Backlinks for Startups: How to Build SEO Authority

SEO is one of the most sustainable growth channels for startups, but it's hard to rank without backlinks. This guide breaks down what backlinks are, why they matter, and the most practical ways to earn them, even if you're just getting started.

Why Backlinks Matter for Startups

Backlinks are links from other websites that point to yours. Google treats them as votes of confidence. The more quality sites linking to you, the more Google trusts your content. For startups, this matters because:

  • New domains start with zero authority. Without backlinks, even great content won't rank because Google doesn't trust brand-new domains yet.
  • Organic traffic compounds over time. Unlike paid ads that stop the moment you stop paying, SEO traffic grows month-over-month as your authority builds.
  • Backlinks drive referral traffic too. People actually click links on other sites. A listing on a popular directory or a mention in a blog post brings direct visitors.

Dofollow vs. Nofollow: What's the Difference?

Not all backlinks are created equal. The key distinction is between dofollow and nofollow links.

Dofollow Links

These are the gold standard. Dofollow links pass "link juice". They tell Google to count this link as an endorsement of your site. They directly help your SEO rankings. Most natural links on the web are dofollow by default.

Nofollow Links

Nofollow links include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells Google not to pass authority. Social media links, many blog comments, and some directories use nofollow. They still drive referral traffic but don't directly boost your SEO.

Why This Matters

When building backlinks, prioritize sources that offer dofollow links. Many startup directories and launch platforms use nofollow, which limits their SEO value. Look for platforms that explicitly offer dofollow backlinks. They're much more valuable for building domain authority.

Types of Backlinks for Startups

1. Directory Listings

Product directories and launch platforms are the easiest backlinks to get. Submit your product to platforms like TinyLaunchpad, SaaSHub, AlternativeTo, G2, and niche directories for your category. Some offer dofollow links, others nofollow, but all provide referral traffic and brand visibility. LaunchDirectories.com lists 100+ launch platforms and directories, a great starting point for finding places to submit.

2. Guest Posts

Writing articles for other blogs in your niche is one of the most effective ways to earn quality backlinks. Find blogs that accept guest contributions, pitch a topic that's relevant to their audience, and include a natural link back to your site. Focus on providing genuine value, not just writing a glorified ad.

3. Launch Platform Backlinks

When you launch on platforms like TinyLaunchpad, your product page links back to your site. TinyLaunchpad offers dofollow backlinks for winners and premium listings, which directly boosts your SEO. Check our pricing page for details on our SEO Growth tier.

4. HARO and Journalist Outreach

Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and similar services connect journalists with expert sources. When you're quoted as an expert, you typically get a backlink from a high-authority news site. These links are extremely valuable but require consistent effort. You need to respond to queries regularly to land mentions.

5. Resource Page Links

Many websites maintain "best tools" or "resources" pages. If your product fits a category, reach out to these site owners and ask to be included. A well-crafted email explaining why your tool would be valuable to their readers can go a long way.

6. Content-Driven Backlinks

Create content that others naturally want to link to: original research, data studies, comprehensive guides, or free tools. This is the most sustainable backlink strategy because the links come to you, but it requires significant upfront investment in content creation.

7. Broken Link Building

Find broken links on relevant websites (tools like Ahrefs or Check My Links can help), create content that matches what the broken link used to point to, and reach out to the site owner offering your page as a replacement. It's a win-win: they fix a broken link, you get a backlink.

A Practical Backlink Strategy for New Startups

You don't need to do everything at once. Here's a phased approach that works well for new startups:

Month 1: Foundation

  • Submit to 10-15 startup directories (see our list of Product Hunt alternatives for ideas)
  • Launch on TinyLaunchpad to get a dofollow backlink
  • Set up your Google Business profile and social media profiles
  • Create your first blog post (a "how-to" guide related to your product)

Month 2-3: Content and Outreach

  • Write 2-3 guest posts for relevant blogs
  • Sign up for HARO and respond to 3-5 queries per week
  • Create a comprehensive guide or resource that others would link to
  • Reach out to 5-10 resource pages in your niche

Month 4+: Scale What Works

  • Double down on the strategies that produced results
  • Start doing broken link building
  • Create data-driven or original research content
  • Build relationships with bloggers and journalists for ongoing mentions

What to Avoid

Not all backlink strategies are created equal. Some can actually hurt your SEO:

  • Buying backlinks: Google actively penalizes paid link schemes. It's not worth the risk.
  • Low-quality directories: Spammy directories with thousands of listings and no editorial standards can hurt more than help.
  • Comment spam: Dropping links in blog comments and forums is a waste of time and can damage your reputation.
  • Private Blog Networks (PBNs): Networks of fake sites built solely for link building. Google is very good at detecting these, and the penalty is severe.
  • Exact-match anchor text abuse: Using your target keyword as anchor text in every backlink looks unnatural. Mix it up with branded, generic, and natural anchor text.

How TinyLaunchpad Helps Your SEO

TinyLaunchpad is one of the few launch platforms that provides genuine SEO value to listed products:

  • Dofollow backlinks: Winners and premium listings receive dofollow backlinks that directly boost your domain authority.
  • Dedicated product page: Your product gets its own page on TinyLaunchpad that Google indexes, creating another entry point for search traffic.
  • Weekly visibility: The weekly launch format means your product stays visible longer, increasing the chance of other sites discovering and linking to you.
  • Winner badges: These add social proof to your site, which indirectly helps SEO by increasing click-through rates from search results.

Related Guides

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