Do directory backlinks still help SEO in 2026?
Directory backlinks help modestly and indirectly: a handful of relevant, reputable listings can support discovery and brand mentions, but bulk submissions to low-quality directories add little. In LinkPing's library, 111 of 128 directories with a known link type are dofollow, and 228 of 410 sit at DR 50 or higher (snapshot 2026-10-20); relevance still matters more than the number.
Updated Markdown version
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Directories tracked | 410 |
| Known to pass dofollow links | 111 of 128 with known link type |
| Median DR (sites with DR) | 56 (n = 410) |
| Directories at DR 50 or higher | 228 of 410 |
What matters
- Relevance and quality. A link from a curated SaaS or AI directory with real visitors is worth more than ten links from pages nobody reads.
- Brand and entity signals. Consistent listings with the same name and description help search and AI systems recognise your product.
- Referral traffic. Some launch platforms send actual visitors, which is a benefit regardless of link attributes.
- Not a ranking shortcut. Directory links alone rarely move competitive keywords; they are a starting base before editorial links.
Data pending. LinkPing does not yet have enough submission records to publish measured ranking or DR change after submissions, and we will not estimate it. LinkPing is measuring this; results will be published in the monthly Directory Index at /data once the sample is large enough to be meaningful.
Related directories
Related questions
- Can directory submissions hurt my site (toxic / spam links)?
- Do nofollow directory links have any value for AI search?
- How much does DR go up after submitting to 50 directories?
Domain Rating by Ahrefs. DR values are from LinkPing's directory snapshot dated 2026-10-20.
Source: LinkPing directory library snapshot 2026-10-20. Figures update when the snapshot is refreshed.
Frequently asked questions
Are directory links dofollow?
Many are. In LinkPing's library 87% of directories with a known link type are dofollow (111 of 128, 2026-10-20).
Is directory submission a black-hat technique?
No, listing in real directories is ordinary marketing. Mass submission to low-quality or irrelevant sites, or paying for link packages, is where problems begin.