Backlinks are one of the most powerful ranking factors in SEO. They act like digital “votes of confidence,” telling search engines that your website is reliable, credible, and worth ranking higher. Yet, the reality is shocking: 66.31% of websites have zero backlinks, while 26.29% have links from only three websites or less.
In other words, the majority of websites are invisible in search engines—not because their products or services lack quality, but because they lack links.
The problem? Many small businesses, freelancers, and startups can’t afford expensive link-building campaigns. SEO agencies may charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month.
The solution? Start with free sites for backlinks. These platforms allow you to build your online presence, improve visibility, and attract organic traffic—all without paying a cent.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Why backlinks are crucial for your website.
- 13 proven free backlink sites you can start using today.
- Step-by-step strategies to make the most of each site.
- A beginner-friendly action plan to grow your domain authority.
- A FAQ section to answer common doubts about free backlinks.
Let’s dive in.
Why Backlinks Matter (Especially If You’re on a Budget)
When you’re just starting out, building a digital presence feels overwhelming. You create a website, add content, maybe set up social media—but without backlinks, Google simply doesn’t notice you.
Here’s why backlinks matter:
- Search Engine Rankings
- Backlinks are one of the top 3 ranking factors in Google’s algorithm.
- If two websites have equally good content, the one with more high-quality backlinks will rank higher.
- Referral Traffic
- Backlinks aren’t just for SEO—they also drive direct traffic. For example, if you publish an answer on Quora with your website link, hundreds of readers might click and visit your site.
- Brand Credibility
- People trust websites mentioned on credible platforms. For example, if your business appears on Medium or Trustpilot, it builds confidence.
- Networking & Visibility
- Posting content on platforms like LinkedIn, SlideShare, or Product Hunt helps you connect with communities that can become customers or collaborators.
👉 For businesses across GCC and MENA, where digital competition is heating up, using these free backlink tools is an affordable way to stand out against bigger brands.
13 Best Free Sites for Backlinks
Here’s our carefully curated list of 13 free sites for backlinks that deliver real value.
1. Medium – Publish & Grow Authority
- Why it works: Medium is a blogging platform with millions of active readers. Publishing articles here builds authority and drives referral traffic.
- Stats: Global Rank 358; 158M monthly visits; top countries include USA, India, and UK.
- How to use it:
- Create a profile and add your website link.
- Publish well-written articles related to your niche.
- Add contextual backlinks inside your articles.
- Pro tip: Write case studies or step-by-step guides; Medium readers love actionable content.
2. Reddit – Engage in Niche Communities
- Why it works: Reddit is a massive community-driven platform with highly active niche groups (“subreddits”).
- Stats: Global Rank 15; 2.4B monthly visits.
- How to use it:
- Add your site in your profile bio.
- Find subreddits relevant to your niche.
- Share valuable content and drop links when they add real value.
- Pro tip: Build karma (trust) before posting links. A helpful comment often gets more clicks than a promotional post.
3. Quora – Answer & Establish Expertise
- Why it works: Millions of people ask questions daily; answering with authority builds credibility.
- Stats: Global Rank 65; 772.7M monthly visits.
- How to use it:
- Add your website in your profile bio.
- Write detailed answers with examples and insights.
- Include a link to your website for “further reading.”
- Pro tip: Focus on evergreen questions that stay relevant for years.
4. LinkedIn – Professional Branding
- Why it works: LinkedIn is the go-to network for professionals and businesses.
- Stats: Global Rank 20; 1.2B monthly visits.
- How to use it:
- Add your website link to your personal profile and company page.
- Post articles, insights, and industry updates.
- Network with professionals in your niche.
- Pro tip: Use LinkedIn Articles (not just posts) for long-form content that ranks well on Google.
5. Pinterest – Visual Backlinks
- Why it works: Pinterest is ideal for brands with strong visuals (design, fashion, food, travel, etc.).
- Stats: Global Rank 26; 1B monthly visits.
- How to use it:
- Create boards relevant to your industry.
- Upload pins (images, infographics) and link them back to your site.
- Optimize titles and descriptions with keywords.
- Pro tip: Infographics tend to get more repins and backlinks.
