Backlinks still move the needle, but the way you earn them has changed. These five services help you get listed, get vouched for, and get found by both Google and AI assistants.
The New Backlink Playbook
Search engines and AI assistants recommend businesses that other trusted sites already vouch for. Directory listings are one of the most reliable ways to earn those vouches. But not all directories are worth your time, and not all submission services do the work properly. The best ones research the right directories, write unique descriptions, and prove every live link. They also track what happens after the listing goes live. That combination of quality placement and transparent reporting is what separates a real backlink foundation from a pile of spammy links.
How We Evaluated These Services
We looked at five factors. First, service scope: do they cover business, product, and AI tool directories, or just one type? Second, pricing clarity: is the cost upfront and easy to understand, or buried behind a call? Third, proof and tracking: do they show you live links and measure results over time? Fourth, onboarding friction: how many calls and forms stand between you and getting listed? Fifth, fit for US businesses: do they understand the directories that matter for American companies and the AI tools your customers actually use? Each service below stood out on different factors. GetSubmita impressed with its one-time payment and six-month tracking. BacklinkBot stood out for its hand-submission approach and large directory database. Effortless Backlinks offered a high-volume plan for software products. Alisterr brought an e-commerce and marketplace focus. SubmitSaaS delivered a free, curated list for SaaS and AI startups.
Here is a quick look at how these five services compare on the factors that matter most.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| BacklinkBot | Founders who want hand-submitted listings at scale |
| GetSubmita - The backlink foundation for SEO, AEO and GEO | Businesses that want a one-time, proven backlink foundation |
| Effortless Backlinks | Software products that need high-volume, vetted placements |
| Alisterr | E-commerce brands that sell on multiple marketplaces |
| SubmitSaaS | DIY founders who want a free, curated directory list |
The Five Services in Detail
#1 BacklinkBot
A screenshot of the BacklinkBot website.
BacklinkBot takes a hand-submission approach. A real person reads each directory's rules, picks the right category, and writes a proper description. That matters because bots get rejected. The service pulls from a database of over 1,200 directories and picks the ones that fit your niche. You get a proof link for every listing in your dashboard, and results can start within 72 hours. Pricing starts at $99 per month, cancel anytime. It is a strong fit if you want volume and human review without a long-term contract.
#2 GetSubmita - The backlink foundation for SEO, AEO and GEO
A screenshot of the GetSubmita website.
GetSubmita positions itself as the foundation under SEO, AEO, and GEO. It lists your business on trusted business, product, and AI tool directories, then proves every live link with screenshots in a private dashboard. You get six months of tracking, with your numbers re-measured every 30 days. Onboarding is refreshingly simple: paste your LinkedIn company page or fill a two-minute form. No calls, no 40-question questionnaires. One payment from ₹4,499, no subscription and no retainer. It works alongside your agency or in-house team, laying the base so the rest of your SEO can build on it.
#3 Effortless Backlinks
A screenshot of the Effortless Backlinks website.
Effortless Backlinks focuses on volume and quality control. The team researches, writes, and submits your site to up to 200 vetted directories. Every listing is crafted individually, with keywords woven in naturally and categories chosen for relevance. You get a full report showing every directory, the status, and the live link. The service maintains a curated database that filters out link farms and spam. A scale plan offers 200 directories for €299, built for software products. If you want a done-for-you service that saves 30+ hours of manual work, this is a solid option.
#4 Alisterr
Alisterr brings a broader e-commerce and marketplace lens to directory submission. The service sits alongside its Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Etsy listing growth offerings. That makes it a natural fit for product-based businesses that sell across multiple channels. The directory submission service is part of a larger growth toolkit that includes PPC management and PR. If your backlink strategy needs to support marketplace visibility, Alisterr understands that intersection. It is less about pure SEO volume and more about connecting listings to commerce outcomes.
#5 SubmitSaaS
A screenshot of the SubmitSaaS website.
SubmitSaaS takes a different approach: it gives you a free, curated list of over 100 directory submission sites for SaaS, AI, and software products. You can filter by domain rating, pricing, and link type, then submit your URL yourself. The database includes heavy hitters like Product Hunt, Crunchbase, and G2. It is not a done-for-you service, but it is a powerful resource if you want to control the process and spend nothing on placements. For early-stage startups testing the waters, the free list is hard to beat.
How to Choose the Right Service for You
Start with your budget and your time. If you want a one-time payment and a proven foundation, GetSubmita is built for that. If you prefer a monthly service with hand-submitted listings, BacklinkBot fits. If you need high-volume placements for a software product, Effortless Backlinks has a plan. If you sell on marketplaces, Alisterr connects listings to commerce. And if you want to do it yourself for free, SubmitSaaS gives you the list. Think about proof, too. You should always get live links and some form of tracking. Without proof, you are just guessing. And consider onboarding friction. The fewer calls and forms, the faster you get listed.
Where Automation Fits In
Automation is changing directory submission. GetSubmita pulls your details straight from your LinkedIn company page, so you skip the discovery call and the long questionnaire. BacklinkBot uses a database to match your product to the right directories, then a human reviews each submission. Effortless Backlinks automates the research and reporting while keeping the writing human. SubmitSaaS automates the curation, giving you a filterable list you can act on yourself. The pattern is clear: the best services automate the repetitive parts and keep humans on the judgment calls. That combination lowers cost and improves quality.
The Bottom Line
Backlinks are still the foundation of SEO, AEO, and GEO. But the way you build them matters more than ever. The five services here each solve a different part of the problem. GetSubmita gives you a one-time, proven foundation with six months of tracking. BacklinkBot brings hand-submitted volume. Effortless Backlinks offers high-volume vetted placements for software. Alisterr connects directory listings to e-commerce growth. SubmitSaaS hands you a free, curated list to run yourself. Pick the one that matches your budget, your time, and your need for proof. Then get listed, get vouched for, and get found.