{
  "id": 13283141,
  "title": "Is your launch-site backlink actually dofollow? I checked 24 platforms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/is-your-launch-site-backlink-actually-dofollow-i-checked-24-platforms",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-10T01:15:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/codelong888/is-your-launch-site-backlink-actually-dofollow-i-checked-24-platforms-1jb7"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The article examines the rel attribute of links from 24 launch and directory sites on October 10, 2026. Out of 24 sites, 13 offered followed links, 9 provided nofollow links, and one used rel=ugc (Product Hunt). Conditions attached to dofollow links included paying, winning a free tier, or linking back. This means that a \"free dofollow backlink\" is often contingent on winning, paying, or linking back. The article suggests checking your own listing for nofollow or ugc rel attributes to confirm the link's follow status.",
  "summary": "Every launch site promises you a backlink. Fewer of them say what kind. I wanted to know what you actually get, so on 10 October 2026 I opened a live listing page on 24 launch and directory sites and read the rel attribute on the link that points at the listed product. Nothing fancy, just the HTML the server sends. Disclosure up front: I run yourhack.ai , which is one of the sites in the…",
  "key_points": [
    "24 launch and directory sites examined on October 10, 2026",
    "13 sites offered followed (dofollow) links",
    "9 sites provided nofollow links, 1 used rel=ugc"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The findings suggest that securing a free dofollow backlink from launch sites is often conditional, typically requiring payment, reciprocal linking, or winning a promotional tier.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}