Let us start with a basic truth. If you want your website to grow on Google, you need backlinks.
When a website links to you, it tells Google, “Hey, this page is worth checking out.” And when more good websites link to you, your own website looks more valuable.
But not all backlinks are the same.
Some are amazing. They help you rank faster. Others can actually hurt your site.
So, how do you know which backlinks websites you can trust?
That is what this blog is all about.
We are going to talk about the most trusted sites to get backlinks from. We will also share tips, tools, and strategies to find the right ones and avoid the bad ones.
Let us begin.
What Makes a Website Trustworthy for Backlinks
Before we jump into the list, let us first understand what makes a site “good” for backlinks.
Here are some points to keep in mind:
- Real traffic: The site gets actual visitors.
- Updated content: The blog or site is active.
- Relevant topics: The niche is close to your own.
- No spammy ads or popups: Clean and simple websites are usually better.
- Not part of a link farm: The site should not exist just to sell backlinks.
If a site checks these boxes, it is usually a good one.
Top Backlinks Websites You Can Trust
Now let us go over some websites and platforms where you can get safe and helpful backlinks.
These are not just popular—they are trusted by Google and respected across many industries.
1. Medium.com
- Anyone can publish content
- High domain strength
- Great for thought leadership articles
You can create a post on Medium and add a backlink to your site. Make sure the post is useful and not just written for links.
2. LinkedIn.com
- Professional network
- Allows articles and links
- Trusted by search engines
Write helpful articles or posts, and include links to your website. These links do not always pass full SEO value, but they build authority and trust.
3. Crunchbase.com
- Used by businesses and startups
- Trusted business profile links
- Great for SaaS and tech websites
Create a profile and add your website URL. It is a clean backlink from a respected business directory.
4. GitHub.com (for tech sites)
- Perfect for developer tools, SaaS, open-source work
- Can host files, docs, and backlinks
- Strong trust from Google
If you are in tech, create repositories and mention your website in the description or readme.
5. Quora.com
- Q&A platform
- You can answer questions and link to your blog or site
- Adds topical relevance and referral traffic
Write helpful answers. Do not spam. Link only when it makes sense.
6. Reddit.com (with caution)
- Massive traffic
- Trusted by search engines
- Only link where it adds real value
Some subreddits allow links. But Reddit hates spam. Be honest and add value first. Then share your link.
7. Google Sites
- You can create a free site
- Add content and link back to your main site
- Useful for brand building
It is not a powerful backlink alone, but it helps build a presence on a Google-owned property.
8. WordPress.com
- Free blogging platform
- Create a blog and add links to your main site
- Useful for niche content
Make sure the blog has helpful content, not just links.
9. Business directories (Only top ones)
Trusted examples:
- Clutch.co
- G2.com
- Capterra.com (for SaaS)
- Trustpilot.com
These sites are respected and show your brand to potential buyers too.
10. HARO (Help a Reporter Out)
- Free service for getting featured in media
- Journalists ask questions, you answer
- If accepted, you get a backlink
These backlinks come from news sites. They are hard to get, but worth it.
How to Find More Trusted Backlink Websites
Apart from the ones above, there are many more trusted websites out there. But how do you find them?
Here are some methods:
1. Check Competitors
- Use tools like Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, or Semrush
- Enter your competitor’s website
- See who links to them
- Filter for trusted sites
If a good site links to them, it might link to you too.
2. Use Guest Posting
Find blogs in your industry. Ask if you can write a helpful post for them. In that post, include a link to your website.
Make sure:
- The site has real readers
- Your article is original
- You do not force the link
3. Look for Resource Pages
Some sites have “Resources” or “Tools We Recommend” pages. These are perfect for backlinks.
Search on Google like this:
- site:.edu your niche + resources
- your keyword + useful links
Then reach out and ask to be included if you are a good fit.
4. Use Broken Link Building
Find pages with dead links. Offer your link as a replacement.
Steps:
- Use tools like Check My Links (Chrome extension)
- Find pages with broken links
- Contact the site owner
- Suggest your page as a fix
This method works great because you are helping, not begging.
What to Avoid: Bad Backlink Sites
Now let us talk about the risky side.
Not all backlinks are good.
