Built in Chicago
Overview
DR updated Sep 8, 2026Built in Chicago is media, not a directory — you need a genuine news angle or launch story, not a form submission. (nofollow listing, free to submit, hard approval bar, DR 70 authority)
Built in Chicago is free to list on, gives a nofollow link, and is best used for launch & referral traffic — with a high domain rating of 72.
- best for
- Launch & referral traffic
- strengths
- Press credibilityInvestor visibilityLaunch narrative
- audience
- Tech press readers & industry watchers
- fit
- Built in Chicago is a good fit for SaaS products, b2b, AI tools. Audience: Tech press readers & industry watchers.
- watch out
- Editorial gatekeeping — pitch a story, don’t expect guaranteed placement
- expect
- TrafficSEO
How to submit
- 01Open the site
builtinchicago.org in a new tab.
- 02Find the submit flow
Look for “Submit”, “Add product” or “List your startup” in the nav or footer.
- 03Fill in your listing
Name, tagline, description, URL, logo, screenshots. The Chrome extension fills these in one click.
- 04Pick the right category
Choose Tech / Startups or the closest fit so you reach the right audience.
- 05Submit and wait
Free listings are usually reviewed by hand — expect days to a few weeks.
SEO notes
Topical relevance matters: Tech / Startups directories help most when your product fits that category. Nofollow links still drive referral traffic and brand visibility.
Similar directories
| # | directory | DR | link | price | verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | Geek Wire best for launch & referral traffic · geekwire.com | 86 | Dofollow | Paid | WORTH IT |
| 97 | Betakit best for launch & referral traffic · betakit.com | 78 | Dofollow | Paid | RECOMMENDED |
| 10 | TechCrunch best for launch & referral traffic · techcrunch.com | 92 | Nofollow | Paid | TOP PICK |
| 56 | Yourstory best for launch & referral traffic · yourstory.com | 85 | Nofollow | Paid | WORTH IT |
| 80 | e27 best for launch & referral traffic · e27.co | 77 | Nofollow | Free | RECOMMENDED |
| 98 | Digg best for launch & referral traffic · digg.com | 92 | Nofollow | Free | RECOMMENDED |
FAQ
Is Built in Chicago worth submitting to?
Built in Chicago is media, not a directory — you need a genuine news angle or launch story, not a form submission. (nofollow listing, free to submit, hard approval bar, DR 70 authority)
Does Built in Chicago give a dofollow or nofollow link?
Built in Chicago provides a nofollow link. It won't pass direct link equity, but it still drives referral traffic and helps brand discovery.
Is Built in Chicago free?
Yes — Built in Chicago offers a free way to get listed. Free listings are often reviewed manually, so approval can take from a few days to a few weeks.
What is Built in Chicago's domain rating (DR)?
Built in Chicago (builtinchicago.org) currently has a domain rating of 72 on Ahrefs' 0–100 scale — a high score. Higher DR generally means a stronger backlink profile, which is one signal of how much weight a link from the site may carry.
What should I watch out for with Built in Chicago?
Editorial gatekeeping — pitch a story, don’t expect guaranteed placement