Web 2.0 Backlink Sites: The 44 Real Platforms List
Web 2.0 backlink sites are hosted publishing platforms, Medium, WordPress.com, Blogger, and similar, where you create a profile or blog and link back to your main site. They still have a real, narrow use case in 2026. The tiered stacking approach most lists describe is exactly the pattern Google’s spam policies now target directly.
What Are Web 2.0 Sites?
Web 2.0 sites are platforms that let anyone publish content or create a profile without owning the underlying domain. Medium, Blogger, and WordPress.com are the classic examples. A page you create lives on their domain, at a subdomain or URL path, and inherits some of that domain’s existing trust while you control the content on it.
The term dates back to the mid-2000s, when user-generated content platforms first let regular users publish without any technical setup. In SEO terms, a Web 2.0 property is any hosted page you don’t own the domain for but can still add a link to: your site, your other content, or a call to action. That’s the whole mechanic: borrowed domain trust, plus a link you control.
The honest version of this is a real profile or a real piece of syndicated content that happens to link back to you. The version some guides describe, dozens of near-identical throwaway pages built purely to pass link equity through a tiered structure, is a different thing entirely, even though it uses the same platforms.
Are Web 2.0 Backlinks Gray-Hat or Black-Hat SEO?
It depends entirely on execution. A genuine profile or syndicated article with a disclosed, relevant link is white-hat. A network of near-identical, thinly-populated Web 2.0 pages built purely to pass link equity through a tiered structure is functionally a PBN. Google’s site reputation abuse and scaled content abuse policies target that pattern directly.
Site reputation abuse, introduced in March 2024 and still in force through 2026, covers third-party content published mainly to exploit a host domain’s existing Domain Authority and ranking signals. The content usually has little real connection to what that page is for. A Web 2.0 tier built to feed link equity to a money site fits that definition closely, even though the individual platform, Medium or Blogger, is legitimate. The policy targets the pattern, not the platform.
Scaled content abuse is the companion policy: generating a large volume of low-value pages, often with AI, primarily to manipulate rankings rather than serve a real reader. A high-volume, same-day approach to building Web 2.0 properties is close to a textbook description of what this policy exists to catch. Neither policy cares whether a human technically approved the content. If the page exists mainly to pass ranking signals rather than serve a genuine purpose, it’s in scope.
Dofollow vs. Nofollow Web 2.0 Sites (And Why So Many Lists Get This Wrong)
Dofollow status on major Web 2.0 platforms is less consistent than most lists claim, and it changes without announcement. Medium’s own documentation confirms its links carry a nofollow and UGC attribute by default, directly contradicting a lot of dofollow claims still circulating.
This is worth checking yourself rather than trusting a static list, including this one. View the page source on a live post from the platform you’re considering, or use a link checker tool. Platforms update their linking policy without notice, and older lists don’t get corrected. A platform showing as dofollow in one guide and nofollow in another usually means the guide is outdated, not that the platform is inconsistent.
Nofollow links still have real value even though they don’t pass PageRank directly: brand visibility, referral traffic, and a natural-looking mix in your overall backlink profile. A backlink profile made entirely of dofollow links from cookie-cutter Web 2.0 pages genuinely looks less natural to Google’s systems than one with a realistic mix of both.
Top 44 Web 2.0 Sites List (Verified Platforms)
This list runs to 44 platforms. Every entry here is a genuinely active, currently-operating platform with a real use case, formatted with the same detail as any card-style backlink list: estimated authority, link type, indexing speed, why it works, a real use case, and a practitioner tip. DA is shown as a range rather than a single invented number, since exact third-party scores shift constantly and a fake-precise figure is worse than an honest one.
Major Publishing Platforms
1. Medium.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Nofollow + UGC (confirmed) | Indexing Speed: Fast (hours to 2 days)
Why It Works: Massive crawl priority and a built-in publication system that gives new content real distribution, not just an indexed URL.
Use Case:
- Syndicate existing blog content with a canonical tag pointing back to your site
- Build a niche publication to establish topical presence
- Brand visibility and referral traffic even without link equity
Pro Tip: Pitch or build a Medium publication instead of posting solo. Publications get more internal distribution and a more consistent readership than standalone profile posts.