Some sites will harm your rankings. Stay away from:
- Private Blog Networks (PBNs): These are fake blog networks built just for links.
- Spammy directories: Avoid low-quality sites that list hundreds of random links.
- Sites with lots of ads and popups
- Sites not related to your niche
- Websites offering “100 backlinks for 10 dollars”
If a link looks too easy or too cheap, it is probably bad.
Signs of a Safe and Strong Backlink Site
Let us sum it up with some signs to look for.
Green Flags (Good Signs)
- Real traffic (you can check with tools like SimilarWeb)
- Active blog or updated pages
- Relevant content to your niche
- No spelling errors or spammy language
- Backlinks from respected domains
Red Flags (Bad Signs)
- “Write for us” pages on spammy blogs
- Low-quality content
- No traffic at all
- Too many outgoing links on one page
- “Sponsored Post” labels with dozens of ads
Tips to Build Trustworthy Backlinks the Right Way
Backlinks are not just about SEO. They are about building relationships and helping users.
Here are some honest and effective ways to get links from trusted websites:
- Create original, helpful content
- Share real case studies
- Make tools, calculators, or templates
- Write list posts or guides that others can link to
- Partner with influencers or micro creators
- Be active in online communities
The more helpful you are, the more backlinks you earn naturally.
Bonus: Smart Backlink Tactics for 2025
In 2025, the SEO world will be more careful than ever.
Here are some fresh tactics that still work:
1. Link Inserts in Existing Posts (Niche Edits)
Find existing blog posts on other sites. Ask to insert a link where it fits naturally.
This is faster than guest posting and can be very effective.
2. Podcasts and Interviews
Get featured on a podcast or interview blog. Most of them link to your site in the show notes or author bio.
3. Use Testimonials
Offer a testimonial for a tool or service you use. In return, they often give you a backlink on their homepage.
4. Local Listings for Local SEO
If your business is local, add it to:
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- JustDial
- Sulekha
- Local chamber of commerce websites
These links also help with map rankings.
How to Track and Monitor Your Backlinks
Getting backlinks is step one. Keeping track is step two.
Use these free tools:
- Google Search Console: Shows some of your backlinks
- Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker
- SEO Review Tools (Backlink Checker)
- Ubersuggest
Look for:
- How many backlinks you have
- Where they come from
- Which ones send traffic
- Any harmful ones to remove
How Many Backlinks Do You Really Need?
It depends.
If your competition has 100 good backlinks, you need to match or beat them.
But quality matters more than numbers.
One backlink from a strong website is better than 50 weak ones.
Final Words: Focus on Value, Not Tricks
If you want long-term SEO growth, focus on value.
Do not try shortcuts.
Do not buy low-quality links.
Instead:
- Create content people want to share
- Build real connections
- Add value first
- Reach out with honesty
In the end, Google wants to show helpful content. Backlinks are just a signal of that.
The more you help others, the more others will link to you.
And that is the real secret.
Summary (Quick Recap)
Here is a fast list of backlinks websites you can trust:
- Medium
- Crunchbase
- GitHub (for tech)
- Quora
- Reddit (with caution)
- Google Sites
- WordPress
- Clutch, G2, Capterra
- HARO
And remember:
- Avoid spammy and fake sites
- Build links slowly and honestly
- Track your progress with tools
- Help others first, and links will come
FAQs
Q1. What are backlinks in SEO?
Ans. Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site. They act like votes of trust. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the better your chances to rank higher on Google.
Q2. How do I know if a backlink is good?
Ans. A good backlink comes from a trusted, real website that gets traffic and has content related to your niche. It should be placed naturally inside useful content, not on spammy or low-quality sites.
Q3. Are free backlinks useful for SEO?
Ans. Yes, free backlinks can help, especially from trusted platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, or Google Sites. Just make sure they come from real, active websites and not from link farms or spam directories.
Q4. Can backlinks hurt my website?
Ans. Yes. If the backlinks are from shady, unrelated, or spammy sites, they can hurt your rankings. Google may even penalize your site if it sees too many harmful backlinks pointing to it.
Q5. How many backlinks do I need to rank on Google?
Ans. There is no fixed number. It depends on your competition. If your competitors have 100 good backlinks, you might need the same or more—but focus on quality, not quantity.
