Looking for a smart way to build your organization’s online presence? Backlink directory sites can be a good place to start. They’re usually easy to access, often free or low-cost, and can help more people find your business.
The key to this SEO strategy is to focus on directories that are credible and actually relevant to your business. Some directories can support your visibility, local search presence, and referral traffic. Others are outdated, irrelevant, filled with spam, or unlikely to send a single real visitor your way.
So, rather than treating this as a checklist you need to finish in one afternoon, use this as a guide. We’ll help you find the best directories for backlinks and that they make sense for your business.
First, What’s a Backlink?
Before we jump in, let’s agree on the definition of a backlink… A backlink is a link from another website to yours.
For example, if a Canadian business directory creates a profile for your company and includes a link to your website, you’ve gained a new backlink from that directory.
Search engines can use backlinks as one of many signals when deciding whether a website appears credible and relevant. However, the quality of the link matters much more than the size of your backlink
What's a Backlink Directory?
A backlink directory is a website that organizes and publishes listings for businesses, professionals, or organizations. A typical listing might include:
- Your business name
- Your website
- Your address or service area
- Your phone number
- Your hours
- A description of your services
- Photos
- Customer reviews
- Social media links
Some of the best backlink directories focus on a particular city, province, or industry. Others include businesses from across Canada or around the world.
These listings are also sometimes called business citations.
A citation is simply an online mention of your organization’s business information. It commonly includes your name, address, and phone number, often shortened in the SEO world to NAP.
Do Directory Backlinks Still Help SEO?
They can, but probably not in the way many older SEO articles suggest. A directory listing may help your business:
- Appear in more local and industry searches
- Give search engines consistent information about your company
- Earn customer reviews
- Send referral traffic to your website
- Build trust with people researching your business
- Strengthen your overall online presence
That doesn’t mean every directory link will directly improve your rankings.
Some directory links use a nofollow attribute. This is a small piece of code that tells search engines not to treat the link like a traditional endorsement.
A nofollow link isn’t useless; it can still bring people to your website and help them confirm that your business is legitimate.
The better question isn’t , “Is this backlink dofollow?”
It’s “Will this listing help the right people find, understand, or trust our business?”
One important thing to remember is that it won’t magically improve your rankings. While many older articles promote huge backlink lists, they don’t explain whether those websites are still active or trustworthy.
That can lead businesses to spend hours creating profiles that nobody sees.
A better approach is to choose directories that make sense for your location, industry, audience, and services.
Backlinks are only one part of search visibility. Explore Cheeky Monkey Media’s digital marketing services to see how content, website improvements, and search strategy can work together.
Start With These Essential Business Listings
Before creating profiles on smaller backlink directory websites, make sure your business information is accurate on the major platforms.
1. Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile helps you manage how your organization appears across Google Search and Google Maps.
Depending on your business type, your profile may include your:
- Website
- Phone number
- Address or service area
- Hours
- Services
- Photos
- Updates
- Customer reviews
For local businesses, this should normally be one of the first listings you claim and complete.
2. Bing Places for Business
Many businesses forget about Bing, but it’s a great addition for backlinks. Bing Places lets businesses manage how their information appears across Bing’s search and mapping tools.
You may be able to add your business category, description, website, contact information, hours, photos, and services.
3. Apple Business
Apple Business (previously Apple Business Connect) helps organizations manage how they appear across Apple services, including Apple Maps.
This is easy to overlook, but it matters since many customers use iPhones, Apple Maps, Siri, and other Apple tools.
4. Facebook
Yes, we’re counting some of the popular social platforms as great backlinking sites. A complete Facebook Page gives your business another recognizable profile. Your profile can have your website, business details, services, updates, and customer interactions.
It may not be your strongest traditional backlink, but it can still help people verify your company and learn more about it.
5. LinkedIn
A LinkedIn company page can include your website, industry, organization size, location, description, job openings, and company updates.
For B2B businesses, consultants, agencies, professional service providers, and organizations recruiting employees, this can be far more relevant than many generic business directories.