2. WordPress.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Varies by plan and theme, verify per post | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Same underlying software as self-hosted WordPress, which means real formatting control and a genuine blogging experience, not a stripped-down profile page.
Use Case:
- Free-tier blog for a sub-brand, side project, or portfolio
- Long-form content that needs proper headings, images, and structure
- A staging ground before moving to a self-hosted domain
Pro Tip: Use a custom subdomain and post consistently. A single-post WordPress.com blog reads as abandoned; five or more posts over a few months reads as a real property.
3. Blogger.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Historically dofollow on body links, verify current status | Indexing Speed: Fast (Google-owned)
Why It Works: Owned directly by Google, which means fast, reliable crawling and none of the third-party indexing uncertainty other platforms carry.
Use Case:
- Support or legacy blog for an existing brand
- Simple, no-frills publishing when speed of setup matters more than design
- A stable home for evergreen how-to or reference content
Pro Tip: Enable a custom domain if you plan to invest real content here. It gives the property more credibility and makes future migration easier if you outgrow the free subdomain.
4. Tumblr.com
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies by theme | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Long-standing platform with real community features, tags, reblogs, that can genuinely drive discovery beyond search.
Use Case:
- Visual or casual brand presence, especially in creative or lifestyle niches
- Short-form content paired with images
- Cross-posting content that also lives on your main site
Pro Tip: Use tags deliberately. Tumblr’s internal discovery still runs on tags, and a well-tagged post reaches more of the platform’s existing audience than an untagged one.
5. Substack.com
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies by post | Indexing Speed: Moderate (2-5 days)
Why It Works: Built specifically for newsletters, so posts are structured, indexable, and carry topical relevance when the niche is focused.
Use Case:
- A real newsletter with a genuine subscriber base
- Topical authority content in a specific niche over time
- A public archive of posts that also functions as indexable content
Pro Tip: Use Substack’s Notes and cross-recommendation features to grow inside the platform’s own network, not just through external promotion.
6. LiveJournal.com
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Slow
Why It Works: One of the oldest blogging platforms still operating, with an established domain history that’s hard to replicate on a new site.
Use Case:
- A legacy-style personal or brand blog
- Niche communities that still have active user bases on the platform
- Content diversity in a backlink profile
Pro Tip: Don’t expect fast indexing here. Treat it as a slow-burn property you check in on periodically, not a quick-turnaround asset.
7. Vocal.Media
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Nofollow, but indexes and ranks | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: A dedicated author URL with no editorial approval process for standard content, so publishing friction is close to zero.
Use Case:
- Long-form articles with a clear byline
- Niche topical hubs built around a specific subject
- Content that benefits from a built-in reader base already on the platform
Pro Tip: Vocal’s own algorithm rewards consistency. Publishing on a regular schedule gets more internal platform visibility than sporadic posting.
8. Write.as
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Follow | Indexing Speed: Fast, usually under 24 hours
Why It Works: Minimalist, writer-focused platform that indexes quickly and doesn’t bury content behind heavy design or ads.
Use Case:
- Quick publishing for time-sensitive content
- A clean, distraction-free home for essay-style writing
- Small topical clusters using the platform’s Collections feature
Pro Tip: Use Collections to group related posts. It creates a simple internal structure that helps both readers and crawlers understand the topic relationship between posts.
Portfolio & Personal Brand Platforms
9. About.me
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies by setup | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: About.me built specifically for personal branding, so outbound links in the bio read as expected and normal, not as a red flag.
Use Case:
- A central hub linking to your other properties, socials, and main site
- Author or founder profile supporting E-E-A-T signals elsewhere
- A branded landing page for a specific campaign or launch
Pro Tip: Go beyond the default template. A fuller profile, real bio, multiple genuine links, a photo, reads as an actual person rather than a placeholder page.
10. Behance.net
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Typically nofollow on profile links | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Behance is the portfolio platform for designers, with genuine industry traffic and discovery built in.
