Free Canadian Backlinks and Listings

Government and procurement

• CanadaBuys (federal supplier registration). A free account gets you tender alerts and lets you bid. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier
• Corporations Canada (federal corporation search). A government record with your business name on it, the kind of trusted source search engines and AI answers can check you against (Automatic for federally incorporated companies)
• Indigenous Business Directory (Indigenous Services Canada). A verified supplier directory that corporate and government buyers search (Yes, if eligible)
• OrgBook BC (BC Registries). A government record with your business name on it, the kind of trusted source search engines and AI answers can check you against (Automatic for BC-registered organisations)
• Registraire des entreprises du Quebec (Quebec enterprise register). A government record with your business name on it, the kind of trusted source search engines and AI answers can check you against (Yes (public search is free))
• Ontario Business Registry (public search). A government record with your business name on it, the kind of trusted source search engines and AI answers can check you against (Automatic for Ontario-registered businesses (basic search is free))
• BC Bid (British Columbia). A free account gets you tender alerts. Bidding online through the portal costs $150 a year. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier (Yes (e-bidding is a paid add-on))
• Alberta Purchasing Connection. A free account gets you tender alerts and lets you bid. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier
• Ontario Tenders Portal. A free account gets you tender alerts and lets you bid. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier
• SEAO (Quebec). A free account gets you tender alerts and lets you bid. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier (Yes (paid subscription optional))
• SaskTenders (Saskatchewan). A free account gets you tender alerts and lets you bid. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier
• Nova Scotia Procurement Portal. A free account gets you tender alerts and lets you bid. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier
• New Brunswick Opportunities Network (NBON). A free account gets you tender alerts and lets you bid. The public government record comes when you win: contract notices name the supplier

The non-negotiables (do these first)

• Google Business Profile. The listing behind Google Maps, the local pack and Google's AI answers for local searches. Free (Google says listing on Google is free)
• Bing Places for Business. Bing powers Copilot and is widely reported to feed ChatGPT search, so this listing is an AI lever as much as a Bing one
• Apple Business (formerly Apple Business Connect). Controls how you appear in Apple Maps, Siri and Spotlight, which is where iPhone users and Apple's assistant look you up
• LinkedIn Company Page. A company record AI tools read for who you are and who works there

Canadian directories and citations

• Yellow Pages Canada (also Canada411, 411.ca and Pages Jaunes). Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches (Yes (free tier))
• Yelp (Canada). Third-party reviews are the kind of outside proof AI answers tend to draw on when they compare businesses (Yes (free tier))
• Hotfrog Canada. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches
• n49. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches (Yes (free tier))
• Fyple Canada. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches
• Brownbook. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches
• Cylex Canada. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches (Yes (free tier))
• Infobel Canada. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches (Yes (free tier))
• Alignable. Confirms your brand exists on a well-known platform. Small direct value; only worth it if you fill it in properly (Yes (free tier))
• Facebook Page. Confirms your brand exists on a well-known platform. Small direct value; only worth it if you fill it in properly
• Nextdoor Business Page. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches
• Houzz (Canadian pros). An industry-specific listing, the kind AI answers use when someone asks for a provider in that trade or niche (Yes (free plan))
• Kompass Canada. Another copy of your name, address and phone that search engines and AI tools can cross-check. Low on its own, useful when every listing matches (Yes (free tier))
• Made in CA. Puts you on a list of Canadian-made businesses, which is where people look when they want to buy Canadian (Yes (free queue; optional $50 rush))
• Made In Canada Directory (madeincanadadirectory.ca). Puts you on a list of Canadian-made businesses, which is where people look when they want to buy Canadian
• Wikidata. The open database behind Wikipedia infoboxes and many knowledge panels; AI tools use it to identify entities. Only if you meet its notability rules (Yes (only for notable entities))
• Google Merchant Center (free listings). Makes your products eligible to show in free shopping results, which AI shopping features draw on. Eligible, not guaranteed: Google says free listings don't guarantee your products are shown
• Microsoft Merchant Center (free product listings). Makes your products eligible for free shopping results that AI shopping features draw on. Eligible, not guaranteed
• YouTube channel. AI tools often cite YouTube videos. A channel with your site linked is the start

Chambers and associations

• Black Business Direct (Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce). A directory run by a recognised business organisation: another trusted place that confirms who you are and who you serve
• BBI Directory (Black Business Initiative, Atlantic Canada). A directory run by a recognised business organisation: another trusted place that confirms who you are and who you serve (Free status unconfirmed (no fee on the form))
• Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Indigenous Business Directory. A directory run by a recognised business organisation: another trusted place that confirms who you are and who you serve (Free status unconfirmed (no fee on the form))