6. Tumblr – Creative Microblogging
- Why it works: A flexible platform for short-form blogs, visuals, and creative content.
- Stats: Global Rank 91; 300M monthly visits.
- How to use it:
- Add your site link in your bio.
- Post media-rich content (images, GIFs, videos).
- Link to your website in posts.
- Pro tip: Use hashtags to reach Tumblr’s vibrant creative communities.
7. Trustpilot – Reviews That Rank
- Why it works: Trustpilot reviews appear in Google searches, and your profile can include a backlink.
- Stats: 55M monthly visits.
- How to use it:
- Claim your business profile.
- Add your website URL.
- Encourage happy customers to leave reviews.
- Pro tip: Respond to reviews—it builds trust and improves your profile ranking.
8. Blogger – Google’s Free Blog Platform
- Why it works: Blogger is directly owned by Google, making it naturally SEO-friendly.
- How to use it:
- Start a blog around your niche.
- Add backlinks to your main website in posts.
- Interlink posts for extra SEO benefit.
- Pro tip: Keep your posts unique and original—Google penalizes duplicate content.
9. SlideShare – Visual Knowledge Sharing
- Why it works: SlideShare presentations rank well and reach professionals.
- Stats: 80M monthly professionals use it.
- How to use it:
- Convert your blog posts into slide decks.
- Add backlinks in the slides and profile.
- Share slides in LinkedIn groups.
- Pro tip: Make slides visually appealing with key insights; don’t overload with text.
10. Product Hunt – Startup Launch Pad
- Why it works: A hotspot for showcasing new products and startups.
- How to use it:
- Create a profile with a backlink.
- Submit your product/website.
- Engage with community discussions.
- Pro tip: Build relationships with hunters before launching—early traction boosts visibility.
11. HubPages – Evergreen Articles
- Why it works: HubPages lets you post niche content that ranks in Google.
- How to use it:
- Create content-rich articles.
- Add backlinks where relevant.
- Pro tip: Focus on “how-to” guides—they rank well in search.
12. Scoop.it – Curated Content Hub
- Why it works: Share curated articles and your own content for backlinks.
- How to use it:
- Create topic boards.
- Add your content with backlinks.
- Pro tip: Curate other people’s content too—it builds credibility.
13. About.me – Personal Branding
- Why it works: Perfect for freelancers, consultants, and entrepreneurs.
- How to use it:
- Create a profile with your story and services.
- Add a backlink to your site/portfolio.
- Pro tip: Use a professional photo and concise tagline for maximum impact.
Step-by-Step Action Plan for Beginners
- Set up profiles on all 13 platforms.
- Add your website link in bios and descriptions.
- Publish valuable content (articles, slides, visuals, Q&As).
- Engage with communities—don’t just drop links.
- Track performance using Google Analytics (see which platforms drive traffic).
- Scale up with guest posting (VisiBlitz can help here).
FAQs About Free Backlinks
Q1: Are free backlinks safe?
Yes—if you use reputable platforms like the ones listed here. Avoid spammy link farms.
Q2: Do free backlinks work as well as paid ones?
They work well for building authority and traffic. However, high-authority guest posts (paid or earned) usually carry more SEO weight.
Q3: How many backlinks do I need?
It depends on your niche. Even a few dozen quality backlinks can dramatically improve rankings in less competitive industries.
Q4: Can I just create 100 profiles and get backlinks instantly?
No—Google values quality over quantity. Focus on real engagement and value.
Final Thoughts
Backlinks are essential for SEO, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to start building them. The 13 free sites for backlinks we covered—ranging from Medium and Quora to LinkedIn and Trustpilot—are powerful tools to grow your online presence.
The key is consistency: create profiles, publish valuable content, and engage with communities. Over time, your brand will gain visibility, authority, and traffic.
At VisiBlitz, we make the next step simple: quality guest posting. Once you’ve built your foundation with free backlinks, you can accelerate growth by getting featured on high-authority publishers in your niche.
With our publisher marketplace across GCC & MENA, competitive pricing, and flexible payment methods, guest posting has never been easier.










