The digital world works similarly – except instead of word-of-mouth, links are the currency of credibility.
Now, if you’ve dabbled in SEO, you’ve probably heard of dofollow and nofollow links. They might sound like tech jargon, but these two link types are the backbone of how authority flows across the web. They determine which websites gain recognition in search rankings and which remain unnoticed.
But let’s be real: SEO can be overwhelming. You might be wondering, “Why should I care about these links? What difference do they even make?”
Well, stick with me, because we’re about to break it down like a thrilling detective case, where links are clues, search engines are investigators, and rankings are the ultimate reward.
By the time you’re done reading, you will not only understand the difference between do-follow and no-follow links but also know exactly how to use them to your advantage.
What is a Dofollow Link?
A dofollow link is a hyperlink that passes SEO value, also known as “link juice,” from the source to the destination website.
When a search engine, like Google, crawls a webpage and finds a dofollow link, it follows the link and considers it as a vote of confidence for the linked page.
This helps improve the search rankings of the linked website, a strategy frequently utilized by businesses seeking growth, by associating themselves with a Reputed SEO agency.
By default, all links on the internet are dofollow links unless they are manually modified to be otherwise.
This means if you link to another website without specifying anything, the link will automatically be treated as dofollow, giving SEO benefits to the linked page.
How Dofollow Links Work?
Think of dofollow links as recommendations.
When a high-authority website links to another site using a dofollow link, it’s essentially saying, “Hey, this website is trustworthy and valuable.”
For example:
<a href=”https://example.com”>Check out this website</a>
Since there’s no rel=“nofollow” tag attached, this is a dofollow link, and the search engine will follow it, passing SEO authority to the linked page.
Dofollow links are essential in SEO because they:
- Help improve the search engine ranking of a website.
- Increase domain authority (DA) or domain rating (DR).
- Pass “link juice” to enhance the credibility of the linked site.
- Strengthen a site’s backlink profile.
However, because dofollow links pass on authority, they can sometimes be exploited through spammy link-building practices.
Search engines have developed algorithms to detect unnatural link-building patterns, so it’s essential to earn dofollow backlinks organically from reputable sites.
This is something a Search Engine Marketing (SEM) company may assist you with if you’re located in Bangladesh, by crafting a strategy that aligns with SEO best practices.
What is a Nofollow Link?
A nofollow link is a hyperlink that tells search engines not to pass SEO value or “link juice” to the linked page.
This means that while users can still click and navigate through the link, the link does not contribute to the SEO ranking of the destination site.
To create a nofollow link, you simply add the rel=“nofollow” attribute within the HTML link code:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Visit this website</a>
When search engine crawlers come across a nofollow link, they acknowledge its presence but do not follow it to pass any ranking benefit.
Why Were Nofollow Links Introduced?
Nofollow links were introduced by Google in 2005 as a way to combat comment spam.
Earlier, webmasters and SEOs would spam comment sections with links to their websites, hoping to gain backlinks and improve their rankings.
To prevent these manipulative tactics, Google rolled out the nofollow attribute, ensuring that such links wouldn’t pass SEO value.
Common Uses of Nofollow Links
While nofollow links don’t directly impact SEO rankings, they are still widely used in various situations:
- Paid Advertisements & Sponsored Links – Google requires paid links to have a nofollow attribute to avoid ranking manipulation.
- Affiliate Links – Most affiliate programs recommend using nofollow links so that search engines don’t pass ranking credit to affiliate pages.
- User-Generated Content – Platforms like forums, comment sections, and social media automatically apply nofollow attributes to prevent spammy backlinks.
- Links to Untrusted Sites – If a website is unsure about the credibility of an external site, adding a nofollow tag helps avoid passing authority.
Even though nofollow links don’t directly influence SEO, they can still drive referral traffic and help diversify a site’s backlink profile, which is crucial for a natural-looking link-building strategy.
When Should We Use Dofollow?
You should use dofollow links when:
- The website is trustworthy and reliable.
- The website adds value and is relevant to your audience.
- The website provides accurate, useful information.
- The website aligns with your content or niche.
Relevance is key. If your website is about fishing and you link to an investment firm, that might raise red flags.
