Last updated on March 14th, 2025 at 09:40 am
Every link builder knows that when comparing dofollow vs nofollow links, the big fight is to nail a dofollow link. However, some authority sites just don’t do them, others are selective on their own terms.
Have you ever spent hours or even days arranging a link only to find out it has been made live as nofollow “by accident” ? I have. And especially if the client has paid for this link, it can be very disappointing for both sides.
Backlinks help SEO by signaling trust and authority, but not all links work the same way. Dofollow links boost rankings by passing SEO value, while nofollow links drive traffic and create a natural link profile. Using both strategically improves visibility and prevents over-optimization.
In this article, we will explore the key differences around the dofollow vs nofollow links dilemma, their impact on SEO, and how they influence a website’s search rankings and authority. We will also provide best practices for using each type of link strategically, ensuring a well-balanced link profile that enhances visibility, drives traffic, and supports long-term SEO success.
Dofollow vs Nofollow Links: The Basics
Dofollow and nofollow links are essential components of SEO that influence how search engines evaluate and rank websites.
What are Dofollow Links?
In technical terms, a dofollow link is a standard hyperlink that allows search engines to follow it from one page to another.
By default, all links are dofollow unless the site owner decides that they don’t want to recommend it or be associated with it as far as search engines are concerned. This process passes link equity, often referred to as “link juice,” from the linking page to the linked page.
As a result, dofollow links contribute directly to a website’s domain authority and can improve its search engine rankings. When a search engine encounters a dofollow link, it counts it as a vote of confidence in the linked website, signaling that it is a credible and authoritative source of information.
For example, here is dofollow link I arranged recently:
https://the-tech-trend.com/finance/contractors-closing-down-their-contracting-company/
Let’s have a look at the backend of the page to make sure:
I also use a Chrome extension called “Strike Out Nofollow Links” – it crosses over all nofollow links so you can quickly check if the link you worked hard for wasn’t mistakenly nofollowed.
What are Nofollow Links?
On the other hand, a nofollow link includes a special HTML attribute, rel=”nofollow”, which tells search engines not to pass link equity.
As a result, nofollow links do not contribute to the linked site’s rankings or domain authority. While nofollow links don’t directly impact SEO rankings, they still have value. They can drive traffic, diversify a link profile, and help a website appear more natural in the eyes of search engines.
The nofollow attribute was introduced by Google in 2005 as a measure to combat spam and maintain the integrity of link-based ranking systems.
Prior to its introduction, websites could exploit link-building schemes, artificially inflating their rankings through excessive, low-quality backlinks. The nofollow attribute helped reduce this manipulation by preventing link equity from being passed through suspicious or irrelevant links.
Here is an example:
https://inkbotdesign.com/interaction-design/
And in the code:
Inbound links from user-generated content (e.g., blog comments, social media, forums, press releases) are often marked as nofollow. Major platforms (Quora, YouTube, Wikipedia, Reddit, etc.) universally apply the rel=nofollow attribute to outbound links.
Google’s Evolving Approach to Nofollow Links
In 2019, Google updated its approach to nofollow links, introducing a significant change with the introduction of the “hint” attribute. Before this update, nofollow links were entirely excluded from influencing rankings, meaning they didn’t pass link equity and had little impact on SEO performance.
However, with the introduction of the “hint” attribute, Google started to treat nofollow links as a suggestion rather than an absolute directive, allowing search engines to use nofollow links for ranking purposes when deemed relevant.
This shift enables Google to consider nofollow links in certain cases (when marked as sponsored or user-generated), providing them with more flexibility in how they assess a website’s overall backlink profile.
In addition to the standard rel=”nofollow” attribute that indicates that a website does not vouch for the site it links to, the nofollow links can be marked as:
rel=”sponsored” – designates links on your website that were added due to advertisements, sponsorships, or any form of compensated arrangement.
rel=”ugc” – marks user-generated content, such as blog comment links, links in forums etc.
For example:
https://wptavern.com/proposed-enhancements-to-distraction-free-writing-in-wordpress
And here is how it looks in the code:
The change means that nofollow links can now influence rankings in specific situations, depending on factors like the context and authority of the linking page. If a nofollow link is from a highly authoritative site or appears in a relevant context, it may still be factored into a site’s rankings.
