(guy who created LaunchDirectories)
Domain authority matters for SEO, credibility, and the quality of traffic you'll get. These high-authority directories can boost your search rankings while driving targeted visitors who are actively looking for products like yours.
I've personally submitted to all of these platforms and tracked the results. Some drove immediate traffic, others built long-term SEO value. A few did both. The key is understanding what each platform offers and how to approach them strategically.
This isn't just a list of high DR sites - it's a strategic guide to the directories that actually move the needle for startups. Each entry includes real experiences, traffic potential, and specific tactics for getting accepted and maximizing your results.
Sources: Domain Rating scores from Ahrefs third-party tools (2025), traffic estimates from SimilarWeb and internal analytics.Disclaimer: Domain ratings and traffic numbers are estimates and may vary. Results are based on personal experience and may not reflect your specific outcomes.
Average domain rating of top 5 directories
Backlinks from high authority sites improve rankings
Higher conversion rates from authority sites
High domain authority doesn't always mean high conversion rates. Reddit (DR 95) can drive massive traffic but low conversions if you're not authentic. TechCrunch (DR 94) brings qualified leads but is nearly impossible to get featured organically. The sweet spot is finding directories with both high authority AND relevant audiences for your specific product category.
Domain Rating (DR) is a metric from Ahrefs that measures a website's authority on a scale of 0-100, based on the quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to it. Higher DR typically means better SEO value when you get a backlink from that site.
For directory submissions, high DR sites can boost your own search rankings through backlinks, but more importantly, they often have more established audiences and better traffic quality. A listing on a DR 90 site usually outperforms ten listings on DR 30 sites.
High authority directories are selective because they want to maintain their reputation and user experience. Your product needs to be polished - good design, clear value proposition, and working functionality. Many require actual screenshots, not just landing pages.
For community-driven sites like Reddit and Hacker News, focus on providing value first. Share insights, help others, and build relationships before promoting your product. For formal directories like TechCrunch, you need a compelling story - significant traction, unique solution, or notable team background.
It depends on your goals. If you're focused on SEO and building domain authority, high DR directories are valuable. But if you want immediate customers and conversions, niche directories with lower DR but highly relevant audiences often perform better.
The best strategy is a mix: use high DR directories for SEO and credibility, while targeting niche directories for qualified traffic. A backlink from a DR 40 directory in your exact niche can be more valuable than a DR 80 general directory.
Traffic results can be immediate or take weeks depending on the platform. Reddit and Hacker News can drive traffic within hours if your post gains traction. Product Hunt gives you 24-48 hours of visibility. Directory listings like AlternativeTo build traffic gradually over months.
SEO benefits from backlinks typically take 3-6 months to show impact in search rankings. Don't expect overnight SEO improvements, but do track referral traffic and brand mentions which can happen much faster.
We'll submit your product to 100+ directories and build valuable backlinks for your SEO.