100+ Image Submission Sites to Boost Your Traffic

Visual content drives more engagement than plain text across every platform. Image submission sites give your visuals a second life and send real visitors back to your website.

Quick Verdict: Simply put, image submission sites are platforms where you upload and share images to build backlinks, increase brand visibility, and drive referral traffic. They work as off-page SEO tools that help your content rank higher and reach wider audiences through visual discovery.

Key Takeaways

• Image submission sites help you earn backlinks that improve your domain authority over time.
• High-authority platforms like Pinterest and Flickr can send thousands of referral visitors monthly.
• Optimized image titles, descriptions, and alt text increase your chances of ranking in image search results.
• Diversifying your submissions across multiple platforms reduces risk and maximizes reach.
• Consistent posting on image sharing sites signals activity to search engines and keeps your profiles visible.

What Are Image Submission Sites?

Image submission sites are online platforms where users upload, share, and distribute images. These platforms range from social photo-sharing networks to stock image directories. Most allow you to include a link back to your website in your profile or image description.

Search engines index images on these platforms. When someone searches for a related visual, your submitted image can appear in results. That click leads them to the platform, and your link leads them to your site.

According to Moz’s domain authority research, backlinks from high-authority image platforms carry significant weight in search algorithms. These links tell search engines that other trustworthy sites vouch for your content.

Tip: Treat image submission as a consistent off-page SEO habit. Upload a few images weekly rather than hundreds at once to build natural link velocity.

How Does Image Submission Help SEO?

Image submission supports your SEO strategy in several direct ways. Each uploaded image creates an indexed page that links back to your domain. These backlinks improve your site’s authority and search rankings.

According to BrightLocal’s citation research, businesses with consistent listings across multiple platforms rank higher in local search results. Image submissions work the same way for general SEO.

• Backlinks from image platforms pass link equity to your website and improve domain strength.
• Image search results drive highly targeted traffic because users search with specific visual intent.
• Branded images increase your visibility and help users recognize your business across channels.
• Indexed images appear in Google Image Search, which accounts for over 20% of all web searches.
• Profile links on high-authority platforms improve your site’s trust score with search engines.

HubSpot reports that content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without visuals. When you distribute those images across submission sites, you multiply that effect exponentially.

What Are the Top High-Authority Image Submission Sites?

High-authority platforms give you the strongest backlinks and the most traffic potential. These sites have established trust with search engines and large active user bases.

100+ Image Submission Sites List

Below is a comprehensive list of image submission sites organized by category. Each platform offers unique benefits for traffic and backlinks.

Social Photo Sharing Platforms

• Pinterest – The largest visual discovery engine with dofollow links and massive referral traffic.
• Flickr – Yahoo’s photo-sharing community with strong domain authority and group features.
• Imgur – A viral image platform perfect for memes, infographics, and shareable visuals.
• Instagram – A social network focused on visual content with over 2 billion active users.
• Tumblr – A microblogging platform that combines social sharing with blog-style image posts.
• Reddit – Subreddits like r/pics and r/photography accept image submissions with link potential.
• Mix – A content discovery platform that replaced StumbleUpon for sharing visual content.

Design and Portfolio Sites

• Behance – Adobe’s portfolio platform for designers with high domain authority.
• Dribbble – A design community where creatives share shots and get hired.
• DeviantArt – The largest online art community with millions of active members.
• Coroflot – A design portfolio site connected to the Core77 design network.
• Carbonmade – A simple portfolio builder for creatives to showcase visual work.
• Adobe Portfolio – A portfolio tool included with Creative Cloud subscriptions.
• Krop – A creative industry portfolio site with job board features.

Stock Photo and Free Image Platforms

• Unsplash – A free stock photo platform that offers dofollow backlinks to contributors.
• Pexels – A free stock photo and video site with strong SEO visibility.
• Pixabay – A free image repository with a large community of contributors.
• Freepik – A graphic resource platform where designers share vectors and photos.
• Shutterstock – A premium stock photo agency where contributors earn from downloads.
• iStock – Getty Images’ microstock platform for selling and sharing photos.
• Stocksnap – A free stock photo site with a clean interface and wide reach.
• Reshot – A free stock photo platform designed for startups and marketers.
• Burst by Shopify – A free stock photo resource for entrepreneurs and creators.
• Gratisography – A free stock photo site featuring whimsical and creative imagery.

