Directory-Free at a glance
- Listing price
- Free, paid upgradesFeatured listing $4.95 one-time (top of category, dofollow, thumbnail); regular submit button is the free path
- Domain rating
- DR 30
- Link
- Dofollow
- Account
- Not needed
- Backlink or badge
- Not required
- Email confirmation
- No
- Time to go live
- Featured listings are approved within 24 hours. Regular listings are reviewed as and when a reviewer has time; no specific timeframe is given.
- Submit at
- directory-free.com/submit/submit.php
What Directory-Free is and who it's for
Directory-Free is a general web directory that has been active since 2005, claiming to be the oldest active web directory in the world. It lists websites across dozens of categories, from Arts to Web Design, and currently shows over 135,000 active regular listings. The site offers both free regular listings and paid featured listings, with featured listings appearing at the top of categories and in a special Premium Sites section.
General web users looking for websites by category, as well as site owners seeking directory backlinks.
It lists
- English-language websites
- Top-level domains only (no deep links)
- Sites across Arts, Business, Computers, Finance, Health, Int
It doesn't take
- Escorts, Tobacco, Nicotine, Health and Games sites for Featured listings
- Non-English sites for regular listings
- Deep links (e.g., http://example.com/path/page)
How to submit to Directory-Free, step by step
Submit a regular listing for free. It will be reviewed as and when a reviewer has time, and inclusion is not guaranteed.
Choose listing type
Decide between a free regular listing or a $4.95 one-time featured listing. Featured listings are approved within 24 hours, appear at the top of the category, get dofollow links, and have no other adverts on their page.
Select a category
Pick the most relevant category from the extensive list, which includes subcategories under Arts, Business, Computers, Finance, Health, Internet, News, Recreation, Shopping, Society, Software, Travel, and more.
Fill out the submission form
Enter your site details. The form includes a word-verification field to prevent spam. No account is required.
Submit and wait for review
For regular listings, your site will be reviewed when a reviewer has time. For featured listings, you'll be approved within 24 hours or refunded in full if not accepted.
What the Directory-Free form asks for
| Field | Limits and format |
|---|---|
| categorie | Select from the provided category list |
Our free preview drafts your name, tagline, short and long descriptions, categories and tags in the lengths directories like this one ask for. Try it with your URL.
Directory-Free pricing: free vs paid
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Regular listing | Free | Listing below featured listings, adverts on your page, no thumbnail, inclusion not guaranteed |
| Featured listing | $4.95 one-time | Approval within 24 hours, top of category, dofollow links, no other adverts, thumbnail, displayed in Premium Sites, links to social accounts, phone/email allowed in description, assistance with changes, refund if not accepted |
Why Directory-Free submissions get rejected or stall
- Site is not in English (for regular listings)
- Deep link submitted (e.g., http://example.com/path/page)
- Site falls under Escorts, Tobacco, Nicotine, Health, or Games (for Featured listings)
- Inclusion is not guaranteed for regular listings; site may be rejected at reviewer's discretion
Tips for a listing that gets approved
- For a faster listing and better placement, consider the $4.95 featured option—it's a one-time fee with dofollow links and a thumbnail.
- Choose the most specific subcategory to improve relevance and chances of approval.
- Ensure your site is in English and submit only the top-level domain, not a deep link.
- If you need to change your title or description later, featured listings include assistance.
Our take on Directory-Free
Directory-Free is a low-cost way to get a dofollow backlink from an old, established directory. The free listing may take a long time to be reviewed, but the $4.95 featured option guarantees approval within 24 hours and better placement. It's suitable for any English-language website that fits the categories, except those in the excluded niches for featured listings.
Directory-Free FAQ
How much does it cost to list my site on Directory-Free?
A regular listing is free. A featured listing costs $4.95 as a one-time fee.
How long does it take to get approved?
Featured listings are approved within 24 hours. Regular listings are reviewed as and when a reviewer has time; no specific timeframe is given.
Do I get a dofollow link?
Yes, featured listings get dofollow links on the category and details pages.
Do I need to create an account?
No, there is no account required to submit.
What are the requirements for a regular listing?
Your site must be in English, and deep links are not allowed. Inclusion is not guaranteed.
Checked against Directory-Free's own pages on Oct 24, 2026: directory-free.com, directory-free.com/submit/submit.php. Directories change their forms and prices; the submit page has the final word.
