The 29 Best Startup Directories for 2026 (by Domain Rating)

Why Domain Rating Matters

When choosing where to submit your startup, Domain Rating (DR) is one of the most important factors to consider. Here's why:

• Higher DR = More SEO Value: Links from high-DR sites pass more authority to your site
• Trust Signal: High-DR sites are typically well-established and trusted by search engines
• Quality Over Quantity: One link from a DR 90 site can be worth more than 50 links from DR 10 sites

The Top 29 Directories for 2026

We've curated the best directories based on Domain Rating, submission process, and value for startups. Here's the complete list:

Tier 1: DR 90+ (The Heavy Hitters)

1. Product Hunt (DR 91)

Best for: Product launches, early adopters, tech-savvy users

Product Hunt remains the gold standard for product launches. A successful launch can bring thousands of visitors and valuable backlinks.

Tips:

• Launch on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
• Prepare a "hunter" in advance
• Engage actively during your launch day
• Have your team ready to respond to comments

2. Hacker News (DR 91)

Best for: Developer tools, technical products, startups with interesting technology

Hacker News (Show HN) can drive massive traffic for the right product. The community is highly technical and appreciates innovation.

Tips:

• Use "Show HN:" prefix for new products
• Focus on the technical story
• Be prepared for tough questions
• Don't self-promote excessively

3. Reddit (DR 91)

Best for: Finding niche communities, authentic engagement

Reddit has subreddits for almost every niche. Find relevant communities and engage authentically.

Tips:

• Read subreddit rules carefully
• Build karma before posting
• Be helpful, not promotional
• r/SideProject, r/startups, r/EntrepreneurRideAlong are good starting points

4. Gumroad Discover (DR 90)

Best for: Digital products, courses, indie makers

If you're selling digital products, Gumroad Discover gives you access to their built-in marketplace.

Tips:

• Optimize your product images
• Write compelling descriptions
• Price competitively for discovery
• Engage with the Gumroad community

Tier 2: DR 60-89 (Solid Authority)

5. YourStory (DR 73)

Best for: Indian startups, funding announcements, company news

YourStory is excellent for startups targeting the Indian market or announcing funding.

6. Beehiiv (DR 69)

Best for: Newsletter tools, creator economy products

Great for products in the newsletter and creator space.

7. ShipFa.st (DR 68)

Best for: SaaS products, developer tools, boilerplates

Popular among indie hackers building SaaS products.

8. SaaSHub (DR 66)

Best for: SaaS alternatives, software comparisons

Excellent for being discovered when users search for alternatives to established products.

9. DevHunt (DR 58)

Best for: Developer tools, open source projects

Specifically targeted at developers, making it ideal for technical products.

10. FreeStuff.dev (DR 57)

Best for: Free tools, developer resources

If your product has a free tier, this is a must-submit directory.

Tier 3: DR 40-59 (Growing Authority)

11. AITools.fyi (DR 56)

Best for: AI products, ML tools, automation

The AI tool directory space is growing. Get listed early.

12. TinyStartups (DR 53)

Best for: Bootstrapped products, indie makers

Community-focused directory for small, independent products.

13. Uneed.best (DR 50)

Best for: Unique tools, productivity apps

Curated directory focusing on useful products.

14. BetaList (DR 49)

Best for: Pre-launch products, beta testing

Perfect for getting early users before your official launch.

15. There's An AI For That (DR 49)

Best for: AI tools of all types

Comprehensive AI directory with good traffic.

Tier 4: DR 38-49 (Niche Value)

The remaining directories in our list range from DR 38-48. While their individual authority is lower, they still provide valuable:

• Niche relevance: Targeted audiences
• Dofollow links: Direct SEO value
• Discovery: New user acquisition

These include:

• IndiePa.ge (DR 48)
• Fazier (DR 47)
• 10Words (DR 46)
• Startups.fyi (DR 44)
• StartupBase (DR 43)
• Launched (DR 42)
• MicroLaunch (DR 42)
• IndieHackers.net (DR 41)
• NicheTools (DR 40)
• TheIndieWall (DR 40)
• ToolPilot (DR 40)
• TopAI.tools (DR 39)
• Landingfolio (DR 38)
• SaaSPo (DR 38)

How to Maximize Your Submissions

1. Prioritize by DR

Start with the highest DR sites and work your way down. This ensures you get the most valuable links first.

2. Customize Your Approach

Each directory has its own audience and requirements. Tailor your submission to match:

• Technical audiences (HN, DevHunt): Focus on technology
• Indie audiences (PH, TinyStartups): Focus on the journey
• AI audiences (AITools.fyi, TAIFT): Focus on AI capabilities

3. Track Your Progress

Use a spreadsheet to track:

• Submission date
• Approval status
• Link verification
• Referral traffic

4. Follow Up

Many directories require verification or additional information. Check your email and respond promptly.

Get the Full List

Want detailed submission guides for each of these 29 directories? Our free sites page includes:

• Direct submission links
• Specific requirements for each site
• Tips for getting approved
• Expected review timelines

Summary

Building backlinks through directory submissions is a proven strategy for growing your startup's online presence. Focus on:

1. Quality over quantity - High-DR sites matter most
2. Consistency - Use the same branding everywhere
3. Patience - Space submissions over time
4. Engagement - Participate in communities authentically

Ready to start? View our complete directory list and begin building your backlink profile today.