How to Get Your First Backlinks on a New Website in 2026

Quick answer: The easiest first backlinks for a new website come from places that already have a reason to mention you: reviewed startup directories and launch sites, tools you integrate with, partners, and niche blogs or podcasts. Aim for a few relevant links from real, indexed pages. Avoid bought link packages, link networks and automated submissions.

What is a backlink, and why does a new site need one?

A backlink is a link from another website to yours. Search engines use links to discover pages and as one of many ranking signals.

A brand-new site has none. Until it has a few, search engines may be slow to find and rank it.

How do you get backlinks for a new website?

Start with links you already qualify for, then earn the harder ones.

Do directory backlinks help SEO?

They can help a little, if the directory is well kept. Spammy or dead directories do nothing, and in bulk they look bad.

A good directory listing can:

• Help search engines find your site sooner.
• Pass some ranking signal.
• Send real visitors.

Before you submit, check:

• Listings are reviewed, not auto-approved.
• Listing pages are indexed (site:theirdomain.com on Google).
• There are recent listings.
• The category fits your product.

Our best startup directories 2026 page lists 300+ directories with Ahrefs Domain Rating, 40 of them checked by hand. It lists them by Domain Rating, highest first. Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs' 0 to 100 score for the strength of a site's backlinks. Useful for comparing, but it is not traffic.

We run IndieNeed, so here is the plain version:

• Every product gets a permanent product page. Free listings are reviewed by a person.
• Paid plans ($15 to $120, one-time) include a dofollow link: a normal link without nofollow, which search engines may count.
• A free listing can add one for $7.
• Browse listed products on our Domain Rating leaderboard.

It is one directory among many. Do not stop there.

Are launch sites good for backlinks?

They are better for visitors than for links.

• Many large launch platforms mark outbound links nofollow. Check each one yourself.
• Even nofollow links help people and crawlers find you.
• A good launch often leads to people writing about you on their own sites. That is where useful links come from.

Choosing where to launch? See our Product Hunt alternatives.

How do integration and partner pages earn links?

If your product works with another tool, that tool may list you. These links are relevant by definition.

1. List every tool your product connects to, uses or exports to.
2. Check each for an integrations directory, app marketplace or partner page.
3. Follow their process. Some need an approved app; some need a form.
4. Check tools you build with. Hosting, payment and framework companies sometimes showcase customers.
5. Ask partners. A joint guide or webinar with a non-competing product often comes with a link.

Does guest content still work in 2026?

Yes, when it is real content for a real audience.

• Guest posts: pitch a specific topic you know well to a blog your buyers read. Link to your site only where it helps the reader.
• Podcasts: niche shows need guests. Show notes usually link to you.
• Interviews: some startup blogs and newsletters feature makers.
• Expert answers: reply to writers' questions in your field when you have something specific to add.

Skip sites that publish any guest post for a fee, on any topic. That is a paid link, not guest content.

What content earns links on its own?

Pages that other people want to cite.

• A free tool related to your product: a calculator, checker or generator.
• Original data: a user survey, or anonymised numbers from your product.
• The clearest guide on a narrow topic. Not the longest. The clearest.

These take more work, but they keep earning links after you stop promoting them.

What should you avoid when building backlinks?

Avoid anything built to fake popularity. Google's spam policies describe these as link spam.

Google says paid or sponsored links should carry rel="sponsored" or rel="nofollow". See qualify your outbound links.

A good test for any listing, ours included: would you want it for the page and the visitors alone, even with no ranking value? If yes, it is a reasonable listing.

How long until new backlinks make a difference?

Weeks to months.

• Search engines must crawl the linking page, then your page, then reassess.
• Tools like Ahrefs also need time to find new links.
• Judge results over a quarter, not a week.

FAQ

How many backlinks does a new website need?

There is no set number. A handful of relevant links can be enough to get found and rank for specific, low-competition searches.

Are nofollow backlinks worthless?

No. They send visitors and help crawlers find you. Google treats nofollow as a hint, so it may still use some.

Should I buy backlinks for a new site?

Google's spam policies count links bought to pass ranking credit as link spam, so avoid link packages. If you pay for a listing, an ad or a sponsorship, judge it by the page and the visitors, not the link.

What is the fastest safe way to get backlinks?

Submit to a few reviewed directories, claim your integration and partner listings, and pitch one or two niche blogs or podcasts. All of that fits in the first month.