Directory backlinks: the ones that count vs. the ones that hurt
Not all directory links are equal. Here's how to tell a compounding backlink from a toxic one.
Free to submit · Your own onlyfoundrs.com/your-app URL · No dead links
Half the directory backlink lists are link farms
Founders blast submissions to 200 directories and earn 200 worthless — sometimes toxic — links. Google discounts spam directories; the links that count come from indexed, trafficked directories with real editorial standards.
200+
directories founders shotgun-submit to
~10
that produce a backlink worth having
1
dofollow link you control from day one
Fewer, better, compounding backlinks
A Pro listing is a dofollow backlink from a live, indexed, trafficked directory — plus your embed badge creates a reciprocal link structure Google rewards. One real backlink on a domain that ranks beats fifty from dead directories.
Dofollow on Pro
$5/mo gets a dofollow link from an indexed listing on a live domain.
Indexed by design
Every listing has canonical URL + sitemap inclusion — Google actually sees the link.
Badge = reciprocal link
Your site links to your listing; your listing links back — a natural link relationship.
No link-farm risk
Verified-live directory with editorial review — the kind Google counts, not discounts.
Ready to get started?
Foundrs opens soon — join the waitlist and your product launches straight into buyer feeds. First 500 get a free featured slot.
FAQ
Do directory backlinks still work in 2026?
Yes — from indexed, trafficked directories with real standards. Google's discount is on link-farm directories, not on legitimate listing sites.
Is the backlink dofollow?
On Pro ($5/mo), yes. Free listings link nofollow but still drive referral traffic and brand searches.
How many directory backlinks do I need?
Quality >> count. Ten real directory links outperform two hundred link-farm links — and don't risk a penalty.
What makes a directory link valuable?
Domain authority, indexation, traffic, and editorial standards — a link people might actually click is a link Google counts.