PR and editorial

• Qwoted. Earns quotes and mentions in real publications: other people vouching for you, which is what AI answers lean on (Yes (free tier))
• Featured. Earns quotes and mentions in real publications: other people vouching for you, which is what AI answers lean on (Yes (free tier))
• HARO (Help a Reporter Out). Earns quotes and mentions in real publications: other people vouching for you, which is what AI answers lean on
• Source of Sources (SOS). Earns quotes and mentions in real publications: other people vouching for you, which is what AI answers lean on
• MentionMatch (was Help a B2B Writer). Earns quotes and mentions in real publications: other people vouching for you, which is what AI answers lean on
• SourceBottle. Earns quotes and mentions in real publications: other people vouching for you, which is what AI answers lean on (Yes (free tier))
• Futurpreneur Canada success stories. Earned only: a client success story written about you, not a listing you sign up for (Earned only (no sign-up))
• BDC client testimonials (Business Development Bank of Canada). Earned only: a client success story written about you, not a listing you sign up for (Earned only (no sign-up))

Startup and tech

• Crunchbase. A company record AI tools often cite for founding date, founders and funding
• Product Hunt. A startup profile on a platform AI tools read when someone asks about new tools or companies
• Wellfound. A startup profile on a platform AI tools read when someone asks about new tools or companies
• F6S. A startup profile on a platform AI tools read when someone asks about new tools or companies
• Indie Hackers. A startup profile on a platform AI tools read when someone asks about new tools or companies
• Clutch. Often cited by AI answers for "best agency" questions (Yes (free profile; paid upgrades))
• GoodFirms. Agency and service directories are commonly cited when someone asks AI for the best provider in a category (Yes (free profile; paid Pro))
• G2. Often cited by AI answers for "best software" questions (Yes (free plan))
• Capterra (Canada site). Software review sites are among the pages AI tools commonly cite when someone asks "best X software" (Yes (free Launch plan))
• AlternativeTo. Software review sites are among the pages AI tools commonly cite when someone asks "best X software" (Yes (free queue; optional paid priority review))

Reviews and trust

• Better Business Bureau Canada (free Business Profile). Third-party reviews are the kind of outside proof AI answers tend to draw on when they compare businesses (Yes (accreditation is paid))
• Trustpilot. Trustpilot now sells itself on AI visibility; its review pages are often cited when AI compares businesses (Yes (free plan))
• HomeStars. Third-party reviews are the kind of outside proof AI answers tend to draw on when they compare businesses (Yes (free Basic profile))
• Sitejabber (now SmartCustomer). Third-party reviews are the kind of outside proof AI answers tend to draw on when they compare businesses (Yes (free profile))

Data aggregators

• OpenStreetMap. A data aggregator: one submission feeds many downstream apps, maps and directories
• HERE Map Creator. HERE maps sit behind many car navigation systems and apps; one more place your business details should be right
• TomTom MapShare Reporter. TomTom map data feeds sat navs and apps; one more map to get right
• D-U-N-S Number (Dun & Bradstreet Canada). Feeds the facts search engines and AI assistants use to work out who your business is

Paid, but worth knowing about

Not free, so they're not in the main list. Only worth it if they fit what you do.

• Local chamber of commerce or board of trade membership. A member-directory link from a trusted local body that ties you to a place. Check the link on a member's page before joining (Paid membership, varies by chamber (one small-town example: $100 to $750 a year))
• BBB Accreditation (Canada). Adds the BBB seal and accredited-only search filters. Buy it for trust with buyers, not for the link (Annual dues, set by your local BBB)
• CCIB Certified Indigenous Business (formerly CCAB). The main national Indigenous business certification and directory, recognised by corporate and government buyers ($350 a year (20 employees or fewer); $1,000 a year (21 or more))
• CAMSC supplier certification. Certified Indigenous and minority-owned suppliers appear in the CAMSC directory corporate buyers use ($295 admin fee plus $350 to $750 a year by revenue)
• WBE Canada certification. Certified women-owned businesses are shown to corporate and government buyers ($750 a year plus tax)
• WEConnect International (Canada). Global recognition for women-owned suppliers, including with large Canadian and US buyers (Fee set by annual revenue band)
• Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (formerly CGLCC) certification. Gets certified 2SLGBTQI+ owned businesses in front of corporate and government buyers (Paid certification (price not confirmed; check the site))
• IWSCC certification. Certifies disabled-owned and veteran-owned businesses for corporate and public sector buyers ($500 a year (no cost to apply; paid after approval))
• Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC). Membership includes a business directory listing and a website badge ($99 or $150 plus tax a year)
• Sources.com. A long-standing Canadian directory journalists use to find experts. Free alternatives are Qwoted, Featured and HARO (From $349 a year for organisations, $288 for individuals)
• Newswire.ca. Puts a release on a recognised Canadian newswire and into news databases. Only for real news (Per release, quote-based)
• BuyCanadian.ca. Canadian-owned business directory with a plain, followed website link ($9.95 one-time; $14.95 or $29.95 a month for bigger plans)
• MERX. Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador tenders run through MERX. Only if you genuinely supply those governments; there is no public supplier profile (Paid subscription (price not shown without logging in))