Free backlink submission sites in Pakistan

What Are Backlinks and Why They Matter

A backlink is a hyperlink from another website that points to your site. Search engines treat backlinks like votes of confidence. When authoritative, relevant sites link to you, your domain authority (DA), domain rating (DR), and overall organic visibility can improve. In Pakistan’s competitive niches—like ecommerce, real estate, SaaS, and services—backlinks remain one of the strongest off-page SEO signals.

• Dofollow vs Nofollow: Dofollow links can pass PageRank (“link juice”). Nofollow links usually don’t pass PageRank but still add trust, referral traffic, and brand signals.
• Topical relevance: Links from sites contextually related to your niche or location (Pakistan, city-level) are stronger.
• E‑E‑A‑T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness improve when you earn links from credible sources and maintain consistent brand citations.

Are Free Backlink Submissions Still Effective?

Yes—when done strategically. Free submissions like business directories, profile links, web 2.0 pages, local citations, and media profiles help diversify your link profile and improve local relevance. They’re best used to build a strong foundation. For competitive keywords, combine them with higher-authority links from digital PR, resource pages, partnerships, and content-led outreach.

Pakistan-Specific SEO Considerations

• Local signals: Listings with Pakistani addresses (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Multan, Quetta) and a +92 phone number strengthen local relevance.
• .pk domains: Links and citations from .pk domains can reinforce geo-relevance.
• Language: English works widely; consider Urdu descriptions on Pakistan-facing platforms if available.
• NAP consistency: Use the same Name, Address, Phone (and URL) across all listings to prevent citation conflicts.
• Vertical associations: For IT/tech, listings on Pakistani industry bodies (e.g., PSEB, P@SHA) can be powerful if you’re eligible; note that such memberships may not be free.

Types of Free Backlink Submission Sites

• Local business directories: Country- or city-specific directories that provide citations and website fields.
• Classifieds: Post offers with your site link (usually nofollow but good for reach and brand).
• City guides and local portals: Place listings (restaurants, services), often with maps and reviews.
• Web 2.0/blog platforms: Publish supporting content, case studies, and link to your site naturally.
• Social and professional profiles: Company pages and profiles with homepage URLs.
• Q&A and communities: Helpful, non-spam answers referencing your resources.
• Media sharing sites: Videos, images, and documents embedding contextual links.
• Press release portals: Free PR syndication for noteworthy updates.
• B2B marketplaces and review platforms: Company profiles for exporters, IT services, and agencies.

Curated List: Free Backlink Submission Sites in Pakistan

The following platforms are relevant to Pakistan-based businesses. Policies and link attributes may change, so always review submission guidelines and avoid over-optimization.

Pakistan-Focused Business Directories and Local Portals

• BusinessList.pk — Pakistan business directory with categories and city pages. Good for NAP citation and a homepage link.
• Lookup.pk — Local directory where businesses can create detailed profiles with contact info and website URL.
• Yalwa Pakistan — Country portal of the Yalwa directory; add your business by city and niche.
• Paktive — City-based places and business listings (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and beyond). Ensure accurate category and website.
• PakBiz — B2B and business directory in Pakistan; suitable for exporters, manufacturers, suppliers. Free/basic profiles available.
• CityBook.pk — Pakistan city directory for services, restaurants, and local businesses; supports website links and media.
• iGlobal Pakistan — Regional version of iGlobal; create a local business listing with your site URL.
• OLX Pakistan — Classifieds site; include your website in appropriate listings and profile (links are typically nofollow but good for exposure).
• Locanto Pakistan — Popular classifieds portal with categories across cities; add a link in ad description and profile.
• Foursquare Places — Global local listing platform; supports Pak addresses and websites, helpful for maps/ecosystem data.

Pakistan-Adjacent or Membership-Based (Check Eligibility)

These may require membership or verification; not always free. If you qualify, the backlink and trust signals are strong:

• Local Chambers of Commerce (e.g., Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad) — Member directories often list your website.
• Industry Associations (e.g., PSEB, P@SHA for IT/tech) — Member/company directories can include authoritative links.

Global Free Submission Sites That Work for Pakistan

These platforms allow Pakistani businesses to create profiles, publish content, or share media. Even if links are nofollow, they contribute to branded SERPs, discovery, and a natural link graph.

Core Local/Citation Platforms

• Google Business Profile — Essential for local intent. Use a Pakistan address and verify. Add services, posts, and your website URL.
• Bing Places — Citation and map presence across Microsoft’s ecosystem.
• Apple Business Connect — Power your Apple Maps listing and include your website.
• HERE Places (via partners) — Contributes to navigation ecosystems; add accurate NAP and URL.
• OpenStreetMap — Add your place with a website; useful for map data and discovery.

Web 2.0 and Publishing

• WordPress.com — Create a supporting blog for case studies and FAQs with contextual internal and external links.
• Google Sites — Simple branded microsite or resource hub pointing to your main domain.
• Medium — Publish thought leadership; include canonical tags if repurposing content.
• Blogger — Lightweight supporting blog for niche pages.
• Tumblr — Short-form posts and media with attribution links.
• GitHub Pages — For tech brands: host a documentation or showcase site with proper linking.

Social and Professional Profiles

• Facebook Page — Add your website and CTA button.
• LinkedIn Company Page — Homepage link, services, and updates for B2B visibility.
• X (Twitter) — Profile URL, branded posts, and pinned tweets linking to key pages.
• Instagram — Bio link; use Link-in-bio tools for multiple destinations.
• YouTube — Channel about section and video descriptions can include links.
• Pinterest — Profile link; pin images from your site for referral traffic.
• About.me — Personal or brand profile with homepage link.

