13 Free Sources to Get Backlinks to Your Site

Building backlinks is super important if you want your website to show up in search results. Without them, your site might just get lost in the crowd. But don’t worry, you don’t need a big budget to get started. Here are 13 free sources you can use to get backlinks and boost your site’s visibility.

Key Takeaways

• HARO connects you with journalists looking for expert quotes.
• SourceBottle helps you find media opportunities to share your expertise.
• Business 2 Community allows you to share your insights through guest posts.
• BizSugar is a community for sharing small business content.
• GrowthHackers is a platform for sharing growth marketing strategies.

1. HARO

Help A Reporter Out (HARO) is a great way to get backlinks from well-known news sites. Signing up as a source is quick and easy, taking less than a minute. Once registered, you’ll receive three emails daily from Monday to Friday, listing articles that reporters need information for.

To get started:

1. Sign up for a HARO account as a source.
2. Opt to receive daily emails.
3. Pick relevant queries and respond directly via email.

When a journalist uses your information, you’ll get a backlink to your site, often from a high-authority news site. This can help improve your search engine rankings.

2. SourceBottle

SourceBottle is a fantastic tool for getting free publicity by connecting with journalists, bloggers, and writers. This service is similar to HARO, where you respond to media queries to get your name out there. When your contribution gets approved and published, you earn a valuable backlink!

To get started, sign up on SourceBottle and receive query emails in your inbox daily. You can also browse queries directly on the site. Just go to the “Be A Source” section in the top navigation menu and click on “browse free publicity opportunities by topic” to see the current listings. Choose the industries that are relevant to you and start exploring the many possibilities.

SourceBottle is mainly targeted at writers and sources in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and Canada. However, people from other countries can also use it by selecting a random country from the list and specifying their actual location in the query forms.

3. Business 2 Community

Business 2 Community (B2C) is a content-based community for business resources like posts, case studies, interviews, and white papers. The best way to get a backlink from Business 2 Community is to become a contributor by writing posts or syndicating your blog. You can also upload your white papers and webcasts through their Advertising program.

Make sure to follow their Contributor Guidelines to get your content approved. They have a strict policy regarding CTAs in the content, for example. If you have case studies and white papers, you can promote them on B2C and get backlinks from the site and from anyone else who finds and links to them.

4. BizSugar

BizSugar is a platform where you can share small business news, tips, blog posts, and information with a community of small business owners and entrepreneurs. This is a moderated community, so only high-quality content gets approved and published. To get started, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the platform. Then, sign up and start sharing and syndicating your content.

5. GrowthHackers

GrowthHackers is a vibrant community where growth hackers share and discuss original content. You can post your own articles and also share content that sparks growth-focused discussions. The best part? You get a followed link for your efforts!

To get started, register on the site and begin by contributing to discussions. It’s wise to post quality feedback on others’ work before sharing your own. This helps you build authority and trust within the community.

The more you engage, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn backlinks. Set aside some time each week to interact with others in the comments. This community is very discussion-driven, so active participation is key.

Engaging regularly with the GrowthHackers community can open up more opportunities for backlinks and help you become a trusted voice in the field.

6. Pen.io

Pen.io is a simple platform that lets you create a one-page, standalone site. You can add backlinks to it! This makes it a good option for creating announcements, freebies, and landing pages that are separate from your main website. You can also use it to promote a giveaway or contest.

The only downside is that Pen.io uses HTTP without an SSL certificate, so it may not give you as much SEO strength as you wish. HTTPS is a lightweight ranking signal, and its absence might affect your search visibility.

7. “Write for Us” Sites

Guest posting on “Write for Us” sites is a great way to get backlinks. Many blogs accept guest posts in various niches, such as sports, fashion, health, and finance. To find these opportunities, search for your niche along with the term “write for us.” For example, you could search for “write for us” content marketing.

Once you find suitable sites, make a list of the best ones and reach out to them. Pitch or submit quality content tailored to their readers. Some sites allow you to add backlinks in the author bio, while others let you include one or two relevant links in the body of the post.

Guest posting not only helps you get backlinks but also exposes your content to a new audience, boosting your site’s visibility.

8. Resource Pages

Resource pages are collections of helpful links and tools on a specific topic. Getting your site listed on these pages can provide high-quality backlinks. To find these pages, search for terms like “helpful resources” followed by your niche. For example, if you run a DIY blog, you might search for “DIY helpful resources.” Once you find a relevant page, identify a post on your site that fits well with the listed resources.

Reach out to the webmaster with a friendly email, introducing your site and suggesting your post as a valuable addition. Don’t insist, but make a polite suggestion. These listings are usually editorial, which means they are high quality and can significantly boost your site’s credibility.

