The Problem With Most Directory Lists
If you Google "startup directories," you'll find dozens of lists claiming "500+ directories to submit your startup." Sounds great, right?
Here's the problem: most of those directories are garbage.
I spent months analyzing 150+ directories, tracking which ones actually:
- Get approved and indexed
- Pass SEO value (DoFollow links)
- Drive real referral traffic
- Result in user signups
The results surprised me. Only about 100 directories are worth the submission effort. The rest are either dead, spammy, or so low-quality they might hurt your SEO more than help it.
Let me share what I found.
How I Evaluated Directories
For each directory, I tracked five key metrics:
1. Domain Rating (DR)
The strength of the directory's own backlink profile. Higher DR means more SEO value passed to you.
- Excellent: DR 60+
- Good: DR 40-59
- Acceptable: DR 20-39
- Questionable: DR < 20
2. DoFollow Rate
What percentage of their outbound links are DoFollow (passing SEO value)?
- Ideal: 80%+ DoFollow
- Good: 50-80% DoFollow
- Okay: Some DoFollow links
- Avoid: NoFollow only with no traffic
3. Traffic Volume
Does the directory get real visitors? I used SimilarWeb and Ahrefs estimates.
- High traffic: 100K+ monthly visits
- Medium traffic: 10K-100K monthly visits
- Low traffic: 1K-10K monthly visits
- Ghost town: < 1K monthly visits
4. Approval Rate & Speed
How quickly do they review submissions? Do they approve quality products?
- Fast: < 1 week
- Normal: 1-2 weeks
- Slow: 2-4 weeks
- Unreliable: No response or months of waiting
5. Audience Relevance
Does their audience match your target customers?
This is harder to quantify but crucial. A link from a development tools directory matters more for a dev tool than a link from a generic "cool sites" list.
The Tier System: Prioritizing Your Submissions
Based on my analysis, I categorize directories into four tiers:
Tier 1: Must-Submit (DR 50+, High Traffic)
These are the heavy hitters. They'll boost your SEO and potentially drive real users. Submit to these first, even if they're harder to get into.
Examples:
- Product Hunt (DR 91) - The gold standard for launches
- Hacker News (DR 92) - If you can get upvotes
- SaaSHub (DR 75) - Strong SaaS-focused directory
- BetaList (DR 74) - Great for beta launches
- AlternativeTo (DR 78) - Perfect if you're an alternative to popular tools
- G2 (DR 91) - Essential for B2B SaaS
- Capterra (DR 93) - Major software review site
Submission strategy: Take extra time on these. Quality screenshots, compelling descriptions, and good timing matter.
Tier 2: High Value (DR 30-50, Good Traffic)
These won't move the needle as dramatically, but they're reliable sources of backlinks and occasional referral traffic.
Examples:
- Indie Hackers (DR 71) - Strong indie community
- StartupStash (DR 48) - Curated startup resources
- MicroLaunch (DR 54) - Good for indie products
- TinyLaunch (DR 61) - Active launch community
- Uneed (DR 72) - Growing directory with good engagement
- GetApp (DR 86) - Gartner-owned software directory
- OpenAlternative (DR 50) - Open source alternatives
Submission strategy: Solid descriptions, but don't overthink it. Batch submit to several of these at once.
Tier 3: Worthwhile (DR 20-30, Niche Value)
Lower individual impact, but worth including for backlink diversity. These often have specific niches where they excel.
Examples:
- SaaSPO (DR 46) - Landing page showcase
- TopAI.tools (DR 48) - AI-specific directory
- Futurepedia (DR 56) - AI tools directory
- LaunchingNext (DR 32) - Startup launches
- StartupBuffer (DR 28) - Product discovery
- SideProjectors (DR 34) - Side project community
- All The AI Tools (DR 7) - Growing AI directory
Submission strategy: Quick submissions. Have a template ready and move through these efficiently.
Tier 4: Optional (DR < 20 or Limited Value)
Only submit if you have extra time. Low DR directories add minimal SEO value, though they can occasionally surprise you with referral traffic.
When to include Tier 4:
- You've exhausted higher tiers
- They're in your specific niche
- They have surprisingly active communities
- You need link diversity (many different referring domains)
Category Breakdown: Finding Your Niche Directories
Generic directories are good, but niche directories often convert better. Here's where to look based on your product type:
For AI/ML Products
- There's an AI for That (DR 67)
- Futurepedia (DR 56)
- TopAI.tools (DR 48)
- AI Tool Directory (DR 42)
- AI Scout (DR 35)
- AiToolsHunter (DR 38)
The AI space is hot, and new directories pop up constantly. Check which ones are actually maintained.
For Developer Tools
- DevHunt (DR 41)
- StackShare (DR 81)
- LibHunt (DR 61)
- Console.dev (DR 55)
- DevToolsDigest (growing)
Developer audiences are sophisticated. They'll see through fluff, so be genuine in your descriptions.
For No-Code Tools
- NoCodeList (DR 28)
- NoCode.tech (DR 33)
- MakerPad (DR 52) - now part of Zapier
- Built Without Code (growing)
For Design Tools
- Evernote Design (DR 46)
- Design Resources (DR 35)
- UX Tools (DR 41)
- Prototypr (DR 57)
For Productivity Apps
- ProductivityDirectory (DR 33)
- Slant (DR 61)
- AlternativeTo (DR 78)
- SaaSHub (DR 75)
Red Flags: Directories to Avoid
Not every directory is worth your time. Watch for these warning signs:
1. Outdated Design
If the site looks like it was built in 2005, it's probably not maintained. Dead directories can become link farms that hurt your SEO.