Photography Communities

• 500px – A premium photography community for serious photographers.
• YouPic – A photography community with challenges and social features.
• ViewBug – A photo contest platform with active community engagement.
• PhotoShelter – A portfolio and e-commerce platform for professional photographers.
• SmugMug – A paid portfolio and image hosting service for photographers.
• Exposure – A photo story platform that combines images with narrative text.
• Photocrowd – A photography community with expert-led contests and critiques.
• Gurushots – A gamified photography challenge platform with global participants.

Infographic and Visual Content Sites

• Visual.ly – A data visualization and infographic creation and sharing platform.
• Infographic Journal – A curated gallery for infographic submissions.
• Graphs.net – An infographic directory that accepts user submissions.
• Cool Infographics – A blog and directory showcasing the best infographics.
• Daily Infographic – A high-traffic site that features one infographic daily.
• Elearning Infographics – A niche site for education-focused infographics.
• Submit Infographics – A dedicated submission platform for infographic content.
• Infographic Portal – A directory that categorizes and shares infographics.

Social Bookmarking and Image Sites

• Scoop.it – A content curation platform that supports image-based posts.
• SlideShare – A slide-sharing platform owned by Scribd for visual presentations.
• Flipboard – A content aggregation app that features visual stories.
• Symbaloo – A visual bookmarking tool that organizes links as image tiles.
• Pearltrees – A visual content organization and sharing platform.
• We Heart It – An image-based social network popular with younger audiences.
• Fancy – A social shopping platform that blends image sharing with e-commerce.

Business and Profile Image Sites

• LinkedIn – A professional network where image posts get high engagement and visibility.
• Google Business Profile – A local SEO tool where images improve map pack rankings.
• Crunchbase – A business database where company logos and images build brand presence.
• AngelList – A startup platform where company profiles feature visual content.
• About.me – A personal profile builder that highlights your image and bio.
• Gravatar – A globally recognized avatar service linked to WordPress comments.
• Moz Local – A citation management tool that distributes business images across directories.

More Image Submission Sites to Explore

• ImageShack – A long-standing image hosting service with public galleries.
• PostImage – A free image hosting service for forums and blogs.
• ImgBB – A simple image hosting platform with direct link options.
• ImgPile – A free image hosting and sharing service with no compression.
• ImgVFX – An image sharing site focused on visual effects and digital art.
• PixaBay – A vibrant community sharing free images and illustrations.
• FotoLog – A photo-blogging platform with social networking features.
• Shutterpoint – A stock photography site with a contributor community.
• PhotoBucket – An image hosting and printing service with sharing features.
• TwitPic – A legacy image sharing service connected to Twitter posts.
• Flickr Commons – A section of Flickr for public domain image sharing.
• Cloudinary – A media management platform with image transformation tools.
• Imgix – A real-time image processing and delivery service.
• Pinboard – A bookmarking service that supports image link saving.
• Dropshots – A photo and video sharing platform with album features.
• Zenfolio – A photography website builder with built-in image sharing.
• Photosnack – A photo slideshow creator with sharing capabilities.
• Jalbum – A photo album creator that publishes galleries to the web.
• Coppermine – An open-source photo gallery script for self-hosted sites.
• G2 – A photo gallery software with community sharing features.

Warning: Avoid low-quality image submission sites with spam scores above 30%. Links from these domains can hurt your SEO instead of helping it. Check spam scores using Moz’s Link Explorer before submitting.

How to Submit Images Effectively

Uploading images without a strategy wastes time. Follow a repeatable process to maximize traffic and backlinks from every submission.

1. Create a spreadsheet to track every site, your username, password, and submission dates.
2. Prepare your images in multiple sizes since different platforms have different dimension requirements.
3. Rename each image file with your target keyword before uploading to improve search visibility.
4. Write a unique title and description for each platform to avoid duplicate content issues.
5. Add your website link in the allowed fields like profile bio, image description, or caption.
6. Include relevant tags and hashtags to help users discover your images through search.
7. Engage with other users by commenting and sharing to build profile authority on each platform.

Tip: Use Canva or Adobe Express to create multiple versions of the same image. Different sizes and layouts work better on different platforms, and varied visuals prevent duplicate content flags.

What Makes a Good Image for Submission?

Not all images perform well on submission sites. The best images share specific qualities that attract clicks and shares.

