# Submit to Inc. Magazine

> Launch Llama directory submission tracker review — last reviewed 2026-08-25

- **Canonical:** https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories/inc-magazine
- **Markdown twin:** https://tools.launchllama.co/directory-spokes/inc-magazine.md
- **Directory:** Inc. Magazine (inc.com)
- **Submit URL:** https://inc.com
- **DR:** 91
- **Pricing:** Free
- **Category:** Tech / Startups (#8 of 18 by DR in this category)
- **Referral traffic:** Very High
- **Backlink quality:** Weak
- **Link type:** Mixed — inc.com article pages with outbound links; business journalism with varied rel attributes

## Quick verdict

Business media outlet — DR 91, free to submit. Worth it with founder story or growth angles; skip if you confuse it with the Inc 5000 paid ranking program.

**Best for:** Founders with compelling growth stories, leadership lessons, or industry trends · Startups pitching Inc.com editorial — not the Inc 5000 revenue ranking application

## Approval & timeline

- **Time-to-live:** Editorial pitches may take weeks with no guarantee. Contributed articles and expert columns follow separate editorial calendars.
- **Review:** Inc.com editors select business-relevant stories — founder journeys, management advice, industry analysis, and notable company news.
- **Common rejections:** Pure product pitches without business angle, affiliate content, stories lacking Inc.com audience relevance, or duplicate pitches sent to every writer.
- **Reputation:** Founders confuse Inc.com editorial with Inc 5000 — profile articles are journalism, not the annual revenue ranking list.

## Pros

- DR 91 domain with Very High referral traffic on popular business articles
- Free editorial coverage when accepted — no directory listing fee
- Credibility with entrepreneurs and SMB buyers researching vendors
- Long-tail indexed articles beyond launch week spikes

## Cons

- Backlink quality rated Weak — articles are not an SEO link strategy
- Not a product directory — requires story angle beyond “we launched a SaaS”
- Competitive editorial — mass pitches get ignored
- Separate from Inc 5000 — editorial coverage does not replace ranking application

## What you need before you submit

- Business story hook — growth lessons, founder journey, industry trend, or notable milestone
- Press kit with founder bio, company metrics, and high-res imagery
- Pitch tailored to Inc.com section (leadership, technology, startups, etc.)
- Availability for interview or contributed expert column if requested
- Clarity that you want editorial — not Inc 5000 ranking (different process)

**Gotchas:**

- Inc 5000 is a paid revenue ranking — not the same as pitching Inc.com writers
- Product-only launch pitches underperform vs. founder story or trend angles
- Contributed content may have stricter editorial standards than press releases

## Submission mechanics

- **Account:** Pitch Inc.com editorial via tips email or reporter relationships — no self-serve product listing form.
- **Categories:** Stories must fit Inc.com business beats — entrepreneurship, leadership, growth, technology for business owners.
- **Anchor text:** Editor-controlled in article body — company or founder name linking to your site.
- **Link placement:** Dedicated inc.com article — indexed journalism, not a directory listing row.

## FAQ

### How is Inc. Magazine different from Inc 5000?

Inc. Magazine is editorial journalism at inc.com. Inc 5000 is the annual paid fastest-growing companies ranking — separate application and fees.

### Can I submit my product to Inc. Magazine like a directory?

No — pitch a business story angle to Inc.com editors. There is no free product listing form.

### Is Inc.com coverage free?

Earned editorial is Free. Inc 5000 ranking and some sponsored programs are Paid — different products on the same domain.

### What stories does Inc.com publish?

Founder journeys, leadership advice, growth strategies, and business technology trends — not bare product launch announcements.

## Related

- [Directory Submission Tracker](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories)
- [Tech / Startups directories](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories?category=tech-startups)
- [Directory backlink service](https://tools.launchllama.co/launch#directory-submissions)
- [llms.txt](https://tools.launchllama.co/llms.txt)