2. Pay-to-Play Only
Some directories require payment just to get listed. This isn't always bad (some premium directories are legitimate), but be cautious of:
- Sites that list anyone who pays
- No editorial standards
- Prices that seem arbitrarily high
3. No Recent Submissions
Check the "recently added" section. If the newest listing is from 6 months ago, the directory is likely abandoned.
4. Spammy Listings
Scroll through existing listings. If you see gambling sites, adult content, or obvious spam mixed with legitimate products, avoid it.
5. Negative SEO Indicators
Use Ahrefs to check for:
- Sudden DR drops (might be penalized)
- Suspicious backlink profiles (PBN links)
- Deindexed pages
6. No Contact Information
Legitimate directories have ways to reach them. If there's no email, social media, or support option, be wary.
The ROI of Directory Submissions
Let's talk numbers. What can you realistically expect from directory submissions?
SEO Impact
Based on data from clients who've used our submission service:
- Average DR increase: 8-15 points over 3-6 months
- New referring domains: 40-80+ from 100 submissions
- Indexing speed: Noticeably faster after establishing backlink foundation
Traffic Impact
This varies wildly based on product and directory relevance:
- Product Hunt: Can drive 500-10,000+ visitors on launch day
- Hacker News: If you hit front page, thousands of visitors
- Niche directories: 10-100 visitors per month, but often highly qualified
- General directories: Usually minimal direct traffic
User Acquisition
The magic happens when you combine SEO gains with direct referrals:
- Better rankings → More organic traffic
- Directory listings → Some direct signups
- Backlink authority → Faster ranking for content marketing
Time Investment: DIY vs Done-For-You
Here's the honest truth about time requirements:
DIY Submission Timeline
| Task | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Researching directories | 5-10 hours |
| Creating accounts | 10-15 hours |
| Writing descriptions | 5-8 hours |
| Uploading assets | 5-10 hours |
| Actual submissions | 20-30 hours |
| Follow-ups | 5-10 hours |
| Total | 50-80 hours |
That's 1-2 full work weeks. For most founders, that time is better spent on product development, sales, or customer support.
Why We Built VibeDirectories
I went through this process manually for my first startup. It was tedious, repetitive, and took forever.
That experience led me to build VibeDirectories. We maintain an up-to-date list of 100+ quality directories and handle all submissions manually. No automation that gets flagged. No shortcuts that backfire.
What you get:
- Manual submissions to 100+ directories
- Properly formatted descriptions for each platform
- Screenshot optimization
- Submission tracking spreadsheet
- Follow-up on pending submissions
What you save:
- 50-70 hours of tedious work
- Research time (we know which directories work)
- Learning curve for each platform
How to Maximize Directory Submission Results
Whether you DIY or use a service, these tips will improve your results:
1. Nail Your Value Proposition
Your one-liner matters. Most directories show just:
- Name
- Logo
- Short tagline
Make those count. Be specific about what you do and who it's for.
Weak: "The best productivity app" Strong: "Task management for remote engineering teams"
2. Prepare Multiple Description Lengths
Different directories need different lengths:
- Tweet-length: 140-280 characters
- Short: 50-100 words
- Medium: 100-200 words
- Long: 200-500 words
Write these once and adapt as needed.
3. Invest in Screenshots
Your screenshots are your storefront. Invest time in:
- Clean, high-resolution images
- Showing key features in action
- Consistent branding
- Mobile and desktop views
4. Time Your Submissions
Some directories feature new submissions. Submit during:
- Weekdays (more active curation)
- Not during major holidays
- Product Hunt: Consider the competitive landscape
5. Track Everything
Create a spreadsheet tracking:
- Directory name and URL
- Submission date
- Status (pending/approved/rejected)
- Link type (DoFollow/NoFollow)
- Notes
This helps with follow-ups and future reference.
The Hidden Benefit: Referral Loops
Here's something often overlooked: directories cite each other.
When you're listed on Product Hunt, other directories often scrape or manually add you. One high-quality listing can snowball into 5-10 additional listings.
This is why starting with Tier 1 directories matters – they seed your presence across the ecosystem.
Conclusion: Your Directory Submission Action Plan
Here's how I'd approach directory submissions for a new startup:
Week 1: Preparation
- Finalize your product name, tagline, and descriptions
- Create high-quality screenshots and logo variations
- Set up a tracking spreadsheet
Week 2-3: Tier 1 Submissions
- Submit to Product Hunt (time this strategically)
- Apply to BetaList, SaaSHub, and other top-tier directories
- Prepare materials for G2/Capterra if B2B
Week 4-6: Tier 2-3 Submissions
- Work through mid-tier directories
- Submit to niche-specific directories in your category
- Follow up on any pending Tier 1 submissions
Week 7-8: Tier 4 & Follow-ups
- Complete remaining worthwhile directories
- Re-submit to any that were rejected with improved materials
- Update your tracking spreadsheet
Or, skip weeks of work: Let us handle all 100+ submissions for you →
The directories aren't going anywhere. But your competitors might be submitting right now. The sooner you build your backlink foundation, the sooner you start compounding SEO gains.
Want the full list of directories we submit to? Check out our directory list →
