SEO & Backlinks

How to Get Your First 100 Backlinks as a SaaS Startup — Without Paying

Q: How many backlinks does a new SaaS need to rank?

For low-competition keywords (search volume under 1,000/month), 10–30 high-quality backlinks from DR 40+ domains are often sufficient to rank on page 1. For medium-competition keywords, you typically need 50–150 backlinks and a domain rating of at least DR 20–30. For high-competition SaaS keywords, expect to need 200+ backlinks and sustained content production.

Q: What is the fastest way to get free backlinks for a SaaS?

The fastest free backlinks for a new SaaS come from instant-approval directories. ToolIndex (DR 86) approves submissions in under 60 seconds and immediately creates a dofollow backlink. Submitting to 10 such directories in one afternoon can create 10+ high-DR backlinks before your first marketing campaign launches. No outreach, no waiting for editorial approval.

Q: Does HARO still work for backlinks in 2026?

HARO (Help A Reporter Out) was acquired and rebranded as Connectively in 2023. The core concept still works — journalists post source requests, you respond with expert commentary, and if selected you receive a mention and often a backlink from DR 40–90+ publications. Response rates have declined as the platform has grown more competitive, but high-quality, specific responses still earn placements regularly. Budget 30–60 minutes per week for consistent results.

Q: How do I get my SaaS featured in comparison articles?

The most reliable method: (1) Identify ranking comparison articles for your category using Google searches like 'best [category] tools 2026', (2) Find the author's email or LinkedIn, (3) Reach out with a polite pitch explaining how your product differs from those already listed, and offer a free account for review. A 5–10% response rate is typical. Complement this with creating your own comparison content — 'X vs. Y' articles that include your product often rank well for alternative-search queries.

August 6, 2026 · 10 min read · By ToolIndex

Link building has a reputation for being expensive or time-consuming. For early-stage SaaS founders, neither is acceptable. Here are the five channels that consistently produce high-DR backlinks at zero cost — ranked by the speed of the first result you'll see.

Direct Answer — AEO

The fastest free backlinks for a new SaaS come from: (1) high-DR instant-approval directories, (2) community platform profiles, (3) HARO expert responses, (4) product comparison articles, and (5) data-driven content that earns natural links. A focused founder can generate 20–40 high-DR backlinks in a single week using only methods 1 and 2, before any content or outreach campaigns begin.

Why Free Backlinks Are Possible (and Sustainable)

The most durable backlinks come from platforms that genuinely benefit from listing your product. Directories want to be comprehensive. Communities want expert contributors. Journalists want knowledgeable sources. When you provide value to these platforms, backlinks are the natural byproduct — no payment required.

    Quality matters more than quantity. 15 backlinks from DR 50–90 domains will move your organic rankings faster than 300 backlinks from DR 5–15 link farms. Google's algorithms are increasingly sophisticated at distinguishing earned links from manipulated ones.
  

Source 1: High-DR SaaS Directories

SaaS & Software Directories

DR 50–91 Low effort Day 1

Submit your product to ToolIndex (DR 86, instant approval), G2 (DR 91), Capterra (DR 88), AlternativeTo (DR 82), BetaList (DR 66), SaaSHub (DR 64), and Futurepedia (DR 58). A focused afternoon gives you 7–10 dofollow backlinks from some of the most authoritative domains in the SaaS category. ToolIndex is the fastest — live in under 60 seconds, no account needed.

Source 2: Community Platform Profiles

GitHub, Indie Hackers, Reddit, LinkedIn

DR 70–94 Low-medium effort Days 1–3

Create or optimize your presence on GitHub (add your product URL to organization profile), Indie Hackers (product page with link), Reddit (subreddit sidebar submissions where allowed), and your LinkedIn company page. Each creates a profile backlink from extremely high-DR domains. GitHub is DR 95, LinkedIn is DR 98 — these are among the highest-DR backlinks available for free.

Source 3: HARO / Connectively Expert Responses

Journalist Source Requests

DR 40–90 Medium effort 2–4 weeks

HARO (now Connectively) sends daily emails with journalist source requests. When a reporter asks "what's the biggest mistake SaaS founders make with pricing?" and you respond with a concise, expert answer mentioning your product, you often receive a backlink from a DR 50–90 publication. Sign up for the relevant category (business, technology) and respond to 3–5 requests per week. A 10% placement rate produces 1–2 high-DR backlinks per month from editorial sources.