Use Case:
- Design or creative portfolio supporting a design-focused business
- Case study presentations that link back to full write-ups on your site
- Professional credibility for freelancers and agencies
Pro Tip: Treat each project upload like a mini case study, process, outcome, tools used, not just a finished image. It performs better inside Behance’s own discovery algorithm.
11. Dribbble.com
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Nofollow on profile and shot links | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Strong niche audience of designers and design-adjacent decision-makers, useful for visibility even without direct link equity.
Use Case:
- Design portfolio and brand presence in creative circles
- Recruiting and business development for design agencies
- Referral traffic from a genuinely engaged niche audience
Pro Tip: Engagement matters more than volume here. A handful of well-presented shots outperforms dozens of rushed uploads for both visibility and any indirect SEO value.
12. Read.cv
DA: 50-59 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: A newer, more curated take on the personal profile page, popular in tech and creative professional circles.
Use Case:
- Founder or team member profiles supporting company E-E-A-T
- Professional portfolio for freelancers in tech-adjacent fields
- A cleaner alternative to a generic LinkedIn profile link
Pro Tip: Keep it current. This platform’s value is credibility, and a stale, outdated profile undercuts that more than not having one at all.
13. Crunchbase.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Varies, company profile links | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: The default reference point for company and funding information, with high trust from both users and search engines.
Use Case:
- Company profile supporting brand search results
- Startup visibility for investor and press discovery
- A credible, high-authority citation for your business’s existence and details
Pro Tip: Keep your company description, funding details, and team information accurate and complete. An incomplete profile looks abandoned and ranks worse for branded searches.
14. Wellfound (AngelList)
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Established startup and hiring platform with genuine authority in the tech and startup space specifically.
Use Case:
- Startup company profile for hiring and visibility
- Founder profile supporting personal brand and credibility
- A relevant citation for tech and startup-focused businesses
Pro Tip: An active jobs board on your profile, even with one or two listings, signals a real, operating company rather than a placeholder page.
15. LinkedIn Articles
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Nofollow | Indexing Speed: Near-instant
Why It Works: Massive built-in professional audience and fast indexing, useful for reach even though the link itself doesn’t pass equity.
Use Case:
- Thought leadership content supporting personal or company brand authority
- Repurposed blog content adapted for a professional audience
- Driving qualified referral traffic from a business audience
Pro Tip: Native LinkedIn video and documents get more platform-internal reach than plain text articles. Repurpose visual content from your main site here rather than posting text-only.
Developer & Technical Platforms
16. GitHub Pages
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Dofollow (self-hosted static content) | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Free static site hosting on a genuinely high-trust domain, popular with developers and well-crawled by default.
Use Case:
- Developer portfolios and open-source project documentation
- Technical resources or tools connected to your main product
- A credible home for code samples and technical write-ups
Pro Tip: Add proper meta tags and a real README-driven landing page. A bare repository with no context indexes poorly compared to a structured project page.
17. GitLab Pages
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Dofollow (self-hosted static content) | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Same static hosting concept as GitHub Pages, useful as a secondary option or for teams already using GitLab for development.
Use Case:
- Technical documentation for a product already built on GitLab
- Developer-facing landing pages
- A secondary static hosting option for redundancy
Pro Tip: If you’re already on GitLab for development, this is close to zero extra setup cost for a real, indexable static page.
18. Dev.to
DA: 70-89 | Link Type: Dofollow on article body | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Genuine, active developer community with real engagement, not just a content dump platform.
Use Case:
- Technical tutorials and how-to content for a developer audience
- Product updates relevant to a technical audience
- Building author credibility in the developer community
Pro Tip: Cross-post from your own blog using Dev.to’s canonical URL field. You get the community reach without creating a duplicate content problem.
19. Hashnode.com
DA: 60-79 | Link Type: Dofollow on article body | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Lets you run a blog on a custom domain while still benefiting from the platform’s built-in developer audience and discovery.
Use Case:
- Technical blogging with more control than Dev.to’s shared format
- Building a personal or product blog with an existing audience baseline
- Long-term content home if you want a custom domain without full self-hosting
Pro Tip: Use the custom domain option from the start if you plan to invest real content here. Migrating later means managing redirects.
