Is The Key Tools worth it?
Worth ten minutes if you already collect badge directories, but treat it as a small, uncertain link. Mixed: in a November 2026 sample of 14 listings, 10 had a followed link (rel noopener noreferrer) and 4 had rel nofollow, so a followed link is likely but not guaranteed. The site is run by the same operator as several look-alike directories, so the audience overlaps heavily. Write a specific short description, pick accurate categories, and keep the badge live after approval.
Who should submit to The Key Tools?
Suits AI tool makers who can add a small badge to their site and want one more indexed page. It does not suit anyone who cannot edit their site footer, anyone hoping for launch-day traffic or votes, or teams that want a guaranteed followed link.
What you need before you submit
- An account, via Google or email
- Their badge on a page of your site, checked live
- A screenshot and a square icon
- A short description of up to 150 characters
- Up to four categories and a pricing model
How to submit to The Key Tools
- Sign in with Google or create an account
- Enter your product homepage
- Add their light or dark badge to your site and run the badge check
- Fill in name, screenshot, icon, categories, pricing and descriptions
- Submit for review and wait for approval
The Key Tools: pros and cons
Pros
- Free to list
- Permanent listing page with category and alternatives links
- No launch day to plan around
- In November 2026 a share of listings had a followed outbound link
Cons
- Badge required before you can even see the form
- No published review time
- Recent listings checked were mostly nofollow
- Same operator and listings as sister directories, so little unique audience
Tips for The Key Tools
- Put the badge on a page that stays live, such as the footer
- Keep the short description concrete: what it does and for whom
- Choose categories that match real search intent
- Check the rel attribute on your listing after approval
- Do not spend paid effort here; it is a low-priority directory
Questions about The Key Tools
How much does it cost to list a tool on The Key Tools?
Does The Key Tools give a dofollow link?
Does The Key Tools ask for a backlink or a badge?
How long does The Key Tools take to list a tool?
Is the link on The Key Tools dofollow?
What does it cost to list on The Key Tools?
How long does approval take?
Do I need a badge?
Facts checked . DR: Domain Rating by Ahrefs, checked . DR 4 is Ahrefs' new model, shown on ahrefs.com from 1 December 2026. DR changes; check a place before you pay for it.