Google’s move to treat nofollow links as hints signals that the search engine is becoming more sophisticated in understanding and evaluating links. As a result, these links may contribute to SEO efforts in ways they couldn’t before.
How Dofollow Links Affect SEO
Dofollow links are important for SEO because they help websites rank higher on search engines. When a search engine finds a dofollow link, it sees it as a recommendation, meaning the linked page is useful and trustworthy.
This can help the page show up higher in search results. In other words, dofollow links act like votes, passing value from one site to another and improving the linked site’s search rankings.
Dofollow links are especially helpful because they pass “link juice,” or the strength of one website to another. The more high-quality dofollow links a site gets, the better it can rank on search engines, bringing in more visitors.
But not all dofollow links are the same. The best links come from trusted and relevant websites. A link from a well-known news site or a popular blog is much more valuable than a link from a random or low-quality website.
Search engines check the reputation of the site giving the link, so getting dofollow links from reliable sources is a key part of improving SEO.
When to Use Nofollow Links and Their SEO Benefits
Nofollow links serve a distinct purpose in SEO by preventing the passing of link equity, which is especially important in certain contexts like user-generated content, sponsored posts, and paid links. In these situations, website owners may want to avoid endorsing or passing link equity to a potentially low-quality or irrelevant site.
The nofollow attribute ensures that search engines do not associate link equity with these types of links, thereby preventing manipulation of rankings through paid or unverified sources.
Despite not passing link equity, nofollow links are still valuable in several ways. Google, for example, continues to crawl and index nofollow links, meaning that while they don’t contribute directly to rankings, they can still be used to discover new pages and index content.
Therefore, nofollow links are not entirely useless for SEO, as they may still lead to increased visibility, especially if the linked content becomes indexed and reaches a wider audience.
Good to know:
According to Outreach Monks, the ideal dofollow:nofollow links ratio for a website is 60:40 or 70:30 .
Additionally, nofollow links can drive valuable referral traffic. Since these links can still be clicked by users, they offer the potential to send visitors to a website, which can result in increased engagement and conversions. For example, a nofollow link in a blog comment or forum post might lead to a site gaining traffic, even though it doesn’t impact rankings.
Another significant benefit of nofollow links is that they contribute to a natural and diverse link profile. A healthy backlink profile should contain a mix of dofollow and nofollow links. Relying solely on dofollow links can appear unnatural to search engines and may lead to penalties. Therefore, incorporating nofollow links helps create a more balanced and credible backlink strategy, which in turn supports long-term SEO efforts.
Key Differences Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links
Dofollow and nofollow links are two key types of hyperlinks that differ significantly in terms of their impact on SEO. The most notable difference is in how they affect link equity, or “link juice.”
Dofollow links pass link equity from the referring page to the linked page, which can help boost the linked site’s domain authority and improve its rankings in search engine results. These links are highly valuable for SEO, as they directly contribute to a site’s search engine visibility.
In contrast, nofollow links do not pass link equity. They include a special HTML attribute (rel=”nofollow”) that tells search engines not to follow the link and not to transfer link equity to the linked page.
As a result, nofollow links do not directly influence rankings or domain authority. However, they still have value, as they can drive referral traffic, help diversify a site’s backlink profile, and even contribute to the discovery and indexing of new pages by search engines.
In terms of usage, dofollow links are typically preferred for link-building strategies because they directly impact SEO. These links should be prioritized when trying to boost rankings and improve a site’s authority.
On the other hand, nofollow links are often used in situations where the website owner wants to avoid endorsing a potentially low-quality or unrelated page. Common use cases for nofollow links include user–generated content (e.g., blog comments, forum posts), sponsored content, and paid advertisements.
A balanced backlink profile should include both dofollow and nofollow links. While dofollow links are critical for ranking improvements, nofollow links play a role in maintaining a natural and diverse link profile. This balance can help avoid over-optimization and align with search engine guidelines, ensuring a sustainable SEO strategy.
