# Index: A Directory for Startups & Tools by Dodo Payments > Learn how Dodo Payments Index helps startups and indie hackers get discovered, earn quality backlinks, and drive SEO growth through curated tool listings. - **Author**: Joshua D'costa - **Published**: 2025-10-22 - **Category**: Tools - **URL**: https://dodopayments.com/blogs/dodo-payments-index --- Dodo Payments is proud to launch [**Index**](https://index.dodopayments.com/), a directory of startups, [indie-hacker projects](https://dodopayments.com/blogs/indie-hacker-tools), and SaaS/AI tools. Index is built to give founders distribution and visibility, not just a listing. By joining Index, builders gain exposure across Dodo Payments' network and earn valuable SEO benefits. This initiative aligns with Dodo Payments mission of empowering solopreneurs and indie hackers to grow without barriers. ## Why List on Index? Index offers clear benefits for product creators. Each listing comes with: > As a solo founder, every hour you spend on compliance paperwork is an hour you are not spending on the product. The best payment setup for indie hackers is the one that requires zero ongoing maintenance. > > \- Ayush Agarwal, Co-founder & CPTO at Dodo Payments - **Discovery on Dodo Payments' platform:** We feature your tool across our site, documentation, newsletters, and social channels. This means more organic traffic and brand awareness, after all, a good backlink profile directly impacts growth, through more traffic and credibility. - **Priority features for Dodo Payments customers:** Builders already using Dodo Payments get extra perks. We prioritize those projects in our Index spotlight, helping them stand out faster. - **Backlink Opportunity :** Your project link from Dodo Payments' site passes valuable link equity and trust. We believe in the motto "If you grow, we grow." listing your tool, you tap into Dodo Payments' ecosystem and [SEO strength](https://dodopayments.com/blogs/seo-for-saas-strategies-maximize-organic-traffic), a win-win for growth. ## How to list on Index Getting started is easy and free. Dodo's team verifies every submission to keep quality high, then shines a spotlight on your project. Here's how it works: 1. **Submit your product.** Go to [index.dodopayments.com](http://index.dodopayments.com/) and fill out a brief listing form. Provide your tool's name, description, and website. 2. **We verify the listing.** Our team reviews submissions to ensure they meet quality standards (remember, we only list useful, high-quality tools). This keeps the Index valuable for everyone. 3. **We spotlight and send you traffic.** Approved projects get featured in our directory and on Dodo Payments' channels. Enjoy increased referrals and discoverability as we share your tool with our audience. This process means your listing isn't lost in the crowd. Instead, it's curated by a team that wants you to succeed. ## Discover alternatives and browse by your needs Index helps you discover the right tools and alternatives quickly. [The Alternatives page](https://index.dodopayments.com/alternatives) surfaces similar SaaS and AI tools so you can compare options and find the best fit. You can browse and filter listings by practical dimensions, including: - **Categories & Latest Tools:** Recent launches or tools grouped by functionality. - **Open-source & Deployment:** Open-source projects or by deployment model (self-hosted, cloud). - **Industry & Use Case:** Tools tailored to your vertical (payments, analytics, marketing, etc.). - **Product Type & Technologies:** Search by product type (SDK, widget, full platform) or underlying tech. - **Payment Stack & Monetization:** Tools that integrate with payment providers or support specific monetization models (usage-based, subscriptions, one-time). - **Tags & Search:** Use tags and keyword search to quickly narrow results to exactly what you need. This browsing experience makes Index a discovery engine for founders and builders. Whether you're validating product-market fit, evaluating alternatives, or scouting integration partners, Index organizes results so you can find high-quality matches fast. ## Why Directories and Backlinks Matter Being listed in the right directories can significantly boost your [startup's visibility](https://dodopayments.com/blogs/signs-wfh-startup-failing). Search engines view directory backlinks as votes of confidence, especially when they come from reputable sites. A quality backlink profile brings increased website traffic, referral visits, brand authority, and even faster indexing. This "authority transfer" can help your startup climb search rankings and reach the right audience. ## Ready to Grow Together? Index is our way of giving back to the startup and indie-hacker community. We built it so that founders like you get real distribution and support. Listing is free, and the upside is huge: backlinks, traffic, and more exposure for your project. Submit your product today at [index.dodopayments.com](https://index.dodopayments.com/). Once you're listed, we'll verify and promote it, helping your venture reach new users. Remember, when you grow, Dodo Payments grows too, because great products and businesses make the ecosystem stronger. Let's build together. Add your startup or tool to Index now and join the future of SaaS and AI discovery. ## FAQ ### Is listing on Dodo Payments Index free? Yes. The post explicitly says listing is free, with Dodo reviewing submissions before publishing to keep quality high. ### How long does Index approval usually take after submission? The article does not promise a fixed SLA, but it explains that listings are manually verified for usefulness and quality before being featured. Approval speed depends on review volume and submission completeness. ### What kind of SEO benefit does Index claim for founders? It highlights backlink value from Dodo Payments properties, plus added distribution through newsletters, social channels, and site placements. The intended outcome is stronger authority signals and more discovery traffic. ### Can I discover alternatives and competitors inside Index? Yes. The post calls out an Alternatives page and filtering options by category, use case, technology, and monetization model so founders can compare tools quickly. ### Do Dodo Payments customers get any extra visibility on Index? According to the article, yes. Projects already using Dodo Payments can receive priority spotlight treatment, which can increase their visibility within the directory.