Free off-page SEO lists, guides & link-building help

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  • Google’s Link Spam Policies, Explained for Off-Page SEO

    Before you use any submission list, including ours, it helps to know what Google considers link spam. Google’s spam policies describe tactics meant to manipulate rankings, and its systems can neutralise those links or, in serious cases, reduce a site’s visibility. Always check the current wording on Google Search Central: spam policies, link spam section.

    Tactics that Google treats as link spam

    • Buying or selling links to pass ranking value, including exchanging goods or services for links.
    • Excessive link exchanges (“link to me and I’ll link to you”) done at scale.
    • Large-scale article marketing or guest posting campaigns with keyword-rich anchor text.
    • Automated link creation using programs or tools.
    • Requiring a link as part of terms of service or contracts without allowing proper attributes.
    • Low-quality directory or bookmark site links.
    • Forum comments with optimised links in posts or signatures.

    What is fine

    • Editorial links given because your content is useful
    • Links from genuine profiles, listings and reviews that people really use
    • Guest articles on relevant sites, written for readers and not just for links
    • Press coverage earned from real news

    Use link attributes correctly

    Attribute Use it for
    rel=”sponsored” Paid, advertising or affiliate links
    rel=”ugc” User-generated content such as comments and forum posts
    rel=”nofollow” Links you do not want to vouch for or cannot trust

    How to use submission lists safely

    1. Choose relevance over volume. Pick a few platforms your customers actually use.
    2. Make every submission real. Unique text, honest descriptions, correct categories.
    3. Expect traffic and trust, not instant rankings. Many of these links are nofollow.
    4. Avoid bulk tools and “100 links in a day” offers.
    5. Monitor your backlinks in Search Console and fix issues early.
    This page is general information, not legal or professional advice, and policies can change. When in doubt, read Google’s documentation and prioritise helping real users.

  • Link Building Strategy: A Practical 90-Day Plan

    Good link building is a project with steps, not a bag of tricks. This 90-day plan is built for a site with limited budget that wants links that last. Results vary by niche and competition, so treat the timelines as a guide rather than a promise.

    Days 1 to 30: foundations

    • Audit your links. Check the Search Console links report. Note where links come from and what they point to.
    • Study competitors. Find the pages and topics that earn them links.
    • Fix technical blockers such as broken pages, slow loading and missing redirects.
    • Claim your core profiles and listings. See the business listing sites list.
    • Choose a linkable asset to build: original data, a calculator, a template pack or the clearest guide in your niche.

    Days 31 to 60: assets and outreach

    • Publish the asset and make it genuinely better than what already exists.
    • Build a targeted outreach list of 30 to 50 relevant sites, writers and resource pages.
    • Send personal pitches. Explain why your page helps their readers. Avoid mass templates.
    • Pitch two or three guest posts. See the guest posting guide.
    • Reclaim mentions and broken links pointing to you.

    Days 61 to 90: scale and measure

    How to measure

    Metric What it tells you
    New referring domains Whether outreach and content are earning fresh links
    Referral traffic Whether links bring real visitors
    Rankings for target pages Whether authority is improving where it matters
    Branded search Whether more people know you
    Keep your expectations realistic. Strong links can take months to show an effect, and no honest provider can guarantee rankings. Always stay within Google’s link spam policies.

  • Profile Creation, Forum Posting & Blog Commenting: Do They Still Work?

    Profile creation, forum posting and blog commenting were classic off-page tactics. Today, mass use of them is low value and can look like spam. Used sparingly and genuinely, they still help with brand presence and relationships.

    Profile creation

    Creating profiles on hundreds of sites just to place a link no longer moves rankings. Do create strong profiles on platforms your customers actually use: LinkedIn, relevant industry communities, and review or directory sites for your sector. Use a consistent name, logo and description so your brand is easy to recognise.

    Forum posting

    Active forums are where people ask real questions. Helpful, honest replies build reputation and can send qualified visitors. Google’s spam policies specifically call out forum comments with optimised links, so never post just to drop a link or stuff keywords into your signature.

    Blog commenting

    A thoughtful comment on a relevant article can start a relationship with the author. Most comment links are nofollow or ugc and moderators remove obvious promotion. Use your real name, add something the article did not cover, and link only if it truly helps readers.

