Why links still matter (mechanically)
Google's ranking system is still anchored on PageRank-style link authority for any query where intent isn't obviously informational. For "best AI coding tool" or "alternatives to X", links from authoritative domains are still a top-3 ranking factor.
Do-follow vs nofollow
Nofollow links pass much less authority and aren't reliably counted by Google's ranking systems. A do-follow backlink from a category-aligned directory (like a startup directory linking to a startup's site) tells Google's algorithm that the linked site is endorsed by that directory's domain.
How AI surfaces change the picture
ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity all cite sources when they generate answers. The sites they cite most often are those with strong backlink profiles AND structured data (JSON-LD, llms.txt). Backlinks build authority; structured data makes the page citable. You need both.
The minimum viable backlink stack for a new startup
- 3–5 do-follow directory listings in your niche
- 1 Product Hunt launch (do-follow on the product page)
- An embeddable badge that customers can put on their own sites
- Guest posts on 2–3 vertical blogs (do-follow attribution)
- Schema.org JSON-LD on every public page
Bottom line
Don't pay £49 for a do-follow link as a one-shot bet. Pay £49 for it as one node in a 10-node backlink graph that compounds over six months. That's where the math works.