> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uxbrite.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Directories & Backlinks
> Find the right directories for your business, generate AI-personalized outreach, and track every backlink from submission to approval.
## Overview
Directory submissions are one of the fastest ways to build domain authority and establish your business in search. GTM Suite automates the hardest parts — matching you to relevant directories, writing the outreach email, and tracking every submission through to a live backlink.
Go to **SEO → Directories & Backlinks** to get started.
***
## Stats Dashboard
The top of the page shows a live summary of your backlink pipeline:
| Stat | Description |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **To Contact** | Directories identified but not yet approached |
| **Pending** | Submissions awaiting directory approval |
| **Approved** | Submissions accepted with a live backlink |
| **Avg Relevance** | Average match score across your directory pipeline |
| **Estimated DA Boost** | Projected domain authority increase from approvals |
| **Success Rate** | Percentage of submissions that were approved |
***
## How Directory Matching Works
The GTM Suite builds a **business profile** from your workspace data — pulling from your ICP, brand kit, website URL, and industry — and uses it to score every directory in the database for relevance. The result is a ranked list where each directory gets a **match score** from 0 to 100.
Directories with a match score of **80 or above** appear in the **Recommended For You** section at the top of the page.
You can click **Business Profile** at any time to see exactly what GTM Suite knows about your business and what it's using to generate matches and outreach.
***
## Browsing Directories
### Recommended For You
Shows only high-relevance directories (match score ≥ 80). This is the best place to start — these are the listings most likely to drive meaningful authority and traffic for your specific business.
### All Directories Tab
The full directory database with search and filter options:
* **Search** — Filter by directory name in real time
* **Category** — Narrow to a specific industry or content category
* **Sort by** — Match Score, Domain Authority, Response Rate, or Name
* **Sort direction** — Ascending or descending
**Each directory card shows:**
| Field | Description |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Name** | Directory name and logo (if available) |
| **Domain Authority** | DA score of the linking domain |
| **Match Score** | Relevance to your business (0–100, color-coded) |
| **Category** | Industry or niche classification |
| **Region** | Geographic focus (e.g. US, Global, UK) |
| **SEO Impact** | High / Medium / Low expected impact |
| **Submission Type** | Email, Form, or API |
| **Response Rate** | Historical approval percentage |
| **Avg Response Time** | Typical days to receive a response |
***
## Submitting to a Directory
### Step 1: Review Requirements
Click **View Requirements** on any directory card to see what the directory asks for — form fields, content requirements, eligibility criteria — before you start an application.
### Step 2: Generate an Outreach Message
Click **Generate Outreach Message**. GTM Suite writes a personalized email subject and body using:
* Your business name, industry, and location
* Your website URL and unique selling points
* The directory's specific focus area and geographic region
The generated message appears in a dialog where you can read it, edit it, or regenerate it before sending.
Messages are cached per directory — clicking Generate again shows the saved draft rather than re-generating, so your edits are preserved.
### Step 3: Send or Save
From the outreach dialog:
* **Send Message (If Not A Form Submission)** — Records a **Pending** submission and marks the directory as approached - note: this will open a mail client with your email and the content in the email.
* **Save for Later** — Saves the message as a **Draft** submission so you can return to it
* **Personal Responsiblity - Note:** Our system doesn't automatically send emails to these directories - we help you craft the message and prepare you for requirements but it is still your responsiblity to submit to those directories. Often directories have a form entry and/or payment associated for entry - be aware of these costs and which platforms you select.
### Step 4: Mark as Submitted (Manual)
If you submitted directly via a web form (rather than email), click **Mark as Submitted** on the directory card to create a Pending submission record without sending an email.
***
## Managing Submissions
Go to the **Submissions tab** to see all directories you've engaged with.
### Submission Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Draft** | Outreach message saved but not yet sent |
| **Pending** | Submitted — awaiting directory response |
| **Approved** | Accepted — backlink is live or being set up |
| **Rejected** | Not accepted by the directory |
### Filter by Status
Use the status filter dropdown to view All, Draft, Pending, Approved, or Rejected submissions.
### Approving a Submission
When a directory accepts your listing:
1. Find the submission in the Pending list
2. Click **Approve**
3. Enter the **Backlink URL** — the live URL where your link appears
4. Click **Confirm** — the submission moves to Approved and a backlink record is created
### Rejecting or Deleting
* **Reject** — Mark a submission as rejected (preserves the record for reference)
* **Delete** — Permanently remove the submission
***
## Tracking Backlinks
Go to the **Backlinks tab** to see all live approved backlinks and their current health.
| Column | Description |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Directory** | Source directory name |
| **URL** | The live backlink URL |
| **Anchor Text** | Link text used by the directory |
| **Domain Authority** | DA score of the linking domain |
| **First Seen** | Date the backlink was first recorded |
| **Last Checked** | Date of the most recent health check |
| **Status** | Live (green), Broken (red), or Pending (yellow) |
Click **Refresh Backlink Status** to re-check all links immediately. Broken links should be investigated — the directory may have removed or updated your listing.
***
## Adding a Custom Directory
If a directory isn't in the GTM Suite database, you can add it manually. Click **Add Custom Directory** and fill in:
* Name, URL, and signup/application link
* Contact email and domain authority
* Category, region, and submission type (Email, Form, or API)
* Required form fields, submission price, and requirements
* Historical response rate and average response time
Custom directories behave exactly like standard ones — you can generate outreach, track submissions, and record approvals.
***
## AI Submission Suggestions
For some directories, GTM Suite can auto-fill submission form fields based on your business profile. When available, a suggestion job runs asynchronously in the background and pre-populates the required fields — saving you the time of filling out each directory's application manually.
Progress is tracked in real time. A notification appears when suggestions are ready to review.
***
## Troubleshooting
**No directories appearing in Recommended For You**
* Ensure your workspace has a completed ICP profile and brand kit — these are used to calculate match scores
* Check that your website URL is set in your workspace settings
**Outreach message doesn't match my business**
* Update your ICP or brand kit if the information is outdated, then regenerate the message
**A backlink shows as Broken**
* Visit the backlink URL directly to confirm whether it's actually down
* Contact the directory to request reinstatement, then update the submission status accordingly
**I submitted via web form — how do I track it?**
* Click **Mark as Submitted** on the directory card to create a Pending record manually
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