    Do and don’t

    Do Don’t
    Join a handful of relevant communities Register on hundreds of unrelated sites
    Answer questions fully and honestly Post generic comments like “Great post!”
    Disclose your connection to your site Hide your affiliation
    Read and follow community rules Use bots or bulk tools
    Link only when it adds value Repeat the same keyword anchor again and again
    If you only want to know what to do next, our checklist puts these tactics in the right order of priority.

  • PDF & PPT Submission Sites List: Document Sharing Platforms

    Document sharing sites host PDFs, slide decks and digital publications. They work well for guides, research summaries, case studies and presentations that people want to read or download. They can bring in a different audience than your blog does.

    Platforms

    Platform Best for Notes
    SlideShare Presentations and slide decks Part of LinkedIn, with a professional audience.
    Speaker Deck Conference talks and technical slides Clean viewer, popular with developers and designers.
    SlideServe PowerPoint presentations Large library, mostly education and business decks.
    Issuu Magazines, brochures and catalogues Good for designed, publication-style PDFs.
    Calameo Digital publications Flipbook-style documents with sharing options.
    Scribd Documents, reports and e-books Large reading platform with a subscription model.
    Yumpu Brochures and magazines Digital publishing with embeddable viewers.
    DocDroid Quick document sharing Simple upload and share links.

    Make your documents work harder

    • Use text, not just images. Real text lets platforms and search engines read the content.
    • Write a clear title and description with the topic in plain language.
    • Put your website and contact details on the first and last pages.
    • Keep it original. Share a distinct version, not an exact copy of a page already on your site.
    • Design for the screen. Large type, short slides, one idea per page.
    • Update it. Replace old versions so people do not find outdated information.
    Links from these platforms are often nofollow. Treat them as extra distribution for good content, not as ranking shortcuts.

  • Question & Answer Sites List: Where Helpful Answers Earn Traffic

    Question and answer platforms let you show expertise and reach people at the moment they are looking for help. Links are usually nofollow, so the payoff is visibility, trust and referral traffic, not direct ranking value.

    Platforms worth using

    Platform Best for Notes
    Quora General, business and professional topics Answers can keep ranking and getting views for a long time.
    Reddit Niche communities on nearly any subject Each community has its own rules on self-promotion.
    Stack Exchange network Specialist topics, from SEO to cooking to law Strict quality standards. Answers must be complete and accurate.
    Stack Overflow Programming questions Disclose affiliation if you link to your own tool or project.
    Indie Hackers Startups and bootstrapped products Community values transparency and shared lessons.
    Brainly Student homework help Relevant for education and learning topics.
    Ignore this one: Yahoo Answers closed in 2021. If a list still includes it, the list is outdated, so be careful with everything else on it.

    How to answer well

    1. Answer the question completely before mentioning yourself or your site.
    2. Be specific. Steps, examples and numbers are more useful than general advice.
    3. Disclose your connection if you link to something you own.
    4. Link only when it adds value, for example to a detailed guide or a tool.
    5. Follow up if people ask questions in the comments.
    6. Pick your battles. Five excellent answers a week beat fifty quick ones.

    Use real questions as ideas for your next article too. If many people ask the same thing, a full guide on your own site can become a link-worthy resource. See our link building strategy.

  • Web 2.0 Sites List: Free Publishing Platforms Worth Using

    Web 2.0 sites are platforms where anyone can publish: blogging services, newsletters, article networks and site builders. They are useful for reaching readers and supporting your main site. They are not a place to churn out thin “tier 2” pages with spun text and links, which is a spam pattern.

    Platforms with real audiences

    Platform Best for Notes
    Medium Articles and thought leadership Built-in readership. Republish thoughtfully and set a canonical link to the original where supported.
    LinkedIn Articles B2B and professional topics Reaches your network. Good for expert commentary.
    Substack Newsletters Own your email list while publishing in public.
    Hashnode Developer blogging Technical writing with a developer audience.
    DEV Community Developer tutorials and discussion Active community with good engagement on useful tutorials.
    WordPress.com Full blogs Free hosted blogs. Better to publish on your own domain when you can.
    Blogger Simple blogs Free blogs from Google.
    Tumblr Short posts, visuals and communities Suits creative and lifestyle topics.
    Google Sites Simple informational pages Useful for lightweight resource pages.
    Notion public pages Guides, templates and documentation Easy to publish and share resource hubs.