6. Yelp Canada
Yelp allows customers to find businesses, browse photos, compare services, and read reviews. Whether or not it’s useful for you depends on the industry and location. But, an accurate listing can still support visibility and reputation management.
7. Yellow Pages Canada
Yellow Pages Canada organizes businesses by category and location. Basic listings may include your contact details, services, website, and hours. Some enhanced features may require payment.
8. Canada411
Canada411 publishes contact and business information for organizations across Canada.
Before doing extra work, search for your business first. You may already have a profile. You just need to claim, correct, or update it.
9. 411.ca
411.ca includes Canadian business listings organized by service and location. Profiles may feature contact information, descriptions, website links, and reviews.
10. Canpages
Canpages helps users search for Canadian businesses by category and location. A complete profile can give potential customers another way to confirm your services and visit your website.
11. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
A BBB profile can help potential customers feel more confident about working with your business. This is especially true when trust plays a big role in the decision-making process.
Your profile may include your rating, business information, complaint history, and accreditation status.
BBB accreditation is paid, so it’s not technically a free directory feature. However, even non-accredited businesses may already have a public profile worth reviewing and keeping accurate.
12. Trust Pilot
Trustpilot gives customers a public place to share their experiences with your business. These reviews often appear when someone searches for your brand.
It can be particularly useful for e-commerce, software, and service businesses. The backlink itself may not pass traditional SEO authority, but the reviews and added visibility can still support trust and conversions.
13. Clutch
Clutch is one of the more valuable directory and review platforms for B2B service businesses. You can edit your profile to include detailed service information, project examples, pricing, and industry experience.
Unlike other directories, where almost anyone can create a basic listing in minutes, Clutch focuses on detailed profiles. It also uses verified feedback. That extra effort is what makes a strong Clutch profile more credible to potential clients.
14. G2
G2 is a major software review and comparison platform. If your organization offers a SaaS product, app, or digital tool, a complete G2 profile can help you. It’ll let you show up when potential customers research software options and compare competing products.
15. Foursquare
Foursquare is more than a directory people browse directly. Its location information may also be used by other apps and digital platforms.
Keeping your Foursquare listing accurate can help ensure your business information and location details stay consistent across a wider network. This is especially useful for restaurants, retail businesses, hospitality companies.
More Free Directories for Backlinks to Explore
Once you’ve taken care of the essential platforms, you can start looking beyond the usual names.
The list of backlinks in this next section may not be as widely known. They can still strengthen your link building strategy by helping you reach more specific audiences and boosting your online presence. It’ll also help you build a more diverse backlink profile.
16. Hotfrog
Hotfrog offers business listings across several countries, including Canada. Profiles may include your services, contact information, website, location, and a description of what your company does.
It may be useful if your business wants to strengthen your overall citation profile. But you need to make sure the listing is complete, accurate, and relevant to the market you serve.
17. Manta
Manta focuses on small business profiles and company information. Listings may include your website, services, contact details, location, and business category.
18. Alignable
Alignable combines a business listing with networking, recommendations, and referral opportunities.
The backlink is only one part of its potential value. Small-business owners use the platform to connect, ask questions, recommend one another, and find local service providers.
It may be especially useful for consultants, agencies, trades, and other businesses that rely on professional relationships and word-of-mouth referrals.
19. Crunchbase
We usually hear about Crunchbase when people are researching startups, technology companies, founders, funding, and acquisitions. It’s not the right fit for every local business, but it can be valuable for startups and technology-focused companies.
20. Whitepages
Whitepages is primarily known for contact information rather than detailed business discovery. Its value lies more in keeping your core business details accurate than in attracting large amounts of traffic.
21. N49
N49 is a Canadian business directory and review platform that helps users find local companies by category and location. Business profiles can include contact details, descriptions, reviews, photos, and other information customers may use when comparing local providers.
22. Local Profile Canada
Local Profile Canada is a large Canadian business directory featuring companies across a wide range of industries. Users can search by business name, service, category, and location. This makes it relevant to both consumer-facing companies and B2B organizations.