• High resolution matters because blurry or pixelated images get skipped and flagged as low quality.
• Original content outperforms stock photos because platforms reward unique visual content.
• Infographics attract more backlinks than plain photos because they provide data-driven value.
• Branded images with subtle logos increase brand recall without looking like advertisements.
• Vertical images work better on Pinterest and mobile-first platforms for screen compatibility.
• Images with text overlays get more engagement on social sharing sites than plain visuals.

According to Search Engine Journal, images that appear in the top three rows of Google Image Search get over 60% of all clicks. Optimizing your submissions for image search directly impacts your traffic volume.

Common Myths vs Facts About Image Submission Sites

Myth: Nofollow Links Have Zero SEO Value

Fact: Nofollow links from high-authority platforms still drive referral traffic and build link diversity. Google’s algorithm updates now treat nofollow as a hint rather than a directive, meaning search engines may still consider these links for ranking purposes.

Myth: You Should Submit the Same Image to Every Site

Fact: Duplicate images across platforms can trigger spam filters and reduce your visibility. Modify your images slightly – change sizes, add borders, or adjust colors – before uploading to multiple sites to avoid duplicate content penalties.

Myth: Image Submission Is Dead as an SEO Tactic

Fact: Visual search is growing rapidly. Google Lens processes over 8 billion searches monthly. Image submission remains a viable traffic source when you focus on quality platforms and optimized content rather than mass spam submissions.

Pro Tips for Maximum Traffic from Image Submissions

• Create a dedicated email address for all image submission accounts to keep notifications organized.
• Use a consistent username across platforms so your brand becomes recognizable everywhere.
• Batch your submissions by preparing 10 to 15 images at once and scheduling them throughout the week.
• Repurpose blog graphics, social media posts, and presentation slides as image submissions.
• Track your referral traffic in Google Analytics to identify which platforms send the most visitors.

Important: Focus on the top 20 platforms first. According to Ahrefs, 90% of referral traffic from image submissions comes from the top-tier sites like Pinterest, Flickr, and Imgur. Master those before expanding.

Image Submission Site Categories Compared

Different categories of image submission sites serve different goals. Choose your platforms based on what you want to achieve.

Resources and Tools

These tools help you create, optimize, and track your image submissions across multiple platforms.

• Canva – A drag-and-drop design tool for creating infographics, social media images, and branded visuals. Visit Site
• Moz Link Explorer – A backlink analysis tool for checking domain authority and spam scores of image submission sites. Visit Site
• Google Analytics – A free web analytics service for tracking referral traffic from image submission platforms. Visit Site
• TinEye – A reverse image search engine that tracks where your submitted images appear across the web. Visit Site
• Ahrefs – An SEO toolset for monitoring backlinks earned from image submission activities. Visit Site
• Adobe Express – A quick design tool for resizing and reformatting images for different submission platforms. Visit Site
• Buffer – A social media scheduling tool that helps automate image posting across sharing platforms. Visit Site

Frequently Asked Questions

What is image submission in SEO?

Image submission in SEO is the practice of uploading images to third-party platforms to earn backlinks and drive referral traffic. These submissions help your website rank higher in search results by building domain authority through visual content distribution.

How many image submission sites should I use?

Start with 10 to 15 high-authority sites and expand from there. Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on platforms with domain authority above 50 to get the best SEO results from your submission efforts.

Do image submission sites still work for traffic?

Yes. Pinterest alone drives over 2 billion monthly searches. According to Shareaholic’s traffic reports, Pinterest refers more traffic than Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit combined. Image submissions remain a powerful traffic source.

What type of images get the most traffic?

Infographics, step-by-step tutorials, and data visualizations attract the most clicks and shares. These formats provide actionable value that users want to save and share, which increases your reach and backlink potential.

Should I use dofollow or nofollow image submission sites?

Use both. Dofollow links pass direct SEO value, while nofollow links from high-authority platforms drive real traffic and build link diversity. A natural backlink profile includes a mix of both types.

Final Thoughts

Image submission sites remain a reliable way to build backlinks and drive referral traffic when you focus on quality platforms. Start with high-authority sites like Pinterest, Flickr, and Unsplash to maximize your returns. Track your results in Google Analytics and double down on the platforms that send the most visitors. Consistent, optimized submissions will compound your traffic growth over time.