Resource page link building is a great way to build links at scale with little to no investment. Learn how to do it step by step with my tutorial & video.

9. DeviantArt

DeviantArt is a well-known platform for artists to showcase their work. While it doesn’t offer SEO-boosting backlinks due to its nofollow link policy, it can still be a valuable source of traffic. When you post your art and include links to your site, you can attract visitors who are interested in your work. This can lead to increased engagement and even paid commissions if you are an artist.

To make the most out of DeviantArt, focus on building a strong community. Engage with other users by commenting on their work and participating in groups. This will help you gain visibility and drive traffic to your site.

Consistent engagement and a personal touch can make a significant difference in building a loyal following on DeviantArt.

Although the platform uses redirects for external links, the traffic you can generate from an active and engaged community is still worthwhile. So, if you’re an artist or have visually appealing content, DeviantArt can be a great addition to your backlink strategy.

10. Tumblr

Tumblr is a well-known platform where you can share visual content like GIFs, images, and photos. Founded in 2007, it has a global rank of 91 on Similar Web and receives around 300 million visits each month. You can add a link back to your site in your profile, which can help you get noticed by Tumblr’s 198 million monthly users.

While all outgoing Tumblr links are redirects since 2016, the platform is still a valuable resource for nofollow backlinks, traffic, and community building. This means you won’t get an SEO boost, but you can still drive traffic to your site and engage with a large audience.

11. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful professional network where you can create a personal profile and a company page. This platform allows you to share your company news and attract other professionals to visit your site. Although backlinks from LinkedIn posts are nofollow, the community is strong and can help put your content in front of many eyes.

• Create a personal profile and a company page.
• Share company news and updates.
• Engage with LinkedIn Groups to expand your reach.
• Syndicate content for discussion and conversion.

Use LinkedIn posts to syndicate content and encourage discussion in the comments. This can drive traffic to your site even if the backlinks are nofollow.

12. Medium

Medium is a well-known blogging platform where you can link back to your website. You can create a profile and share articles with an audience of 100 million active monthly users. It’s a great place to write new content, republish existing content, or start discussions.

Key Facts

• Founded: 2011
• Global Rank (Similar Web): 358
• Total Visits (Similar Web): 158.1 million
• Top Countries: USA, India, UK

How to Use Medium for Backlinks

1. Create a profile and complete it with relevant information about your website.
2. Write and publish high-quality articles that include links back to your site.
3. Engage with readers by responding to comments and encouraging discussions.
4. Share your Medium articles on other social media platforms to increase visibility.

Medium is a powerful tool for backlink building and boosting your website’s authority. By sharing valuable content, you can attract a large audience and drive traffic to your site.

13. Quora

Quora is a massive question-and-answer platform where anyone can ask questions and anyone else can answer them. This site is great for building authority because you can become a helpful resource. If your advice is good, readers will be triggered to click on your link and find out more about you.

• Founded: 2009
• Global rank (Similar Web): 65
• Total visits (Similar Web): 2.4 billion
• Top countries: USA, UK, Canada

To get backlinks through Quora, write detailed and helpful answers. Include links to your site in your responses. This way, people will know where to find you. Share your expertise with over 400 million monthly active users.

Quora is a great place to find answers, but if you’re looking to boost your website’s traffic and authority, check out our platform. At GUESTPOSTNET, we make link building easy and effective. Our service connects you with over 90,000 media outlets worldwide. Ready to take your SEO strategy to the next level?

Conclusion

Building backlinks is essential for improving your website’s visibility and ranking on search engines. By using the 13 free sources we’ve discussed, you can start gaining valuable backlinks without spending a dime. Remember, while these methods are free, they do require time and effort. Stay consistent, be patient, and watch your site’s traffic grow. Happy link building!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a backlink?

A backlink is a link from one website to another. Search engines use backlinks to help determine a site’s ranking.

Why are backlinks important for SEO?

Backlinks are important because they signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy and relevant, which can improve your search rankings.

How can I get free backlinks?

You can get free backlinks by using sources like HARO, SourceBottle, and Medium, among others. These platforms allow you to share your content and get linked back to your site.

What is HARO?

HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is a platform where journalists seek expert opinions. By providing your insights, you can earn backlinks to your site.

Are all backlinks equally valuable?

No, not all backlinks are equal. Backlinks from high-authority sites are more valuable than those from low-authority sites.

Can social media platforms provide backlinks?

Yes, social media platforms like LinkedIn and Tumblr can provide backlinks when you share your content and others link back to your site.