10 Methods to Get Free Links to Your Website [+48 Placement Platforms]
Free links are a great way to start promoting a new website. They allow you to test various link-building strategies, identify the most effective ones for your project, and lay a solid foundation for building your link profile.
But where can you post a link for free? After all, safe promotion requires high-quality platforms, and in today’s reality, high-quality ≠ free.
In this article, I will cover the TOP 10 types of platforms where you can place free links to your website. Plus, I’ll share some insider tips on how to make the most of them 🤗
Type I: Directories (Catalogs, Listings)
Registration in directories is one of the first and most reliable ways to get free links for a website. This category includes platforms like Google My Business.
What to consider when using this method?
- Choose platforms with sufficient traffic – Opt for sites with at least 9K monthly visitors (not to be confused with unique visitors).
- Verify the trustworthiness of the donor site – Use metrics such as DR (Ahrefs), DA (MOZ), or TF (Majestic) to assess quality.
- Fill out the profile completely – Ensure that all required fields, including images and videos, are properly completed.
- Provide accurate and up-to-date information – This includes phone numbers, emails, physical addresses, social media links, and messengers.
Remember that the surrounding text of the link is just as important as the quality of the platform.
| Examples of directories for posting a free link: |
| Google My business |
| Foursquare.com |
| Whitepages.com |
| Giganticlist.com |
| Somuch.com |
Type II: Job Search Sites
Everyone knows about these sites, but few use job search sites for posting links. However, almost all job sites offer the option to add an active link.
Here, you should also provide complete company information and ensure all contact details are up-to-date. This will help build trust with both your target audience and Google.
Additionally, we recommend regularly monitoring company reviews. Integrating forum link-building into this process can be beneficial. Posting a dozen neutral comments can help create a positive perception of your brand, which is crucial for online promotion.
| Examples of job search sites where you can post free links |
| Europass.europa.eu |
| Theladders.com |
| Linkup.com |
| Indeed.com |
| Angel.co |
Type III: Review Sites
A very tricky but effective method of obtaining free links. Why tricky? Because you need to be cautious when listing your company on such platforms. You must be prepared for real feedback about your business.
We recommend carefully crafting your company description, adding accurate contact information, and incorporating visual content.
Be sure to subscribe to notifications about new comments so you can respond to visitor feedback promptly.
It can also be beneficial to run a promotion such as a “bonus for a review.” This can help you generate your first genuine reviews at little to no cost, depending on the type of bonus offered.
| Examples of review sites for posting free links: |
| Trustpilot.com |
| Merchantcircle.com |
| Which.co.uk |
| Testfreaks.com |
| Consumerreports.org |
Type IV: Social Profiles
A great way to get natural links for free.
Here, you need to create a well-branded profile that must include:
- First and last name of the representative;
- Photo;
- Completed profile form;
- Company information (where applicable);
- Logo, banner, images;
- Contact details (email, social networks, messaging apps, etc.).
Ensure that the profile appears “active” (with some activity and complete information). Avoid adding links to newly registered accounts. Wait at least two weeks before adding a link.
| Examples of social networks for obtaining free links |
| Facebook.com |
| Reddit.com |
| LinkedIn.com |
| Quora.com |
Type V: Visual Content Sites
This method is slightly more complex as it requires basic skills in creating and editing visual content. A prime example of this type of platform is Pinterest.
All you need to do is create an eye-catching image or infographic, upload it to the platform, and include your website link in the description.
This could be something simple, like a company logo or a photo of your office/product, or something more complex, such as an infographic, illustration, chart, or diagram.
| Visual content sites for posting free links |
| Pinterest.com |
| Theinspirationgrid.com |
| Designspiration.com |
| Dribbble.com |
| Behance.net |
Type VI: Video Hosting
An even more challenging but highly effective method is obtaining a link under a video on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and others. The difficulty lies in the fact that to place a link, you need to create at least one video — preferably one that provides value.
This could be an engaging advertisement, a webinar, an educational video, or an interview. The key is to ensure it offers useful content.
Once the video is ready, distribute it across relevant platforms. Don’t forget to include a well-crafted description with a link to your website.
| Examples of video hosting sites for obtaining free links: |
| Youtube.com |
| Vimeo.com |
| Twitch.tv |
| Swarmify.com |
| Wistia.com |
Type VII: Podcasts
Podcasts are a method of obtaining free links, similar to video hosting. The idea is to record a valuable audio track (discussion, interview, lecture, etc.) and publish it on all relevant platforms with an active link to your website.
| Examples of podcast platforms for obtaining free links: |
| Podhunt.app |
| Radiopublic.com |
| Soundcloud.com |
| Libsyn.com |
| Podbean.com |
Type VIII: Self-published platforms
This is a familiar method of posting a guest post, but with one important distinction: the platforms must allow you to publish an article with a link for free. Essentially, it’s like having a blog within a blog.
The requirements for such content are the same as for a standard guest post, but here you have more freedom with links. You can include links to your homepage, articles, tools, videos, studies, and more.
The more comprehensive and engaging your material is, the better results you will achieve.
| Self-hosted publications where you can add free links: |
| Write.as |
| Issuu.com |
| Medium.com |
| Telegra.ph |
Type IX: Free Classified Boards
Another method of promotion using free links. Tens of thousands of visitors buy and sell goods/services on classified boards daily. This approach works best for e-commerce and service-based websites.
Steps to follow:
- Find free classified boards in your target region.
- Evaluate their traffic, trust level, and spam score.
- Create a profile and include your website link.
- Optionally, post multiple listings to increase visibility.
| Classified boards for placing free links: |
| Phpbb.com |
| Mybb.com |
| Vanillaforums.com/software |
| Discourse.org |
Type X: Document Sharing (Word and PDF)
The method involves uploading text documents or PDF files containing a link to your resource to file-sharing platforms. Search engines effectively index PDF files and the links within them.
But remember, it’s not just about uploading a document with an active link to your site—you should carefully craft the content around it. This could include articles, company information, or even promotional offers.
It’s crucial to write for people; the more natural and engaging the content, the more trust and loyalty you’ll gain from both your target audience and search engines.
| File-sharing platforms (PDF and Word) for obtaining free links: |
| Sendspace.com |
| Filefactory.com |
| Sharefile.com |
| Dropbox.com |
| Mediafire.com |
Key Takeaways
You can get free links to your site, but the key is ensuring their quality. Carefully select platforms for placement and create well-prepared content that includes a free link. Additionally, pay close attention to monitoring comments and addressing potential negativity — crowd marketing can be highly effective for this.
Promotion through free links works well for a young website. However, at high volumes, such links often get lost and will not significantly impact the link profile.