Use dofollow links only when you trust the integrity of the page and it makes sense to link to it. Too many links to unrelated sites could appear suspicious, so link carefully.
Key Differences Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links
To make it even easier, here’s a detailed comparison between dofollow and nofollow links:
Features | Dofollow Link | Nofollow Link |
Passes Link Juice | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Helps SEO Rankings | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Used for Sponsored Content | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Search Engines Follow It? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Affects Domain Authority? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Common Uses | Backlinks, guest posts, organic linking | Ads, affiliate links, user-generated content |
How to Check if a Link is Dofollow or Nofollow?
If you want to check whether a link is dofollow or nofollow, there are two simple ways:
- Using the “Inspect” Tool:
- Right-click on the link in a web browser.
- Click on “Inspect” (or “Inspect Element” in some browsers).
- Look for the rel=“nofollow” attribute in the HTML code. If it’s there, it’s a nofollow link. If not, it’s a dofollow link.
Using SEO Tools:
- Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush can analyze backlinks and tell you whether they are dofollow or nofollow.
- Google Search Console also provides insights into backlinks pointing to your website.
Are Nofollow Links Useless?
Absolutely not! While nofollow links don’t pass SEO authority, they still hold value in a digital marketing strategy. Nofollow links can:
- Drive significant traffic to your website.
- Help create a natural-looking backlink profile.
- Increase brand visibility and credibility.
Search engines like Google also consider nofollow links when assessing brand mentions and engagement, so they shouldn’t be ignored. In fact, for businesses looking to improve their online presence, especially in local markets like Bangladesh, leveraging all types of links—whether dofollow or nofollow – can help you get found by potential customers and stand out in search results.
When Is It Suitable to Use Nofollow Links?
External Paid Links:
If you’re linking to sponsored content, ads, or affiliate links, the nofollow attribute is essential to comply with Google’s guidelines. This prevents search engines from considering these links as an attempt to manipulate rankings.
Untrusted or Low-Quality Sites:
When linking to websites you don’t fully trust or that are of low quality, adding a nofollow tag helps protect your site’s credibility. This ensures you don’t pass any authority to potentially harmful sites.
User-Generated Content:
On platforms with user-generated content, like forums or comment sections, nofollow links can help prevent spammy links from influencing SEO. Search engines won’t follow these links, ensuring they don’t impact your rankings.
Specific Pages You Don’t Want Crawled:
In rare cases, such as with login pages or private content, you may want to prevent search engines from crawling them. In these instances, applying the nofollow attribute can be beneficial.
When to Avoid Using Nofollow Links?
In the past, webmasters misused the nofollow attribute to manipulate link equity, like applying it to all external links to boost internal link value.
However, with Google’s updated handling of nofollow links, this tactic no longer works and can even harm your site.
Avoid applying nofollow to all external links, as it doesn’t benefit your website. Similarly, never use nofollow for internal links.
Instead, use methods like robot meta tags to control what gets crawled.
To ensure you’re using nofollow correctly, Semrush’s Site Audit tool can help identify issues.
The tool checks for unnecessary nofollow links in both external and internal pages, allowing you to correct mistakes and optimize your site’s link distribution.
Common Misconceptions About Dofollow and Nofollow Links: Debunking the Myths
SEO is a world full of strategies, experiments, and let’s be honest, misconceptions.
Among the most misunderstood topics?
Dofollow and nofollow links – some people swear by one, dismiss the other, or get caught up in outdated advice.
Let’s look at the biggest myths about these links so you can navigate the SEO landscape like a pro and stop buying into common SEO myths that could be holding you back from making informed decisions.
Misconception #1: Nofollow Links Are Useless
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Nofollow links don’t matter,” it’s time to set the record straight. Sure, they don’t pass direct SEO value (aka “link juice”) in the same way dofollow links do, but that doesn’t mean they’re worthless.
Think of it like this, a famous influencer shouts out your brand on social media. Their followers might rush to check you out – even if Google doesn’t count that mention as a ranking signal. The same applies to nofollow links.
- They can drive high-quality referral traffic.
- They increase your brand visibility on major platforms.
- They help diversify your backlink profile, making it look natural.
