How it works
Paste your URL
directree crawls your site and builds a structured listing with categories, pricing, integrations, and a plain-language description. No form to fill out.
Claim your listing
Sign in, claim the listing, and verify your domain. This confirms you own the software and unlocks the full listing editor.
Get your backlink
Verified listings display a do-follow backlink badge. Google crawls it. The link points directly to your site – no redirects, no rel=nofollow.
Why software backlinks matter in 2026
Search authority
Do-follow links from credible sources pass PageRank to your domain. For a new SaaS competing in any niche, five to ten quality directory links can move you from page four to page one faster than writing 50 blog posts.
AI search citations
ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini trust structured directory data. Brands listed on credible directories are 6.5x more likely to be cited in AI answers. A directory listing is now a GEO asset, not just an SEO asset.
Referral traffic
A well-maintained listing sends trickle traffic that compounds over months. Buyers comparing tools on a directory arrive with high intent – they already know roughly what they need.
For a deeper look at backlink types and what actually moves the needle, read our guide on do-follow vs no-follow backlinks. For the broader discovery picture, see what a software directory actually does in 2026.
Where to get software backlinks: a plain comparison
| Source | Do-follow? | Cost | Speed | Link quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| directree | Yes (verified) | Free | ~30 sec | High – honest, structured, crawled |
| G2 / Capterra | No-follow | Free basic | Days – weeks | High authority, no PageRank pass-through |
| Generic link farms | Often yes | $5 – $50 | Hours | Low / spam risk |
| Guest posts (relevant blogs) | Usually yes | Time or paid | Weeks | High if genuinely contextual |
| Product Hunt | No-follow | Free | Launch day | High brand signal, no direct SEO pass |
Observed data where available. G2/Capterra link attributes based on public verification, 2026.
Honest take: a backlink from directree is a solid first citation for a new domain – not a silver bullet. It is a credible, structured, do-follow link from a real directory with labelled facts. Combine it with a handful of niche community directories, one or two genuine guest posts, and a Product Hunt or Hacker News mention, and you have a healthy starter profile. directree will not make a weak product rank. It will make a good product discoverable faster.
Common questions
What is a software backlink?
A software backlink is an inbound link from another website pointing to your software's homepage or landing page. When the link is do-follow, it passes SEO authority (PageRank) to your domain, helping it rank higher in search results. Software directories, review sites, and blog posts are the most common sources.
Is the directree backlink really do-follow?
Yes. When you claim and verify your listing on directree, you earn a do-follow backlink badge from directree to your domain. The badge displays on your listing and links directly to your site without redirects or nofollow attributes.
Does listing my software cost anything?
Submitting and claiming a listing is free. directree Plus ($19 per year at the early-bird rate) adds optional visibility features like Relaunch and a gold frame, but the do-follow backlink is available on the free tier.
How long does it take to get listed?
Paste your URL and an AI-generated listing appears in about 30 seconds. Claiming and verifying domain ownership takes a few minutes more. The do-follow backlink goes live as soon as you verify.
What makes a software backlink high quality?
Quality comes from the linking domain's authority, relevance, and the honesty of the listing. A backlink from a credible, structured, regularly-crawled directory is worth far more than one from a low-traffic link farm. directree listings include labelled facts (Observed, AI-inferred, Founder-edited) which makes them trustworthy sources for both search engines and AI models.
Ready to get your software backlink?
Paste a URL. Get a structured, honest listing. Claim it and earn your do-follow link – free, no card required.
Submit your tool for freeAlready listed? Browse recent launches to see how other founders present their tools.