What is startup link submission?
Startup link submission is the practice of submitting your website's link to directories, launch platforms, and listing sites to earn backlinks. For a new startup with no link profile yet, it is the fastest, cheapest way to get your first quality links — the ones that help search engines discover, trust, and rank your site.
Why directory links are a fast SEO win
- Your first backlinks. A brand-new domain has none; directories are the easiest way to get from zero to a healthy starting profile.
- Faster discovery and indexing. Links from crawled directories help Google find your pages sooner.
- A stronger brand SERP. Directory listings often rank for your brand name, filling the first page with pages you control.
- Referral traffic. Unlike many link tactics, good directories send real visitors too.
Dofollow vs nofollow links
Not every link passes SEO value. Dofollow links pass authority to your site; nofollow links generally do not, though they still bring traffic and a natural-looking profile. Prioritise directories that give dofollow links — like SubmitHunt — but do not ignore high-traffic nofollow listings, because a natural link profile contains both.
How to submit your startup link
- Pick high-authority directories first (DR 30+) so each link carries weight.
- Keep your anchor text and description consistent across sites — usually your brand name or a natural phrase, not stuffed keywords.
- Submit to a batch of directories in one session while your details are fresh.
- Verify the backlink went live and check whether it is dofollow after approval.
For where to submit, work from our list of the best startup listing websites and, for software products, the best SaaS directories.
Get your links indexed
A backlink only helps once Google has crawled the page it sits on. After your listings go live, make sure the directory pages get indexed — submit your own key URLs in Search Console, and favour directories that are crawled often and link to listings from their feed or homepage.
Avoid the spam trap
Resist the urge to blast your link to hundreds of low-quality directories. Spammy bulk submission can do more harm than good. A focused set of relevant, indexable submissions wins — exactly the approach we lay out in building quality backlinks for your startup.
Get your first dofollow backlink
Submit your startup link to SubmitHunt and earn a dofollow backlink from a real, crawled directory. Free to start.
Submit Your Startup