20. HackerNoon.com
DA: 70-89 | Link Type: Editorial review required | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Real editorial process and high trust in tech and startup search results, which makes placements here carry more weight than an unmoderated platform.
Use Case:
- Genuine thought leadership for tech, startup, and finance topics
- Contributor bio linking to About.me, LinkedIn, or your main site
- Building author authority through a recognized tech publication
Pro Tip: Pitch a specific, well-formed idea rather than submitting a generic post. The editorial bar here is real, and generic submissions get rejected or buried.
21. CodePen.io
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: The default platform for sharing front-end code demos, with a built-in audience of developers who discover work through the platform itself.
Use Case:
- Interactive demos supporting a design or development portfolio
- Technical proof-of-concept content linked from your main site
- Profile page as part of a broader developer presence
Pro Tip: A well-documented, genuinely useful pen gets far more organic discovery inside CodePen than a throwaway snippet, since the platform’s own search and trending features reward real utility.
Free Site Builders
22. Wix
DA: 90+ (parent domain) | Link Type: Often not indexed by default on free tier, must be enabled | Indexing Speed: Slow unless configured
Why It Works: Full site-building flexibility on a high-authority parent domain, though the free tier requires manual steps to be search-visible at all.
Use Case:
- Quick branded microsite for a campaign or sub-project
- A visually complete presence without custom development
- Testing a new brand concept before committing to a full site
Pro Tip: Check your site’s indexing settings before publishing anything. Many free Wix sites are excluded from search by default until you explicitly enable indexing.
23. Weebly.com / Square Online
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Simple builder with a straightforward path to a functional, indexable small site.
Use Case:
- Simple branded microsite or landing page
- A basic online presence for a side project or sub-brand
- Schema-rich content like FAQs or how-tos that help Google parse the page
Pro Tip: Add structured FAQ or how-to content blocks where relevant. It gives search engines more to work with than plain paragraph text alone.
24. Google Sites
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Google-owned, so indexing is reliable, and the builder is genuinely simple for basic documentation-style pages.
Use Case:
- Internal or public documentation hub
- A simple resource page or FAQ hub linked from your main site
- A lightweight landing page when speed of setup matters most
Pro Tip: Keep the structure simple and text-focused. This platform isn’t built for heavy design, and fighting that limitation produces a worse result than working with it.
25. Site123.com
DA: 60-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Slow
Why It Works: Less popular than Wix or Weebly, which in practice means less competition for attention inside the platform’s own template pool.
Use Case:
- Comparison or review-style landing pages
- A basic branded presence without ongoing maintenance needs
- Testing a simple offer page before building it properly
Pro Tip: Submit the URL directly through Google Search Console after publishing. Slower-indexing platforms benefit more from a manual indexing request than faster ones do.
26. Strikingly.com
DA: 60-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Built specifically for single-page sites, which suits a focused landing page better than a multi-page builder would.
Use Case:
- A simple one-page portfolio or brand landing page
- Event or campaign-specific microsites
- A minimal presence that’s fast to set up and maintain
Pro Tip: Use image alt text and captions deliberately. The platform supports them well, and they give search engines additional relevant context on an otherwise image-heavy page type.
27. Webnode.com
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Slow, but stable once indexed
Why It Works: Supports multi-page sites on a real subdomain, giving more structural depth than a single landing page tool.
Use Case:
- A small multi-page resource or reference site
- A secondary brand presence with genuine, if modest, content depth
- Testing a content structure before investing in a full custom site
Pro Tip: Publish at least three to five pages with real navigation. A single orphaned page looks unfinished and indexes less reliably than a structured mini-site.
28. Webs.com
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: An older but still-functioning builder that supports genuine small sites rather than just single pages.
Use Case:
- Local or regional content pages
- A basic informational site supporting a broader brand
- A modest, low-maintenance web presence
Pro Tip: If your use case has any local angle, reflect that clearly in the page content and structure rather than treating the site as generic.
29. Jimdo.com
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Clean, modern builder output that doesn’t read as dated the way some legacy platforms do.
