If you’re chasing higher Google rankings, you already know backlinks are gold. But not all backlinks are equal—and getting them is no longer as easy as it used to be. Article submission sites offer a free, scalable way to build backlinks—but only if you use the right platforms and approach it smartly.
In this post, you’ll find:
- A list of legit free article submission sites
- How to use them for SEO backlinks
- What to avoid so you don’t hurt your rankings
Let’s get right to it.
What Are Article Submission Sites?
Article submission sites are platforms that let you publish your content—blogs, how-tos, insights, guides—on their domain. In return, you often get to include a link (or more) back to your own website.
They help you:
- Build backlinks (especially dofollow if available)
- Reach new audiences
- Establish authority in your niche
And yes, many of them are 100% free to use.
How Backlinks from Article Submission Sites Help
When done right, backlinks from article submission platforms can boost:
- Your Domain Authority (DA)
- Search engine rankings for target pages
- Referral traffic from curious readers
But not every backlink helps. You want links from indexable, trusted, and relevant sources. Google is smart—low-quality links can hurt more than help.
What to Look for in a Good Submission Site
Here’s how to pick your platforms:
1. Domain Authority (DA)
DA is a score (0–100) that reflects how strong a website is. Higher DA = stronger backlink juice.
Aim for sites with DA 30+ for best results. But even DA 20+ is okay if the site is clean and niche-relevant.
2. Dofollow vs Nofollow
- Dofollow links pass SEO value. These are what you want.
- Nofollow links don’t pass SEO juice but still offer traffic and visibility.
Some sites allow dofollow in the author bio or body text. Others don’t. Either way, it’s worth checking.
3. Indexing Status
If Google doesn’t index the site, your link is invisible to search engines. Use this command to check:
makefileCopyEditsite:example.com
If nothing shows up, skip that site.
4. Spam Score
Check a site’s spam score using tools like Moz or Ahrefs. If it’s high (above 10%), think twice. You don’t want backlinks from shady neighborhoods.
Free Article Submission Sites That Still Work in 2025
Here’s a curated list of free article submission sites you can start using today. These are active, legit, and offer either direct backlinks or branding exposure.
1. Medium.com
- DA: 96
- Dofollow: In the article body (sometimes nofollowed based on behavior)
- Why Use: Massive reach, good for thought leadership
2. Vocal.media
- DA: 78
- Dofollow: Available after upgrade, but free version still offers visibility
- Why Use: Clean layout, easy to submit, good indexing
3. ArticleBiz.com
- DA: 54
- Dofollow: Yes
- Why Use: Manual review, strong editorial control, SEO-friendly
4. SooperArticles.com
- DA: 48
- Dofollow: Yes
- Why Use: Fast approval, niche categories, solid formatting tools
5. ArticleCube.com
- DA: 47
- Dofollow: Yes
- Why Use: Accepts a wide range of topics, active publishing
6. EzineArticles.com
- DA: 62
- Dofollow: In author bio
- Why Use: One of the originals—still gets indexed by Google
7. Tumblr.com
- DA: 95
- Dofollow: Yes
- Why Use: Flexible blogging platform with backlink capability
8. LinkedIn Articles
- DA: 98
- Dofollow: Nofollow, but strong visibility and personal branding
- Why Use: Great for B2B exposure, traffic potential
9. Sites.Google.com
- DA: 90+
- Dofollow: Yes
- Why Use: Build mini-sites with backlinks, indexed fast by Google
10. HubPages.com
- DA: 85
- Dofollow: In some cases
- Why Use: Community-based writing with long-tail traffic potential
How to Use These Sites for Effective Backlinking
Just dumping articles won’t help. You need a plan.
1. Choose Evergreen Topics
Write content that won’t expire in a month. “How to…” and “Top 10…” articles work well. The longer your article stays relevant, the longer your backlink works for you.
2. Write Unique Content
Don’t copy-paste from your blog. Rewrite or summarize. Make each version unique. Google penalizes duplicate content across domains.
3. Insert Natural Backlinks
Add 1–2 links max per article. Don’t force it. Anchor text should be relevant and natural.
4. Include a Strong Author Bio
Use the bio to reinforce your expertise and include a link to your site or portfolio.
Example Bio:
Alex Carter is a digital strategist helping startups grow through SEO and content marketing. Learn more at alexcarter.io.
5. Submit Consistently
One post won’t change much. Make it part of your monthly content strategy. Track which platforms bring results, and double down on them.
Red Flags: What to Avoid
❌ Auto-Approved Spam Sites
If the site looks like a dump for spun articles or is filled with pop-up ads and broken links, avoid it.
❌ Paywalls for Backlink Access
Some sites say they’re free but charge for dofollow links. Stick to truly free ones unless you know the ROI is worth it.
❌ Keyword Stuffing
Don’t try to game the system. Google can smell over-optimized anchor text from a mile away.
Bonus Tip: Track Your Backlinks
Use tools like:
- Google Search Console – See which backlinks are being indexed
- Ahrefs / Moz / Semrush – Monitor link health and domain authority
- Ubersuggest – A good free option to get started
This helps you identify which submission platforms actually contribute to your rankings—and which are just noise.
Final Thoughts
Free article submission sites can still be a powerful weapon in your SEO toolkit—as long as you use them smartly. Focus on relevance, write quality content, and choose platforms that still have authority and visibility in 2025.
To recap:
- Aim for sites with DA 30+ and low spam scores
- Submit original or repurposed content
- Use natural backlinks and clear bios
- Avoid shady platforms or backlink farms
You don’t need 100 backlinks. You need 10 good ones. Article submission, when used strategically, can help you build those for free.