23. CanadaOne
CanadaOne keeps a searchable Canadian business directory that lets users browse companies by keyword and province. Businesses can also access options to add or manage a company listing.
24. Local.ca
Local.ca has historically focused on helping people find Canadian businesses by location and service category. A listing may provide another place to publish your company’s contact information, services, location, and website.
However, directory activity and submission options can change over time. Before including Local.ca in your backlink strategy, confirm that the site is active and that it’s accepting or updating business listings.
25. Agency Loft
Agency Loft is a directory designed to help businesses find marketing, web design, creative, digital, and social media agencies. Agency profiles can include services, portfolio examples, past clients, location details, and options for potential customers to get in touch directly.
Industry-Specific Directories
26. TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is one of the most recognizable review and discovery platforms for travel-related businesses. It helps travellers find and compare accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and other experiences based on location, photos, business information, and customer reviews.
27. HomeStars
HomeStars helps Canadian homeowners find and review contractors and home service professionals. Business profiles may include services, project details, photos, contact information, customer reviews, and the areas a company serves.
28. Houzz
Houzz combines a professional directory with visual portfolios, project inspiration, reviews, and home renovation resources.
Professionals can use their profiles to showcase completed work, explain their services, and help prospective clients understand their style and experience. Houzz may be especially valuable for visually driven services where photos can do much of the selling.
29. Professional Association Directories
Many Canadian professional associations publish searchable directories of members, firms, or licensed practitioners.
These listings are often more relevant than broad, free backlink directories because they connect your business with a recognized profession or industry.
Examples include:
- The Ontario Association of Architects
- Architectural Institute of British Columbia
- The Ottawa Construction Association
- Law Society of British Columbia
30. Chamber of Commerce Directories
Many local chambers of commerce and boards of trade include their members in an online business directory.
These listings can help people find businesses within a specific community while also supporting networking, referrals, events, advocacy, and local partnerships.
Examples include:
- The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
- Calgary Chamber of Commerce
- Ottawa Board of Trade
- Halifax Chamber of Commerce
- Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
31. Tourism Association Directories
Canadian tourism businesses can look beyond general directories and explore the organizations that promote their specific destination, region, or type of experience.
Examples include:
- The Tourism Industry Association of Canada
- Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Destination Toronto
- Tourism Kelowna
32. Municipal Business Directories
Some cities, towns, counties, and regional economic development organizations maintain directories of businesses operating in their area.
Only submit your business when it genuinely meets the location requirements.
Examples include:
- London Economic Development Corporation
- Barrie Business Directory
- Oshawa Business Directory
- Canada Business Directory
- Montreal Business Directory
- Vancouver Business Directory
- Winnipeg Business Directory
- Coquitlam Business Directory
33. Nonprofit and Community Directories
Nonprofits may find more relevant online visibility through sector-specific platforms and local service directories than through general business listing sites.
Examples include:
- CharityVillage
- 211 Canada
- VolunteerConnector
34. Restaurant and Reservation Platforms
Restaurants should focus on platforms that help customers do something useful, such as view the menu, check availability, book a table, order food, find directions, or read recent reviews.
Examples include:
- OpenTable
- Resy
- DoorDash
- Uber Eats
- Skip
35. Supplier and Partner Directories
Supplier and partner directories list businesses that have a real relationship with a larger company, platform, manufacturer, or professional network.
These directories can be valuable because their listings are usually based on actual experience, certification, product knowledge, or partner status.
Additional Backlink Sites to Review
The websites below often appear on free backlink and link-building lists, but directories can change quickly. A site that accepts free submissions today may introduce fees, stop accepting listings, or disappear altogether.
That does not mean you should ignore this list. Just think of it as a starting point for your own research.
Before creating a profile, make sure the directory is still active, accepts Canadian businesses, and provides a useful listing.
