# Submit to npm

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

- **Canonical:** https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories/npm
- **Markdown twin:** https://tools.launchllama.co/directory-spokes/npm.md
- **Directory:** NPM (npmjs.com)
- **Submit URL:** https://www.npmjs.com
- **DR:** 78
- **Pricing:** Free
- **Category:** Developer Tools (#13 of 27 by DR in this category)
- **Referral traffic:** Very High
- **Backlink quality:** Very Strong
- **Link type:** Mixed — Package page on npmjs.com with homepage and repository links; crawlable registry pages

## Quick verdict

Essential Developer Tools registry — DR 78, free to submit. Worth it for JS/TS libraries and CLI tools; skip if your product is not distributed as an npm package.

**Best for:** JavaScript and TypeScript libraries, CLI tools, and dev SDKs · Teams pairing npm publish with GitHub repo and dev-community launch posts

## Approval & timeline

- **Time-to-live:** Packages publish immediately via npm CLI after account setup — no editorial review queue for public packages.
- **Review:** Automated policy enforcement for malware, squatting, and ToS violations. Disputes handled via npm support.
- **Common rejections:** Package name squatting, malware, publish of banned content, or accounts flagged for abuse.
- **Reputation:** npm is distribution infrastructure — discovery depends on package name, README quality, and promotion, not a directory editor.

## Pros

- DR 78 domain with Very High dev referral traffic on package pages
- Very Strong backlink quality from indexed npmjs.com/package/{name} URLs
- Free public package publishing for most launch use cases
- Install-intent audience — visitors are developers ready to try your tool

## Cons

- JavaScript/TypeScript only — not for pure SaaS web apps without a package
- Crowded namespace — generic package names are taken; branding matters
- No buyer-intent B2B directory traffic like G2 or Capterra
- Scoped private packages may require paid npm plans

## What you need before you submit

- npm account with email verification and optional 2FA enabled
- Unique package name checked via npm search for availability
- package.json with name, version, description, homepage, repository, and license
- README with install instructions, usage examples, and link to product site
- Working publish pipeline — npm publish succeeds from CI or local CLI

**Gotchas:**

- Set homepage and repository fields in package.json — they drive referral traffic
- Once published, package names are permanent — choose carefully before v1.0.0
- npm package page is your listing — empty README wastes Very High traffic potential

## Submission mechanics

- **Account:** Free npm account required. Publish via npm CLI after npm login — no separate listing form.
- **Categories:** Use keywords in description and README — npm search ranks by text relevance and download signals, not formal categories.
- **Anchor text:** Package name as title; homepage and repository URLs set in package.json metadata.
- **Link placement:** Primary links on npmjs.com/package/{name} — indexed registry page with homepage outbound link.

## FAQ

### Is npm free to publish?

Yes — public packages are free to publish on npmjs.com. Private scoped packages and organization features may require a paid npm plan.

### Does npm send referral traffic?

Yes — developers visit package pages before installing. Very High traffic on DR 78 npmjs.com when your package ranks in search or gets promoted.

### How is npm different from GitHub?

GitHub hosts source code; npm distributes installable JavaScript packages. Most dev tools need both — GitHub for development, npm for installs and package-page discovery.

### Does npm give dofollow backlinks?

Package pages include crawlable homepage and repository links. We rate backlink quality Very Strong — value is install-intent dev traffic plus indexed registry pages.

## Related

- [Directory Submission Tracker](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories)
- [Developer Tools directories](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories?category=developer-tools)
- [Directory backlink service](https://tools.launchllama.co/launch#directory-submissions)
- [llms.txt](https://tools.launchllama.co/llms.txt)