Backlink ROI calculator for directory submission
Updated Markdown version
1. Choose how many directories per category
Counts, median DR and free numbers are LinkPing snapshot data (2026-10-20, 410 directories; DR by Ahrefs where known).
| Category | In library | Median DR | Free | Dofollow (known) | Your count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI tool directory | 183 | 36 | 70 (38%) | 70 of 80 | |
| Launch platform | 52 | 57 | 32 (62%) | 20 of 22 | |
| SaaS review site | 31 | 80 | 16 (52%) | 3 of 6 | |
| Web directory | 57 | 61 | 38 (67%) | 14 of 16 | |
| Startup directory | 18 | 65 | 9 (50%) | 3 of 3 | |
| Developer platform | 21 | 91 | 0 (0%) | 0 of 0 | |
| Business listing | 12 | 89 | 0 (0%) | 0 of 0 | |
| App store | 5 | 96 | 0 (0%) | 1 of 1 | |
| Community | 31 | 79 | 0 (0%) | 0 of 0 |
2. Check the assumptions
These are assumptions, not LinkPing measurements. Change them to match your own pace.
3. Result
Free count = your picks times each category's free share in the snapshot. Dofollow is only counted among directories whose link we have checked; the rest are unknown, not assumed. This calculator does not predict DR or traffic gains.
What this calculator does
Pick how many directories you plan to submit to in each category. The calculator shows how many are free, and the hours and cost of doing it by hand versus with pre-filled forms. The category counts and free shares come from LinkPing's directory library (snapshot 2026-10-20, 410 directories). The minutes per submission are assumptions you can change.
What is data and what is assumption
| Number | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Directories per category, median DR, free count | LinkPing snapshot data | Our library, 2026-10-20, 410 public directories; DR by Ahrefs where known |
| Minutes per manual submission (default 20) | Assumption | Research, form, captcha, confirmation. Replace with your own measurement |
| Minutes per assisted submission (default 4) | Assumption | Review a pre-filled form and press submit. Not a measured LinkPing average |
| Hourly value of your time | Assumption | Yours to set |
How to use the result
Use the hours to decide whether to do a batch yourself or automate it, and the median DR column to prioritise categories. Then work through the lists linked below the calculator.
Next step: submit to free directories today
A clean page earns more from backlinks. These 5 directories were free with no account needed in LinkPing's 2026-10-20 snapshot, and the full free list has the rest.
- scamadviser.com (DR 81)
- Active Search Results Search Engine (DR 74)
- Viesearch (DR 72)
- Website Launches (DR 71)
- ExactSeek (DR 70)
FAQ
How long does it take to submit to a directory?
It varies widely. The calculator defaults to 20 minutes by hand, an assumption covering finding the form, writing the listing, solving a captcha and confirming by email. Change it to match your own pace.
Does the calculator estimate how much DR I will gain?
No. Directory links are one signal among many, and gains depend on factors outside any calculator. It reports effort and the mix of free and paid sites only.
Where do the directory numbers come from?
From the LinkPing library: each directory is probed for price, login and link attributes. The snapshot is dated 2026-10-20. Fields we could not verify are counted as unknown, never guessed.
How is the number of free directories estimated?
By applying the category's share of directories known to be free to the number you picked. It is an estimate of the mix, not a list.