    How to use them properly

    • Write original content for each platform. Do not copy the same article everywhere.
    • Add value first, links second. One relevant link to a useful page is enough.
    • Treat each profile as a brand asset. Complete the bio, add a logo and link to your site.
    • Be consistent. A few active channels beat twenty abandoned ones.
    Free platforms can change rules, add ads or shut down, so keep the original on a site you control.

  • Business Listing Sites List: Global, USA, UK, Canada, Australia & India

    Business listings (also called citations) show your name, address, phone number and website on directories, maps and review platforms. Consistent, accurate listings help customers find you and help search engines confirm that your business is real.

    Start here: claim your Google Business Profile first. It matters more than any other single listing for local visibility. Then work down the list that fits your market.

    Global

    Platform Notes
    Google Business Profile The most important local listing. Verify ownership and keep hours current.
    Bing Places for Business Free, and can import from Google Business Profile.
    Apple Business Connect Controls how you appear in Apple Maps and related services.
    Facebook Page Widely used for contact details and reviews.
    LinkedIn Company Page Best for B2B and professional services.
    Yelp Reviews-led. Strong in the USA and some other markets.
    Foursquare Place data used by several apps.
    Hotfrog Free business listings in several countries.
    Cylex Country-specific business directories.
    Trustpilot Review platform that builds trust for online businesses.

    USA

    Platform Notes
    Yellow Pages (YP.com) Long-standing directory with free basic listings.
    Better Business Bureau Trust-focused profiles. Accreditation is separate and paid.
    Manta Small business directory.
    Superpages Local directory run by the Thryv group.
    MerchantCircle Local business network with profiles.

    United Kingdom

    Platform Notes
    Yell The UK’s best-known business directory.
    Thomson Local Local directory with free and paid listings.
    FreeIndex Free listings with customer reviews.
    Checkatrade Vetted tradespeople. Application and checks required.
    Cylex UK / Hotfrog UK Free general business listings.

    Canada

    Platform Notes
    Yellow Pages Canada Established national directory.
    Canpages Canadian local business directory.
    Cylex Canada / Hotfrog Canada Free general listings.

    Australia

    Platform Notes
    True Local Local business listings and reviews.
    Yellow Pages Australia National directory.
    Localsearch Local business listings.
    StartLocal Free Australian business directory.
    Hotfrog Australia Free general listings.

    India

    Platform Notes
    Justdial Large local search and listings platform.
    Sulekha Local services and home professionals.
    IndiaMART B2B marketplace for manufacturers and suppliers.
    TradeIndia B2B trade directory.
    ExportersIndia B2B directory focused on exporters and suppliers.

    Keep your details consistent

    • Use one exact version of your business name, address and phone number everywhere.
    • Pick the same primary category on each platform where possible.
    • Add real photos, opening hours and a short unique description.
    • Reply to reviews, good and bad, professionally.
    • Keep a simple sheet of every listing, its login and its last update date.
    Directories close, merge and change terms. Check that a listing site is live and relevant to your market before you spend time on it. Avoid any service that offers to list you on hundreds of sites in a day.

  • Classified Ads Sites List by Country: USA, UK, Canada, Australia & India

    Classified sites are designed for genuine ads: products, services, jobs, rentals and local offers. Their SEO value is mostly leads and referral traffic, since links on many classified sites are nofollow or low in value. Use them where your customers actually search, and skip the rest.

    Platforms open, close and change policies often. Verify each site is active and available in your region before posting.

    Wide-reach platforms

    Platform Notes
    Facebook Marketplace Available in many countries. Best for local sales and services.
    OLX Operates in several countries. Check its regional site for your area.
    Locanto Regional classified sites across many countries.