Use Case:
- Small business or freelancer landing page
- A modest content hub with a handful of genuinely useful pages
- Testing a new offer or service page format
Pro Tip: Use the platform’s built-in SEO fields, meta title and description, rather than leaving them on the auto-generated default.
30. Yola.com
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Slow
Why It Works: Simple WYSIWYG builder that gets a basic site live quickly, even if design flexibility is limited.
Use Case:
- A minimal-effort branded presence
- Basic contact or informational pages
- A secondary property in a broader content diversity strategy
Pro Tip: Don’t expect fast indexing. Submit the site to Search Console and give it real time before judging whether it’s working.
31. Zoho Sites
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Business-oriented builder with genuinely functional forms, FAQ blocks, and content modules beyond basic text pages.
Use Case:
- A small business site with functional contact and FAQ sections
- A secondary property for a company already using other Zoho tools
- Content that benefits from structured FAQ or form blocks
Pro Tip: Use the FAQ block specifically. It’s parsed as structured content and gives you a legitimate reason to include natural, varied phrasing around your topic.
Document & Presentation Hosting
32. Issuu.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Follow (inside document metadata) | Indexing Speed: Fast if interlinked
Why It Works: The page hosting an uploaded document is itself indexable and pulls metadata for search visibility, not just the file itself.
Use Case:
- Publishing genuine reports, guides, or lookbooks as embeddable documents
- Repurposing an existing PDF asset into a second indexable format
- A credible home for downloadable resources tied to your brand
Pro Tip: Fill out the title and description metadata thoroughly when uploading. That’s what search engines index, not just the document content itself.
33. Scribd.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: High-authority document hosting platform with a large existing user base actively searching for reference content.
Use Case:
- Sharing research, whitepapers, or long-form reference documents
- Repurposing existing gated content into a partially accessible format
- Building citations for genuinely original research
Pro Tip: Only upload content you’re comfortable being partially or fully accessible without a paywall, since Scribd’s own access model can expose more of the document than a gated asset on your own site would.
34. SlideShare.net
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: LinkedIn-owned platform with genuine professional audience overlap and strong domain trust.
Use Case:
- Repurposing webinar slides or presentation decks into a second content format
- Building visibility among a LinkedIn-adjacent professional audience
- A credible home for conference or event presentation materials
Pro Tip: Design slides to work as standalone content, not just visual aids for a live talk. Text-heavy, self-explanatory slides perform better on this platform than sparse presentation slides.
35. Notion (Public Pages)
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Typically nofollow | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Increasingly common for public documentation and resource hubs, with a clean, fast-loading page structure.
Use Case:
- Public documentation, changelogs, or resource hubs
- A simple, fast-to-build landing page for a specific offer
- Internal knowledge made public as a lightweight content asset
Pro Tip: Structure the page with real headings and a table of contents. Notion pages that read as organized documentation perform better than a single unstructured wall of content.
Community & Discussion Platforms
36. Quora.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Nofollow (UGC) | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Massive existing search visibility for question-based queries, useful for brand exposure even without link equity.
Use Case:
- Answering genuine, relevant questions with real expertise
- Brand and founder visibility in front of an actively searching audience
- Referral traffic from highly intent-driven readers
Pro Tip: Answer the actual question asked, in depth, before mentioning your own site. Answers that read as thinly-disguised ads get downvoted and buried by the platform’s own community.
37. Reddit.com
DA: 90+ | Link Type: Nofollow (UGC) | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: Extremely high domain trust and fast indexing, with individual threads regularly ranking for competitive queries.
Use Case:
- Genuine community participation in relevant subreddits
- Brand visibility and reputation in spaces your audience already uses
- Referral traffic from highly engaged niche communities
Pro Tip: Participate as a genuine community member first. Reddit’s culture actively punishes accounts that show up only to post links, and that reputation follows the account.
38. IndieHackers.com
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Genuinely engaged startup and solo-founder community with real discussion, not just a link-drop forum.
Use Case:
- Building in public content for a startup or side project
- Founder visibility within a startup-focused audience
- Genuine product feedback and community engagement
Pro Tip: Share real numbers, decisions, and lessons, not just promotional updates. The community rewards transparency and tends to ignore purely promotional posts.
