportunities.
Web directories (dofollow)
| Site | DA | Link Type | How to Get Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| DailyBacklinks.com | Growing | Dofollow | Free database submission |
| Jasmine Directory | 41 | Dofollow | Free basic listing |
| Alive Directory | 40 | Dofollow | Free submission |
| SoMuch.com | 37 | Dofollow | Free category listing |
| Directory World | 35 | Dofollow | Free submission |
| Web Directory | 38 | Dofollow | Free listing + approval |
Web 2.0 platforms (dofollow)
| Site | DA | Link Type | How to Get Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blogger.com | 95 | Dofollow | Create blog, publish content with link |
| Hashnode.com | 88 | Dofollow | Create developer blog, link in posts |
| Tumblr.com | 86 | Dofollow | Create blog, post content with link |
| Substack.com | 90 | Dofollow | Create newsletter/blog, link in posts |
| Typepad.com | 82 | Dofollow | Create blog with contextual links |
| Weebly.com | 81 | Dofollow | Create free site with link |
Social and profile sites (dofollow)
| Site | DA | Link Type | Where to Place Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub.com | 96 | Dofollow | Profile URL, repository README |
| Crunchbase.com | 91 | Dofollow | Company profile website field |
| AngelList/Wellfound | 85 | Dofollow | Startup profile |
| ProductHunt.com | 90 | Dofollow | Product listing URL |
| Indie Hackers | 77 | Dofollow | Product profile, posts |
| About.me | 82 | Dofollow | Profile website field |
Forum and Q&A sites
| Site | DA | Link Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reddit.com | 95 | Nofollow | High traffic, brand exposure |
| Quora.com | 93 | Nofollow | Answer questions with contextual links |
| Stack Exchange | 89 | Dofollow (some) | Answers with relevant resource links |
| V7N Forum | 43 | Dofollow | SEO niche forum, profile + post links |
| WebmasterWorld | 68 | Dofollow | Profile and post links |
For a bigger pre-vetted list of free backlink sites across all categories, see our full resource guide updated for 2026.
How to Get Maximum Value from Each Source
Getting a do-follow backlink is only half the work. Maximizing its value requires the right anchor text, placement context, and surrounding content quality.
Anchor text strategy
Vary your anchor text across all dofollow backlinks. Use:
- Branded anchors — Your company or site name (e.g., "DailyBacklinks")
- URL anchors — Raw URL (e.g., "dailybacklinks.com")
- Partial match — A phrase containing your keyword (e.g., "this backlink monitoring tool")
- Exact match — Your target keyword phrase, used sparingly (max 10-20% of links)
- Generic anchors — "click here," "read more," "this guide"
This natural mix is what keeps your profile safe from over-optimization penalties.
Tips for Scaling Your Dofollow Link Building
Building links at scale requires a system, not just a list. Here's how to turn this free dofollow backlinks list into a sustainable monthly process.
Batch your submissions
Set aside time once per week to submit to 3 to 5 new sources. Don't try to blast 50 links in one sitting. Spread your submissions over weeks and months for a natural velocity profile.
Track what's indexed
A backlink that isn't indexed by Google doesn't count. Use our backlink monitoring tool to track which of your dofollow links are live and discoverable. Unindexed links can be re-submitted to our URL indexer for faster pickup.
Layer in paid opportunities
Free dofollow backlinks are a great foundation, but they're limited by what's available for free. Once you've worked through this list, explore our backlinks marketplace for vetted paid opportunities from higher-authority sources.
100% free. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dofollow backlinks list?
A dofollow backlinks list is a curated collection of websites that give dofollow links. These are links that pass SEO authority from the linking site to your site. Each site on the list is a potential source of ranking power for your website.
Are free dofollow backlinks safe?
Yes, when acquired naturally. Free dofollow links from legitimate directories, Web 2.0 platforms, and profile sites are completely safe. What's unsafe is bulk-automated submissions to low-quality spam directories. Stick to established platforms with real content and real traffic.
How many dofollow backlinks do I need to rank?
It depends on your niche and competition. For low-KD keywords, 10 to 20 strong dofollow links can be enough to move into the top 10. For competitive terms, you may need hundreds. The quality of each link matters far more than the raw count.
What's the difference between do-follow backlinks and backlink sites?
Backlink sites are any platforms that let you get a link. Do-follow backlinks specifically refers to links without the nofollow attribute. A backlink site may give you a nofollow link, which is still valuable for traffic but doesn't pass ranking authority the same way a dofollow link does.
What are the best sites for dofollow backlinks?
Blogger.com (DA 95), GitHub.com (DA 96), Crunchbase.com (DA 91), ProductHunt.com (DA 90), and Hashnode.com (DA 88) are among the strongest free dofollow backlink sources. For a broader list of the best backlink websites across all categories, see our backlink building sites master list.