Quick answer: A free IndieTools product listing links to the product website with a nofollow attribute. IndieTools currently offers a separate, one-time Permanent Followed Backlink option that removes nofollow from the product-page destination link. Featured is a different product: it buys 30 days of labelled visibility and does not change organic directory rank or the link treatment a listing already has. None of these options guarantees crawling, indexing, rankings, traffic, or sales.
The first purpose of a product link is to help a visitor verify and reach the official product. Search engines independently decide whether and how to crawl, index, and evaluate that link.
Current IndieTools link model
| IndieTools surface or option | Current treatment | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Free product listing | External product link uses nofollow |
Permanent product discovery |
| Permanent Followed Backlink | Removes nofollow from the product-page link |
Permanent ordinary followed link |
| Featured placement | Keeps the listing's existing link treatment | Labelled visibility for 30 days |
| Editorial blog citation | Determined by the article and relationship | Help readers reach a relevant source |
| Founder social link | May be qualified according to platform policy | Identity and profile verification |
Commercial availability and implementation can change. Use the current pricing page as the source of truth.
What “dofollow” means
There is no rel="dofollow" HTML attribute. The industry uses “dofollow” to describe an ordinary link without nofollow, sponsored, or ugc qualification.
An ordinary link looks like this:
<a href="https://example.com">Visit product</a>
A nofollow link looks like this:
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Visit product</a>
Both links remain clickable. The difference is the relationship signal supplied to search engines.
For the wider technical explanation, read dofollow vs nofollow backlinks for SaaS founders.
Links from free listings
An approved free listing creates a permanent product page inside the IndieTools directory. The page can still support:
- referral visits;
- branded discovery;
- category and related-product browsing;
- founder attribution;
- a consistent third-party product reference;
- user verification of the official destination.
The external destination uses nofollow. That attribute does not stop users from clicking, and it does not make the listing invisible to search engines. It tells search systems how the publisher qualifies the outbound relationship.
Permanent Followed Backlink
The Permanent Followed Backlink is currently a separate one-time option. It changes the external link on the product page from nofollow to an ordinary followed link. It does not:
- move the product higher in the directory;
- buy a category position;
- include Featured placement automatically;
- guarantee a Domain Rating increase;
- guarantee indexing or a ranking change;
- guarantee referral traffic or customers.
The product listing must exist before its link treatment can be changed. If a Featured campaign later ends, a separately purchased permanent link remains according to the current product terms.
Important search-policy note
Google recommends marking links created as part of advertisements, sponsorships, or other compensation with rel="sponsored" or nofollow. A paid ordinary followed link may therefore conflict with Google's outbound-link guidance, even when no ranking result is promised.
Founders should evaluate this policy risk independently rather than buying any link solely to manipulate search rankings. IndieTools describes the implementation but cannot control how Google or another search engine interprets it.
Review Google's outbound-link qualification guidance before making a decision.
Featured placement is separate
Featured is designed for visibility, not link qualification. It can place a product across selected IndieTools discovery surfaces for 30 days. Featured placements are labelled, limited in availability, and measured through campaign impressions and clicks under the current model.
Featured does not:
- change organic directory ranking;
- turn a nofollow link into a followed link;
- bundle a permanent backlink automatically;
- guarantee a particular number of impressions, clicks, or customers.
If a free listing is Featured, its external link remains nofollow. If the product already has the Permanent Followed Backlink, that link remains followed during and after the campaign.
Read IndieTools visibility options compared for the full distinction.
Editorial links are a different relationship
An article may cite products, documentation, research, or official sources because they help answer the reader's question. Editorial selection should be based on relevance and evidence, not on whether a listing purchased another product.
When an article itself is sponsored or paid for, the commercial relationship should be disclosed and link treatment should follow applicable search policies. A paid listing should never silently buy a positive review.
What a backlink can realistically do
A relevant link may:
- help a person discover the destination;
- send measurable referral traffic;
- help crawlers find a page;
- reinforce consistent product and brand identity;
- contribute to a broader link profile.
It cannot independently guarantee:
- indexing;
- a specific keyword position;
- higher third-party authority metrics;
- qualified users;
- conversions;
- protection from algorithm changes.
Evaluate the complete page, audience, context, permanence, and referral value—not only the presence or absence of one HTML attribute.
How to measure an IndieTools link
Use analytics and Search Console to measure:
- referral sessions from IndieTools;
- product-page to official-site click-through rate;
- engaged visits and activation;
- assisted conversions;
- branded search changes;
- link discovery in search tools;
- the date and cost of any purchased option.
Do not infer success from Domain Rating alone. DR is a third-party metric and not a Google ranking factor. See what Domain Rating means.
Make the listing worth visiting
Link treatment cannot repair a weak destination. Before promoting a listing:
- write a clear product tagline;
- select the correct category;
- explain features and audience accurately;
- connect the correct founder;
- add current visuals and pricing information;
- test the official product URL;
- measure what visitors do after clicking.
Use how to optimize an IndieTools listing.
Frequently asked questions
Does a free IndieTools listing include a followed link?
No. Under the current pricing model, the product destination on a free listing uses nofollow.
Does Featured include the Permanent Followed Backlink?
No. They are separate options. Featured purchases labelled distribution for 30 days; the Permanent Followed Backlink changes the product-page link.
Will a followed IndieTools link improve rankings?
IndieTools does not and cannot guarantee that. Search engines evaluate many signals and may ignore or reinterpret any individual link.
Is a nofollow link useless?
No. It remains clickable and can send visitors, support discovery, verify the official product, and connect the product to a relevant directory page.
Can paying improve organic position inside IndieTools?
No. IndieTools states that organic directory ranking cannot be bought. Paid placements are labelled separately.
Where can I see current availability?
Check IndieTools pricing for the current options, campaign availability, and terms.
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