How to Get Dofollow Backlinks in 2026: The Complete Guide

1. Get Listed in Quality Website Directories

Not all directories are created equal. Spam directories with thousands of unvetted listings will hurt your SEO. But curated directories that review every submission — like Web Review — provide genuine SEO value.

A quality directory listing gives you a permanent dofollow backlink from a growing domain. As the directory's Domain Rating increases over time, every backlink from it becomes more valuable. Check our list of free directories that accept submissions.

Submit your website to Web Review for free and get a dofollow backlink plus an AI-generated review that helps your listing get cited by AI search engines.

2. Create Link-Worthy Content

The most sustainable way to earn backlinks is to create content that other websites naturally want to reference. Not all content attracts links equally. Here are the formats that consistently earn the most backlinks:

Think about what makes you want to link to a resource. It's usually because it answers a question definitively, provides data you can't find elsewhere, or offers a tool that solves a specific problem. Create that for your niche.

3. Guest Posting on Relevant Blogs

Writing guest posts for websites in your industry is a classic link-building strategy that still works. The key is to target relevant, high-quality blogs — not generic “write for us” farms that accept anything.

Look for blogs with an Ahrefs DR of 30 or higher that publish content related to your niche. Pitch unique topics that their audience would find valuable. Most guest post agreements include at least one dofollow link back to your site in the author bio or within the content.

4. HARO and Journalist Outreach

Platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out), Connectively, Qwoted, and similar services connect journalists with expert sources. When a journalist quotes you in an article, you typically get a dofollow backlink from a high-authority news site (often DR 70+).

Respond within 1–2 hours of a query going live. Provide specific, quotable answers with concrete numbers or examples. Include your credentials and a brief bio. Even one placement on a major publication like Forbes, Business Insider, or TechCrunch can move your Domain Rating significantly.

5. Build Relationships, Not Just Links

The best backlinks come from genuine relationships. Engage with other website owners in your industry, share their content, comment thoughtfully on their posts, and collaborate on projects. When people know and trust you, they naturally link to your content.

Relationship-based link building produces the most sustainable and highest-quality backlink profile. It also opens doors to co-marketing opportunities, podcast features, and joint content that generate additional links over time.

6. Broken Link Building

Find websites in your niche that link to broken (404) pages. Create content that covers the same topic as the dead page, then reach out to the site owner and suggest they replace the broken link with yours.

This works because you're solving a problem for the website owner — nobody wants broken links on their site — while earning a quality backlink. Tools like Ahrefs (Content Explorer → filter by “404 not found”) and Semrush can help you find broken link opportunities at scale.

7. Get Reviewed on AI-Powered Directories

In 2026, AI search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity increasingly pull recommendations from trusted directories and review sites. Getting your website reviewed on platforms like Web Review not only gives you a dofollow backlink but also increases your chances of being recommended by AI search tools.

AI engines prioritize sources with structured, factual content and strong domain authority. A well-written review page with your backlink on a trusted directory feeds directly into the knowledge base these models use.

8. Resource Page Link Building

Many websites maintain resource pages — curated lists of useful tools, guides, or services in a specific industry. These pages exist specifically to link out, making them high-conversion outreach targets.

Search for terms like “your niche” + “useful resources” or “your niche” + “recommended tools” in Google. When you find a relevant resource page, check its DR with our free DR checker, then reach out with a brief, specific pitch explaining why your site belongs on their list.

9. Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions

If someone mentions your brand, product, or founder by name but doesn't link to your website, that's an easy outreach opportunity. The author already knows about you and views you positively — they just forgot to add the link.

Set up Google Alerts for your brand name, product name, and key personnel. When you find an unlinked mention, send a polite email thanking them for the mention and asking if they'd be willing to add a link. Conversion rates for unlinked mention outreach are typically 10–20%, much higher than cold outreach.

10. Create and Distribute Free Tools

Free online tools naturally attract backlinks because they provide ongoing utility. Bloggers and journalists link to useful tools when writing about a topic. The tool itself becomes a linkable asset that earns backlinks passively over time.

Examples include calculators, graders, checkers, and generators relevant to your industry. For instance, our Bulk Domain Rating Checker is a free tool that SEO professionals find useful and naturally reference in their content about domain authority.