Using Forums for Backlinks to Increase Backlinks [List 30+ Options]

Backlinks for SEO have always been a cornerstone of solid web promotion. That much hasn’t changed. But what has changed is how smart you need to be to build them effectively.

At Buylinkco.com, we’ve spent years testing different strategies to boost organic visibility. We found that one surprisingly overlooked method still delivers results if you use it correctly. This method is using forum backlinks, specifically from DoFollow forums.

When used correctly, these are some of the best free sites for backlinks. It’s a great answer to the question of how to get backlinks for blog posts. When you do it right, you see the power of forum backlinks in SEO.

What forums are actually good for

If you stop obsessing over “link juice’, you’ll see the real benefits of backlinks from forums:

1. Traffic from people who actually care. 
2. Become the go-to expert. 
3. Free market research.
4. Build real trust (social proof). 

So… what exactly is a dofollow backlink?

You’ve probably heard the term a hundred times, but let’s clarify it.

A DoFollow backlink is a link that search engines follow. In technical terms, it’s simply a hyperlink that doesn’t have the rel=”nofollow” tag. This means the link passes along what SEOs call “link juice”. This is the authority or trust that boosts a page’s ranking, which is one of the main benefits of backlinks for SEO.

If you want to climb the SERPs by building backlinks, these are the links that count.

Why we still use dofollow forums (and why you should too)

We get it — forums sound old-school. But here’s why we keep them in our link-building toolkit for getting strategic backlinks on forums:

• Better rankings. A few strategic DoFollow links from niche-relevant forums helps move the needle. Engaged communities remain a powerful source for forum backlinks SEO.
• Targeted referral traffic. People who browse threads are often actively looking for solutions. If your link helps them, they’ll click.
• Authority building. When you participate regularly, you position your brand (or personal profile) as trustworthy.

DoFollow forums to check out

Before you explore this forum backlinks list, a quick heads-up: 

⚠️ Forum policies often change. A DoFollow link today might become nofollow tomorrow. We recommend you double-check each of these forum posting sites before you dive in. 

Here is our forum backlinks list of some famous forum sites and free sites for backlinks:

1. Audacity Forum
2. Black Hat World  
3. Business Advice Forum
4. Cheftalk Forum
5. DeviantArt
6. Digital Point Forum
7. FileZilla Forum
8. GardenWeb
9. Geeklog Forums
10. Geek Village Forum
11. GitHub Discussions
12. Hacker News
13. Indie Hackers
14. Joomla Forum
15. LumberJocks
16. Microsoft Community Hub
17. Moz Community
18. MyGame Builder Forum
19. MySQL Community Forum
20. PhpBB Forum
21. Ravelry
22. SEOChat Forum
23. Shopify Community
24. Site Point Forum
25. Stack Overflow
26. The Fastlane Forum
27. Ubuntu Forums
28. Warrior Forum
29. Web Hosting Talk
30. WoodWeb
31. XDA Developers Forum

Need a reliable partner to handle your link-building strategy? Buylinkco offers tailored outreach and high-quality backlink services.

Tips from our team: how to do forum backlinks SEO without looking like a spammer

This is where a lot of people trip up. They treat forums like a dumping ground for links. That’s not how you get results.

Here’s how we do it at Buylinkco.com:

• Contribute, don’t just comment. In a discussion forum, if you’re not adding value, your link means nothing. Help someone solve a problem. Answer a question. Share an experience.
• Respect the rules. Every discussion forum is different. Some let you link in comments, while others only allow forum profile backlinks in your signature. If you break the rules, moderators will ban you.
• Keep your signature clean. If the forum allows it, include your link, but make it subtle. Think “curated”, not “promotional”.
• Be consistent. One-off posts don’t work. Real value comes from regular interaction over time.

How to avoid the sketchy parts of the internet

Wasting time on spammy, dead forum posting sites is worse than doing nothing at all. It can hurt your reputation and even get you penalized.

Red flags of a bad forum:

1. It’s a ghost town with no new posts.
2. It’s covered in spam and aggressive ads.  
3. The posts are all generic junk like “Great post!”
4. Everyone’s signature is stuffed with spammy-looking links.  

You’ll see ads on freelance sites promising hundreds of forum links for $50. Run away. These are almost always automated spam services that will get your site penalized by Google. It’s the fastest way to destroy your SEO.  

Final thoughts from the Buylinkco team

Forum backlinks aren’t about shortcuts. They’re about showing up, sharing knowledge, and joining conversations where your audience already hangs out. And when you do it right? The backlinks on forums, the traffic, and the trust will follow naturally.

So yes, we still believe in DoFollow forums. But not as a hack — as a long-term strategy. One that rewards those who focus on quality, relevance, and real connection.

Are you looking to level up your link strategy with sustainable, white-hat methods? You are in the right place. Welcome to Buylinkco.com — we earn backlinks, we don’t dump them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get penalized by Google for building forum backlinks?

Unfortunately, yes, if you do it wrong. Spamming forums with irrelevant, keyword-stuffed links is a classic “black hat” tactic that can get your site penalized or even removed from search results.

How much time should I actually spend on forums? 

Consistency is more important than intensity. Instead of blasting 50 forums in one day, aim to become a trusted, regular contributor in just one or two communities that are highly relevant to your audience.  

Should I use Reddit or Quora?

It depends on your goal. Reddit is amazing for community-building and real-time conversation. Quora is better for writing detailed, expert answers that can rank on Google for years and drive long-term traffic. Both are great but function differently than a standard social media backlinks list.

What if I can’t find a forum for my niche?

First, try broadening your search to related industries. Second, check if major brands in your niche run their own communities. Finally, platforms like Reddit and Quora have a subreddit or a topic for just about everything you can imagine. They are not a typical social media backlinks list, but they offer similar opportunities.