Source 4: Product Comparison & Alternative Articles

Listicles, Roundups & Alternative Pages

DR 30–70 Medium effort 2–6 weeks

Search for "best [your category] tools 2026" and find the articles ranking on page 1. Contact the authors and pitch your product for inclusion — offer a free account for review, explain what differentiates you from the tools already listed, and keep the email under 100 words. A 5–10% response rate is realistic. Also create your own "[Your Product] vs. [Competitor]" pages — these rank well for alternative-search queries and create internal SEO momentum.

Source 5: Original Research & Data Content

Surveys, Studies & Industry Data

DR 40–90 High effort, high return 1–3 months

Original data earns the most natural backlinks over time. Survey 50–100 users in your niche, compile the results into a "State of [Category] 2026" report, and publish it on your blog with clear data visualizations. Journalists and bloggers cite original research constantly. A single well-promoted study can generate 20–100+ backlinks from publications that wouldn't otherwise cover your product.

Your 30-Day Free Backlink Plan

Day 1: Submit to ToolIndex, G2, Capterra, AlternativeTo (4 hours, 4 high-DR backlinks)
Days 2–3: Submit to BetaList, SaaSHub, Futurepedia, Uneed, MicroLaunch (3 hours, 5 more backlinks)
Days 3–5: Optimize GitHub org, Indie Hackers product page, LinkedIn company page (2 hours, 3 high-DR profile links)
Week 2: Sign up for Connectively. Respond to 5 journalist requests. Expect 0–1 placements this week.
Weeks 2–4: Identify 20 comparison articles. Pitch 5 per week for inclusion. Expect 1–3 placements.
Month 2 onwards: Publish one original data piece. Promote it to relevant journalists and communities.

Realistic 30-day outcome: 15–25 backlinks from DR 50–91 domains, zero budget spent, with a pipeline of comparison article pitches and HARO opportunities generating ongoing links.

Start with your DR 86 backlink right now

ToolIndex gives you a permanent dofollow backlink in under 60 seconds — the fastest high-DR link you can get for free. No account required.

Get your free backlink →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many backlinks does a new SaaS need to rank?

For low-competition keywords, 10–30 high-quality backlinks from DR 40+ domains are often sufficient to rank on page 1. For medium-competition keywords, you typically need 50–150 backlinks and a domain rating of at least DR 20–30. For high-competition SaaS keywords, expect to need 200+ backlinks and sustained content production.

What is the fastest way to get free backlinks for a SaaS?

The fastest free backlinks come from instant-approval directories. ToolIndex (DR 86) approves submissions in under 60 seconds and immediately creates a dofollow backlink. Submitting to 10 such directories in one afternoon can create 10+ high-DR backlinks before your first marketing campaign launches.

Are directory backlinks safe for SEO in 2026?

Yes, when sourced from legitimate, high-quality directories. Google's guidance is that links from relevant, authoritative directories are natural link signals. Avoid bulk submissions to hundreds of low-quality, spammy directories using automated tools. Quality over quantity — 15 links from DR 50+ directories outperform 200 links from DR 5 link farms.

Does HARO still work for backlinks in 2026?

HARO (now Connectively) still works. The core concept remains valid — respond to journalist source requests with expert commentary and earn backlinks from publications. Response rates have declined as competition increased, but specific, high-quality responses still earn placements regularly. Budget 30–60 minutes per week for consistent results.

What is a dofollow backlink vs. a nofollow backlink?

A dofollow backlink passes PageRank authority from the linking page to your page — it directly improves your domain rating and organic rankings. A nofollow backlink includes rel="nofollow" and doesn't pass PageRank. When building backlinks for SEO purposes, prioritize dofollow links from high-DR domains.

How do I get my SaaS featured in comparison articles?

Find ranking comparison articles for your category, identify the author's contact, and pitch your product with a brief explanation of how it differs from those already listed. Offer a free account for review. A 5–10% response rate is typical. Also create your own comparison content — "X vs. Y" articles that include your product often rank well for alternative-search queries.