What is a SaaS directory backlink?

A SaaS directory backlink is a link from a startup or SaaS listing platform pointing to your product's website. Depending on the directory, these links can be dofollow (passing SEO value) or nofollow (no direct SEO value but still good for traffic and brand awareness).

Do directory backlinks still work for SEO?

Yes, high-quality directory backlinks still work for SEO in 2026. Google values editorial, niche-relevant backlinks from directories with high domain authority. The key is quality over quantity — 10 backlinks from DR 50+ directories are far more valuable than 100 links from low-quality directories.

Which SaaS directories offer dofollow links?

saasuji (DR 68), BetaList (DR 65), AlternativeTo (DR 72), and Crunchbase (DR 75) all offer dofollow backlinks. Many larger platforms like Product Hunt and G2 use nofollow tags, which don't pass direct SEO value but are still worth submitting to for referral traffic.

SaaS Directory Backlinks: Complete Guide to Building Domain Authority for Your Startup

Everything founders need to know about SaaS directory backlinks — which directories provide dofollow links, how they impact SEO, and a step-by-step submission checklist.

September 4, 20268 min readBy Saasuji Editorial Team

Backlinks remain one of Google's strongest ranking signals. For early-stage SaaS companies, directory backlinks offer the fastest path to building initial domain authority — but not all directories are equal.

What Makes a Good SaaS Directory Backlink?

Three factors determine whether a directory backlink helps your SEO:

Dofollow vs Nofollow: Only dofollow links pass PageRank (link equity). Many big platforms use nofollow (Product Hunt, G2). Check before you submit.
Domain Rating (DR): Higher DR = more link equity. A DR 50+ dofollow backlink is worth more than 10 low-DR links combined.
Relevance: Google values topical relevance. A SaaS listing on a SaaS-specific directory carries more weight than a generic web directory.

Top SaaS Directories With Dofollow Backlinks

Directory	DR	Link Type	Cost	Best For
saasuji