39. Product Hunt
DA: 80-89 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Fast
Why It Works: High-visibility launch platform with a genuinely engaged tech and startup audience actively looking for new tools.
Use Case:
- Product launch visibility and initial traction
- Maker profile supporting founder credibility
- A citation and referral source for a genuinely new product or feature
Pro Tip: A launch here is a one-time event, not an ongoing content channel. Treat it as a single high-effort push rather than a recurring publishing platform.
Portfolio-Adjacent & Niche Platforms
40. Carrd.co
DA: 60-79 | Link Type: Varies | Indexing Speed: Moderate
Why It Works: Extremely simple, fast-loading single-page sites that work well for a focused, single-purpose page.
Use Case:
- A link-in-bio style hub pointing to your other properties
- A minimal pre-launch or coming-soon page
- A single-purpose portfolio or resume page
Pro Tip: Keep it genuinely single-purpose. Trying to cram a full multi-page site’s worth of content onto one Carrd page undermines the format’s actual strength.
41. Pen.io
DA: 60-79 | Link Type: Follow | Indexing Speed: Fast when interlinked
Why It Works: No-login, single-page publishing that gets content live in minutes, useful when speed matters more than platform features.
Use Case:
- A quick reference page or announcement
- Simple, text-focused content with minimal formatting needs
- A lightweight page for time-sensitive information
Pro Tip: Because it requires no account, treat any page you publish here as effectively permanent and unmanaged. Only use it for content you don’t need to update later.
42. Tripod.lycos.com
DA: 70-79 | Link Type: Follow | Indexing Speed: Slow, but indexes eventually
Why It Works: One of the oldest active site builders online, with a genuinely aged domain history.
Use Case:
- Low-priority, low-maintenance content diversity
- Legacy-style reference content that doesn’t need frequent updates
- A minor addition to a broader, otherwise-legitimate content presence
Pro Tip: Don’t expect much from this platform beyond basic presence. The interface is dated and functionality is limited compared to modern builders, so keep expectations proportional to the effort involved.
43. Bravenet.com
DA: 60-79 | Link Type: Follow | Indexing Speed: Slow
Why It Works: Long-running, still-functioning web tools and hosting platform from the early web era.
Use Case:
- Basic informational pages with minimal design needs
- Low-priority content diversity in a broader profile
- Simple tools or widgets if relevant to your niche
Pro Tip: Treat this as a low-effort, low-expectation property. It’s real and it works, but it’s not going to be a meaningful traffic or authority driver on its own.
44. Angelfire.com
DA: 60-79 | Link Type: Follow | Indexing Speed: Slow
Why It Works: Still-operating legacy platform (part of the Lycos network) with an old, established domain footprint.
Use Case:
- Minimal, low-maintenance content presence
- Basic informational or reference pages
- A minor part of a diversified, otherwise-genuine content footprint
Pro Tip: Given the platform’s age and limited modern functionality, this is a low-priority addition, not a foundation. Build your real properties elsewhere first.