    USA

    Platform Best for
    Craigslist Local services, jobs, housing and for-sale items by city
    Facebook Marketplace Local goods and services
    OfferUp Local buying and selling via mobile
    Nextdoor Neighbourhood-level recommendations and local business posts

    United Kingdom

    Platform Best for
    Gumtree General classifieds, jobs, services and property
    Preloved Second-hand goods, pets and household items
    Shpock Local selling through its app
    Facebook Marketplace Local goods and services

    Canada

    Platform Best for
    Kijiji General classifieds, jobs, services and real estate
    Facebook Marketplace Local goods and services
    Craigslist City-level listings in larger markets

    Australia

    Platform Best for
    Gumtree Australia General classifieds, trades and services
    Facebook Marketplace Local goods and services
    Locanto Australia Services and personals-free general ads by city

    India

    Platform Best for
    OLX India Second-hand goods, vehicles, property
    Quikr Services, jobs, real estate and classifieds
    Sulekha Local services and home professionals
    Facebook Marketplace Local goods and services

    How to post well

    • Post only real offers you can fulfil.
    • Write a unique title and description for every ad. Do not paste the same text across sites.
    • Choose the right category and city.
    • Add clear photos and honest pricing.
    • Do not post duplicate ads or repost every day. Most platforms remove them and can ban accounts.
    • Include contact details and your site link where the platform allows it.

  • Press Release Submission Sites List: Newswires Compared

    A press release is worth sending when you have real news: a launch, funding, an award, original research, a partnership or a major hire. Distribution services help it reach journalists and news feeds. They are not a shortcut to rankings, and Google’s guidance has long warned against keyword-stuffed links in widely distributed releases.

    Distribution services at a glance

    Service Model Good for
    PR Newswire Paid Established wire with broad media reach
    Business Wire Paid Corporate and financial announcements
    GlobeNewswire Paid Public company and corporate news
    PRWeb Paid, tiered Small and mid-size business announcements
    EIN Presswire Paid, tiered Budget-friendly distribution with industry channels
    Newswire Paid, tiered Distribution plus writing and media pitching options
    Send2Press Paid Small business and startup announcements
    24-7 Press Release Paid, tiered Low-cost wide distribution
    IssueWire Paid, tiered Budget distribution for announcements
    PRLog Free and paid options Free release hosting with limited editorial value
    openPR Free Free publishing, mostly small-scale reach
    Pricing, features and link policies change often. Check each service’s current terms before you buy.

    Writing a release that gets picked up

    • Lead with the news. The first paragraph should answer who, what, when and why it matters.
    • Include a quote from a real person at your company, plus facts and numbers.
    • Keep it factual. Avoid hype words and sales copy.
    • Add a contact with a real email and phone number.
    • Link once or twice to a page that adds context, using a plain description.

    Better than a wire

    Often a short, personal pitch to three journalists who cover your topic beats any distribution package. Use a wire to supplement that outreach, not replace it. Read the link building strategy guide for how PR fits into the bigger plan.

  • Article Submission & Guest Posting: How to Earn Contextual Backlinks

    Article directories, where you paste the same article for a link, stopped being useful years ago. Guest posting is different: you write an original article for a relevant publication, its editors approve it, and its readers see it. When done properly it earns visibility, referral traffic and links that make sense.

    Step by step

    1. Define your topic area. Guest posts work best on sites your target customers already read.
    2. Build a short list. Look for blogs and publications with an active audience, recent posts and real editorial standards.
    3. Read before you pitch. Learn what they publish, what they have already covered and how long their articles run.
    4. Pitch three specific ideas. Each should have a clear angle for their readers, not a thin excuse to link to you.
    5. Write something original. Add examples, data or first-hand experience. Never recycle an article you have published elsewhere.
    6. Link sparingly. One or two contextual links to genuinely useful pages is plenty. Use natural wording instead of exact-match keywords.
    7. Promote the post once it goes live and answer reader comments.

    Sample pitch

    Hi [Name], I read your recent piece on [topic] and especially liked [specific detail]. I would like to contribute an article on [angle], including [what is original: data, example, case]. Here are two other ideas: [idea 2], [idea 3]. My work is at [link]. Would any of these suit your readers?

    Red flags

    • “Write for us” pages on sites that accept every topic
    • Sites that sell guest posts openly with a fixed price list for dofollow links
    • Blogs with no real audience, copied content or obvious link farms
    • Any offer to place your link on many sites at once for a flat fee
    Paid placements: if you pay for a link, it should be labelled with rel=”sponsored”. Google lists buying links to pass ranking value, and large-scale guest posting with keyword-rich anchors, as link spam. See our explainer.