Plus, studies have shown that Google does sometimes consider nofollow links in certain cases (even though they say they don’t).
So while they may not be a golden ticket to higher rankings, dismissing them entirely is a big mistake.
Misconception #2: Every External Link Should Be Dofollow
There’s a temptation to make every outbound link on your site dofollow, thinking it will help boost your credibility in the eyes of search engines.
But guess what? That’s a surefire way to land yourself in hot water with Google.
Not every link deserves to pass SEO value. Some links should be nofollow – especially if:
- You’re linking to a site that you don’t fully trust.
- It’s a user-generated comment or forum post (to prevent spam).
- The link is part of a paid sponsorship or affiliate deal.
Search engines have gotten smarter at detecting unnatural link-building patterns. If you’re caught passing link juice to untrusted or paid links, it could raise red flags.
The safest strategy? Use nofollow when it makes sense and keep your outbound link game clean.
Misconception #3: Nofollow Links Never Help with SEO
A nofollow link doesn’t directly influence rankings, but that doesn’t mean it has zero impact. A nofollow link doesn’t directly influence rankings, but that doesn’t mean it has zero impact – in fact, it can work its magic in more ways than you might think.
Picture this, a high-authority site (like Forbes or Wikipedia) links to your content with a nofollow tag.
At first glance, it might seem like you’re not getting any SEO benefits.
However, this highlights the importance of having an effective content strategy in place to ensure that such links can still drive traffic and build your site’s visibility, which plays a key role in achieving maximum SEO impact.
But what happens next?
- That link sends thousands of visitors to your page.
- Some of those visitors find your content valuable and link to it organically.
- Those new links might be dofollow, boosting your SEO.
This happens all the time. A nofollow mention from a major site can snowball into tons of natural dofollow backlinks.
And let’s not forget Google’s stance: While they officially say they don’t count nofollow links for rankings, they’ve also admitted that they sometimes “use them as hints.” So, who’s to say they don’t factor into rankings more than we think?
Conclusion
If you’ve stuck with me this far, you’re now officially armed with the knowledge to use dofollow and nofollow links like a seasoned SEO pro. These links are the underappreciated backbone of the digital world, folks. Understanding their role isn’t just nice to have, it’s an absolute game-changer.
Here’s the thing, whether you’re building trust through dofollow links or managing your reputation with nofollow ones, every link is an opportunity – an opportunity to rise above the competition, to climb those search rankings, and to get noticed.
It’s not about whether you have the fanciest website. No, it’s about leveraging the right strategies with the right links to get the traffic, visibility, and, ultimately, the customers you deserve.
Get ahead, stay ahead, and remember – in the fast-paced digital world, those who understand the power of their links will be the ones who stand out from the crowd. So why not take the reins today? Let’s get those links working for you.
Take it a step further, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Algomindz, we’ll make sure you get found and get customers faster than you can say “SEO strategy.” You know where to find us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Nofollow Links Ever Contribute to My SEO Strategy?
Absolutely! While nofollow links don’t pass SEO value directly, they still drive referral traffic, improve brand visibility, and help diversify your backlink profile. These aspects are important for a well-rounded SEO strategy, and nofollow links can even act as signals to search engines about brand mentions and engagement.
Should I Use Nofollow Links on All Paid Links or Sponsored Content?
Yes. It’s essential to use nofollow links on paid ads and sponsored content to comply with Google’s guidelines. This prevents search engines from considering these links as attempts to manipulate rankings. However, they still provide value by driving traffic and building relationships.
How Do I Get More Dofollow Links to Improve My SEO?
Dofollow links are often earned through quality content and genuine relationships. Guest posts, backlinks from authoritative websites, and creating shareable, high-value content are great ways to naturally attract dofollow links. If you’re working with a Search Engine Marketing (SEM) company in Bangladesh, they can help you build an organic, trustworthy link profile.
Can Nofollow Links Affect My Site’s Rankings in Any Way?
While nofollow links don’t directly contribute to your SEO rankings, they can indirectly affect your site’s performance. Nofollow links from high-authority sites can bring targeted traffic, which increases your brand exposure and could lead to more organic dofollow backlinks, indirectly benefiting your SEO.