Web 2.0 Sites Reference Table
| # | Site | Est. DA | Link Type | Indexing Speed |
| 1 | Medium.com | 90+ | Nofollow + UGC | Fast |
| 2 | WordPress.com | 90+ | Varies | Fast |
| 3 | Blogger.com | 90+ | Historically follow | Fast |
| 4 | Tumblr.com | 80-89 | Varies | Moderate |
| 5 | Substack.com | 80-89 | Varies | Moderate |
| 6 | LiveJournal.com | 70-79 | Varies | Slow |
| 7 | Vocal.Media | 70-79 | Nofollow | Fast |
| 8 | Write.as | 70-79 | Follow | Fast |
| 9 | About.me | 80-89 | Varies | Fast |
| 10 | Behance.net | 80-89 | Typically nofollow | Moderate |
| 11 | Dribbble.com | 70-79 | Nofollow | Moderate |
| 12 | Read.cv | 50-59 | Varies | Moderate |
| 13 | Crunchbase.com | 90+ | Varies | Fast |
| 14 | Wellfound (AngelList) | 70-79 | Varies | Moderate |
| 15 | LinkedIn Articles | 90+ | Nofollow | Near-instant |
| 16 | GitHub Pages | 80-89 | Follow | Fast |
| 17 | GitLab Pages | 80-89 | Follow | Moderate |
| 18 | Dev.to | 70-89 | Follow | Fast |
| 19 | Hashnode.com | 60-79 | Follow | Fast |
| 20 | HackerNoon.com | 70-89 | Editorial review | Moderate |
| 21 | CodePen.io | 80-89 | Varies | Moderate |
| 22 | Wix | 90+ (parent) | Must enable indexing | Slow unless configured |
| 23 | Weebly.com / Square | 80-89 | Varies | Fast |
| 24 | Google Sites | 90+ | Varies | Fast |
| 25 | Site123.com | 60-79 | Varies | Slow |
| 26 | Strikingly.com | 60-79 | Varies | Moderate |
| 27 | Webnode.com | 70-79 | Varies | Slow |
| 28 | Webs.com | 70-79 | Varies | Moderate |
| 29 | Jimdo.com | 80-89 | Varies | Moderate |
| 30 | Yola.com | 80-89 | Varies | Slow |
| 31 | Zoho Sites | 80-89 | Varies | Moderate |
| 32 | Issuu.com | 90+ | Follow (metadata) | Fast if interlinked |
| 33 | Scribd.com | 90+ | Varies | Moderate |
| 34 | SlideShare.net | 90+ | Varies | Moderate |
| 35 | Notion (public pages) | 80-89 | Typically nofollow | Moderate |
| 36 | Quora.com | 90+ | Nofollow (UGC) | Fast |
| 37 | Reddit.com | 90+ | Nofollow (UGC) | Fast |
| 38 | IndieHackers.com | 70-79 | Varies | Moderate |
| 39 | Product Hunt | 80-89 | Varies | Fast |
| 40 | Carrd.co | 60-79 | Varies | Moderate |
| 41 | Pen.io | 60-79 | Follow | Fast if interlinked |
| 42 | Tripod.lycos.com | 70-79 | Follow | Slow |
| 43 | Bravenet.com | 60-79 | Follow | Slow |
| 44 | Angelfire.com | 60-79 | Follow | Slow |
How Tiered Link Building Works and Why Google Treats It as a Spam Pattern
Tiered link building means building links to your other links instead of directly to your money site, layering Tier 2 properties that point to Tier 1 properties that point to your main pages. The concept isn’t inherently against Google’s guidelines, but the version built entirely from throwaway Web 2.0 pages almost always is.
The legitimate version of tiering looks like genuine external mentions, a real guest post, a real citation, pointing to a real piece of content you’ve built, like a resource page or a research report. That piece then links to your money site through normal internal linking. Nothing in that chain exists purely to pass link equity. Every piece has its own independent reason to exist.
The version some Web 2.0 tiering guides describe inverts that: build the throwaway pages first, specifically to support a link network, then backfill enough content to make each one look less obviously manufactured. That’s the exact mechanism site reputation abuse and scaled content abuse were built to catch, and detection has gotten measurably better since the coordinated 2024-2026 policy rollout. A network built this way doesn’t fail occasionally. It fails as detection improves, and that’s been a one-directional trend for several years running.
How to Create a Web 2.0 Property That’s Genuinely Worth Having
A Web 2.0 property worth having starts with a genuine reason to exist beyond the link: real content, a real audience, or a real brand presence. From there, build it out with the same care you’d put into your own site.
Pick platforms that fit your actual goal instead of trying to cover every entry on the list above. A developer audience benefits from Dev.to or Hashnode. A design portfolio benefits from Behance or Dribbble. A general brand presence benefits from Medium or LinkedIn. Five well-built properties outperform twenty thin ones.
Write real, complete content, not a 300-word placeholder with an exact-match anchor. If you’re syndicating existing content from your own site, use a canonical tag pointing back to the original. That tells Google which version is the source and avoids a duplicate content problem. Link out naturally, once or twice, with varied anchor text, not a single aggressive commercial anchor repeated across everything you publish.
