How Backlink Verification Works

The free Basic Launch requires a backlink to launchit.fast on your website. During review, an automated checker visits your site and looks for it. This page explains what it does, so there are no surprises.

Where we look

The checker fetches your homepage first, since most backlinks live in the footer. If it finds nothing there, it also tries the pages where founders typically keep link lists: /partners, /friends, /about, /links, /resources, /credits, /sponsors, /featured-on, /press, and /tools.

What counts as a backlink

• A link to launchit.fast. Any <a> whose destination is launchit.fast, including links to your own tool page. Anchor text does not matter.
• A badge. One of our badges embedded with its link counts, and the checker recognizes it as a badge. A badge image without the wrapping link is detected too, but a linked badge is what you want.
• Dofollow is checked. The checker reads the rel attribute and reports whether your link is nofollow. A nofollow link passes no authority, so leave the attribute off.

Common issues

• JavaScript-rendered footers. The checker reads the HTML your server sends. If your footer is injected client-side (some no-code builders do this), the link may not be visible to it. These cases are flagged for manual review, not rejected.
• Bot blocking. If your site returns 403 or 429 to automated requests, the checker marks it unreachable and a human checks manually. You are never auto-rejected because of a firewall.
• Link added after submitting. The check runs during review, so adding the link right after you submit is fine. Adding it before is safer.

Passing on the first try

• Put the badge in your site footer, so it renders on the homepage HTML.
• Do not add rel="nofollow" to the link.
• If your footer is JavaScript-only, add a plain HTML link on your /about or /links page instead.
• Prefer not to link at all? The Premium Launch has no backlink requirement.