- eLocal
- CitySearch
- Local.com
- Superpages
- Yellowbook
- DexKnows
- MerchantCircle
- ShowMeLocal
- Tupalo
- LocalStack
- MyLocally
- LocalPages
- CitySquares
- Groupon
- Store Board
- Insider Pages
- Restaurantica
- SmarterTravel
- FindUsLocal
- 2FindLocal
- GoLocal247
- ChamberofCommerce.com
- MapQuest business listings
- Nextdoor
- AboutUs
- BizPages
- EnrollBusiness
- Fyple
- Lacartes
- Yalwa
- Opendi
- A-Z Business Finder
- Marketing Internet Directory
- Pitch
- SaaS Page
- Stork
- AlternativeTo
- IndieTools
- StartupRanked
- TinyStartups
- Startup Lister
- PeerList
- Huzzler
- Digital Agency Network
- EZWeb Directory
- LandBook
- TheSaaSDirectory
- Quality Internet Directory
- The Startup Project
- wp.gallery
- Site-Plus
- WebsURL
How to Choose the Best Backlink Directories
When people search for the best directories for backlinks, they’re often hoping for one universal list.
Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
The best directory for a contractor may be useless for a university. A tourism directory may be great for a hotel but irrelevant to a software company.
Use these questions to decide whether a listing deserves your time:
- Is the website still active? If the website is full of broken pages and has not been updated in years, it may not be worth the effort.
- Does it feature legitimate businesses? Browse a few categories.
- Is it relevant to your organization? Focus on directory websites connected to your industry, location, audience, or services.
- Do its pages appear in the search results? Search for a few business profiles from the directory. If none of its pages appear in Google, it may have limited value.
- Could it send real visitors? A directory can still be useful even when its links are nofollow.
- Is the free listing really free? Some websites promote themselves as free business listing sites, but charge for the features you actually want.
- Can your team keep it updated? Every new listing becomes another place where your information could eventually become outdated.
Focus on Better Backlinks, Not Just More Backlinks
You don’t need to add your organization to every directory on this list.
Start with the major platforms your audience already uses. Then look for relevant Canadian, local, professional, industry, partner, and review directories.
Complete each profile properly, keep your information accurate, and track what sends traffic or leads. Stop spending time on listings that don’t provide value.
A smaller group of trusted, relevant backlinks will usually do more for your organization than a huge collection of forgotten profiles.
Need Help Strengthening Your Online Presence?
Backlinks are only one piece of a much larger digital puzzle.
Your website, content, SEO, user experience, campaigns, and ongoing maintenance all affect whether people can find your organization. And whether they take the next step once they do.
Cheeky Monkey Media brings web development, website support and maintenance, and digital marketing together so your online presence is connected.
Connect with our team to tell us what you’re trying to improve. We’ll help you figure out what’s getting in the way, what deserves attention first, and what a practical next step could look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I create backlinks for free?
You can create backlinks for free through reputable business directories, social media profiles, professional associations, partner websites, review platforms, and local business listings.
Start with platforms that your customers actually use rather than submitting your website to every free directory you find.
What's the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks?
When researching directories for backlinks, you will often see the terms dofollow backlinks and nofollow backlinks.
A dofollow link is a regular link that search engines may use when assessing the relationship between two websites.
A nofollow link contains a small piece of code telling search engines not to treat the link like a traditional endorsement.
This is why people often search for a dofollow backlinks list or directories that promise dofollow links. But as we mentioned, a nofollow link isn’t automatically worthless.
Instead of focusing only on whether a link is dofollow, ask a more useful question: Could this listing help the right people find or trust our organization?
Are free Canadian business directories safe?
Many are legitimate, but not all of them are useful.
Before posting your information, check whether the site is active, secure, relevant, and used by real businesses.
How many backlink directories should I use?
There’s no ideal number. Our recommendation is to start with the most credible and relevant platforms. Ten complete, well-maintained profiles are often more useful than 100 low-quality listings.
Is this a complete backlinks website list?
No list can guarantee that every directory will remain active, free, or valuable.
Directories change frequently, so treat this article as a starting point and verify each website before submitting your information.