Best Practices: Do’s and Don’ts of Web 2.0 Link Building
The core do is treating each property like a small, real asset with its own purpose. The core don’t is building volume first and asking whether it’s useful later.
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Web 2.0 vs. Guest Posting vs. Social Bookmarking
Web 2.0 properties, guest posting, and social bookmarking solve different problems and carry different risk profiles. Guest posting earns editorial links on someone else’s established audience, Web 2.0 properties build your own presence on a trusted platform, and social bookmarking mostly drives discovery rather than direct ranking value.
| Tactic | What It Is | Typical Link Value | Risk Level |
| Web 2.0 Properties | A profile or blog you control on a trusted platform | Low to moderate, varies by platform and follow status | Low if genuine, high if built at scale purely for tiering |
| Guest Posting | An article placed on someone else’s established site with editorial review | Moderate to high, depending on site relevance and traffic | Low if the site is genuinely relevant and reviews content |
| Social Bookmarking | Submitting a URL to platforms like Reddit or niche bookmarking sites | Low direct SEO value, mostly referral traffic and nofollow links | Low, but limited upside for rankings specifically |
None of these three replace genuine backlinks from editorially independent sites in your niche. They each play a supporting role instead: Web 2.0 properties for brand presence and diversity, guest posting for genuine editorial authority, social bookmarking for discovery and referral traffic. None of the three works well as a primary link building strategy on its own.
How to Check Spam Score before Building Links
Check a target site’s spam score using tools like Moz’s Spam Score or Ahrefs’ toxicity indicators before publishing anything there. A high spam score signals the domain itself may already be flagged or associated with manipulative link patterns.
A spam score isn’t a Google metric, it’s a third-party estimate based on characteristics common to penalized sites: thin content, aggressive outbound linking, low-quality backlink profiles of its own. Treat a high score as a reason to dig deeper, not an automatic disqualifier. Some legitimate sites score higher than expected due to factors unrelated to actual spam. Before publishing on any Web 2.0 property or third-party site, check whether the specific page or subdomain you’re using has a history of manipulation. Don’t just check the parent platform’s overall reputation, since a trusted platform like Medium or Blogger can still host individual pages that carry their own risk.
Final Thoughts
Web 2.0 backlink sites still have a place in a real link building strategy. A genuine profile with real content and a natural link is a small, legitimate asset, and the 44 platforms above cover publishing, portfolio, developer, site-builder, document, and community categories in real depth. A network of throwaway pages built to feed a tiered link structure is the exact pattern Google’s current spam policies were built to catch, no matter which high-DA sites host it. Build fewer properties, make each one genuinely worth having, and verify link attributes yourself rather than trusting a static list, including this one.
FAQs
Are Web 2.0 backlinks still effective in 2026?
Genuine Web 2.0 properties, a real profile or syndicated content with a natural link, still have narrow value for brand presence and link diversity. Web 2.0 pages built purely to form a tiered link network carry real risk under Google’s site reputation abuse and scaled content abuse policies, and that risk has increased as detection has improved.
How many Web 2.0 backlinks should I build?
There’s no target number worth chasing. A handful of genuine, well-built properties on platforms that fit your niche outperforms dozens of thin, near-identical pages built purely for link volume, both for value and for risk.
Do Web 2.0 sites count as PBNs?
Not by default, the platforms themselves are legitimate. A network of Web 2.0 properties built specifically to pass link equity through a tiered structure functions the same way a PBN does, even though it uses trusted platforms instead of privately-owned domains.
What’s the difference between Web 2.0 links and guest posts?
A Web 2.0 property is a page you control directly on someone else’s platform. A guest post is content placed on an independently-owned site with its own editorial review. Guest posts generally carry more link value because a genuine third party chose to publish it, not just you.
Which Web 2.0 sites are actually dofollow in 2026?
It varies by platform and changes without notice, so any static answer risks being wrong by the time you read it. GitHub Pages, GitLab Pages, Write.as, Pen.io, and the legacy site builders like Tripod and Bravenet have historically defaulted to follow links. Medium is confirmed nofollow. Everything else in the moderate-to-high authority tier should be checked directly before you rely on it.