Q&A and Community Platforms

• Quora — Answer Pakistan-specific and niche questions. Link sparingly to relevant resources.
• Reddit — Engage in niche subreddits (e.g., r/PakistanStartups). Follow rules; avoid self-promo spam.
• PakWheels Forums — Pakistan’s auto community; profiles and helpful participation can build brand recognition (be non-promotional).
• Defence.pk Forum — Large Pak forum; only share links when genuinely relevant and allowed.

Media and Document Sharing

• SlideShare — Upload decks, proposals, and case studies with contextual links.
• Issuu — Brochures/magazines that reference your site.
• Scribd — Whitepapers and PDFs (links may be nofollow but good for discovery).
• Flickr — Image uploads with source links.
• Imgur — Image posts; include descriptive titles and URLs where appropriate.
• Dailymotion — Video descriptions with links.

Press Release Distribution (Free Tiers)

• PRLog — Free PR submission; craft genuinely newsworthy updates.
• OpenPR — Free press release distribution with moderation.
• IssueWire — Limited free plan; consider for product launches or milestones.

B2B Marketplaces and Review/Listing Platforms

• TradeKey — Global B2B marketplace founded in Pakistan; company profiles include links.
• Alibaba — Supplier profiles can reference your site (rules vary).
• Clutch — For agencies/IT services; free profile with website field, reviews boost trust.
• GoodFirms — IT and service providers; profile and portfolio links.
• DesignRush — Creative/marketing agencies; company listing and link.
• Crunchbase — Startup/company profile with homepage link; strengthens brand knowledge graph.
• Wellfound (AngelList) — Startup profiles with links; helpful for tech/startup credibility.
• Trustpilot — Company profile with site link; supports review SEO and brand trust.

How to Submit: Step-by-Step + Optimization Checklist

Before You Start

• Decide your canonical website URL format (https, www vs non-www) and stick to it across all submissions.
• Prepare NAP data (Name, Address, Phone), business hours, logo in 512×512, and 3–6 images.
• Write 2–3 business descriptions (50, 150, 300 words) using natural, branded language and primary keywords.
• Create or use a brand email (e.g., hello@yourdomain.pk) for verification and account recovery.

Submission Steps

1. Register an account on the chosen directory/portal using your brand email.
2. Fill out complete profile details (categories, services, NAP, social links) and add your website URL.
3. Upload logo and images; add a short description and a longer, keyword-rich but natural description.
4. Verify the listing via email/SMS/phone as required.
5. Request indexation by linking to the new listing from your social profiles or submit the URL in Search Console’s URL Inspection (if you control a site that links to it).

Optimization Checklist

• Consistency: Exact NAP match across all platforms.
• Anchor text: Use brand and naked URLs for safety; avoid over-optimized anchors (e.g., “best web design company in Lahore”) repeatedly.
• Categories: Choose the most specific relevant category; add secondary categories if available.
• UTM tags: For trackable referral traffic, add UTM parameters to links on platforms you control (not all directories allow this).
• Update cadence: Refresh listings quarterly with new photos, offers, and posts.

Tracking, Indexing, and Measuring Results

• Indexation: Use the site: operator on Google (e.g., site:businesslist.pk Your Brand) to confirm indexing. Share new listings on social to encourage crawling.
• Analytics: In Google Analytics, monitor Acquisition > Referrals for traffic from directories and media sites.
• Search Console: Track brand impressions/clicks and check for newly discovered links in the Links report.
• Link tools: Use Ahrefs, Majestic, or Moz to monitor DR/DA trends, new referring domains, and anchor text distribution.
• Local visibility: For GBP, monitor calls, direction requests, and queries. Respond to reviews to boost engagement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Quantity over quality: Avoid mass-submitting to low-quality/spammy “link farms.” Focus on reputable platforms.
• Inconsistent NAP: Small formatting differences cause citation confusion. Standardize address formatting.
• Over-optimized anchors: Use branded/natural anchors; keep exact-match anchors rare.
• Duplicate content: Don’t copy-paste the same 300-word description everywhere. Slightly vary your copy.
• Ignoring moderation rules: Communities and forums ban gratuitous promotional links. Provide value first.
• Neglecting updates: Outdated hours, phone numbers, or URLs hurt trust and conversions.

FAQs

1) Are these free backlink submission sites safe for Pakistani SEO?

Yes, when used thoughtfully. The list focuses on legitimate directories, platforms, and communities. Always follow each site’s rules and avoid spammy tactics.

2) Do these links pass PageRank?

Many directory and social links are nofollow. That’s fine—nofollow links diversify your link profile and add brand signals. Combine them with editorial dofollow links via partnerships, PR, and content outreach for best results.

3) How many submissions should I do?

Prioritize quality over volume. Start with 20–40 high-quality listings, then expand steadily (5–10/month). Keep a spreadsheet to track status, credentials, and indexation.

4) Will .pk backlinks help more for local rankings?

Links from .pk domains and Pakistan-relevant pages can strengthen geo-relevance. However, authority and topical relevance also matter, even from non-.pk sites.

5) What if a platform requires paid upgrades?

Stick to free tiers unless the paid plan offers clear value (visibility, traffic, reviews). Your foundational strategy can be 100% free.