Best Practices for Balancing Dofollow and Nofollow Links
To help you get a varied dofollow-nofollow backlink profile, follow these steps:
| 1. Maintain a Balanced Link Profile | Ensure a mix of dofollow and nofollow links to create a natural backlink profile. Search engines assess link diversity for credibility. |
| 2. Avoid Excessive Low-Quality Dofollow Links | Avoid too many dofollow links from spammy or low-quality sources, as they can be seen as manipulative and harm SEO performance. |
| 3. Be Aware of Google Penalties | Understand that Google penalizes websites with excessive low-quality dofollow links, leading to drops in rankings and traffic. |
| 4. Ensure a Healthy Ratio of Nofollow Links | A website with only nofollow links may lack authority and trust. Ensure a natural mix of link types to show organic link-building. |
| 5. Focus on High-Quality Dofollow Links | Acquire dofollow links from authoritative, relevant websites through guest blogging, industry directories, and high-quality content. |
| 6. Incorporate Nofollow Links Strategically | Use nofollow links in user-generated content, paid ads, and comments to create a natural, diverse link profile. |
| 7. Build a Sustainable Backlink Strategy | Combine dofollow and nofollow links effectively to maintain credibility, avoid penalties, and support long-term SEO success. |
Securing High-Quality Dofollow Links
Getting high-quality dofollow links helps your website rank higher in search engines. These links pass authority, making your site more visible online. Some of the best ways to get these links are:
- Guest Posting
- Digital PR
- Resource Page Outreach
Each method should be done the right way to make sure the links are useful, natural, and ethical.
1. Guest Posting: Write for Other Websites
Guest posting means writing articles for other websites in your field. In return, you get a link back to your site. This can help build your website’s reputation and improve SEO.
How to Do It Well:
- Choose websites that are well-known and related to your industry.
- Write helpful and unique content that people will want to read.
- Make sure the links fit naturally into the article.
2. Digital PR: Get Featured in News and Blogs
Digital PR means getting mentioned in news sites, blogs, and other trusted websites. These mentions often include links that help boost your website’s authority. Also, it is not that popular and “crowded” approach to building links – less that 18% of link builders do digital PR, according to a 2025 survey by Authority Hacker.
How to Succeed:
- Share expert opinions, research, or industry trends with reporters.
- Find journalists who write about your industry.
- Get published on news websites, blogs, or industry-related sites.
3. Resource Page Outreach: Get Listed on Helpful Websites
Some websites have resource pages that list useful tools and guides. If your website has helpful content, you can ask to be added to these lists.
How to Get Resource Page Links:
- Look for websites in your industry that have resource pages.
- Contact the site owner and explain why your content is helpful.
- Make sure your website has high-quality information.
Leveraging Nofollow Links for Brand Visibility
Nofollow links don’t directly improve SEO rankings, but they still help increase brand visibility and drive traffic to your website.
These links appear in press releases, social media, and forums, making them valuable for reaching more people and growing your audience. Even though they don’t pass link equity, they can still bring in visitors and improve your brand’s reputation.
79% of digital marketers believe that along with nofollow links, plain text mentions also impact search rankings. And with the right explanation of the way they do matter for a website online reputation and authority, your clients would be able to understand that they are in fact wort it!
Nofollow Links in Press Releases
Press releases often contain nofollow links to prevent SEO manipulation, but that doesn’t mean they are useless. A well-placed link in a press release on a major news site can attract new visitors, increasing engagement and even leading to sales.
Being featured on trusted media outlets can also help build brand credibility, making your business more recognizable—even if the links don’t affect search rankings.
Nofollow Links on Social Media
Most social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, use nofollow links. While these links don’t help SEO, they are still powerful. Social media helps brands:
- Share content and reach a wider audience
- Drive traffic back to their website
- Increase engagement by interacting with potential customers
- Even though the links don’t pass SEO value, the exposure and traffic they generate can have a big impact on brand growth.
Nofollow Links in Forums and Communities
Many online forums and discussion websites (like Reddit or Quora) also use nofollow links. However, they still provide benefits:
- Drive referral traffic from users who click the links
- Increase brand trust by sharing helpful insights in discussions
- Expand your audience by reaching people interested in your industry
- Engaging in forums with valuable comments and helpful answers can encourage users to visit your site, even if the link is nofollow.
Why Nofollow Links Still Matter
Even major sites like Wikipedia and news websites use nofollow links to avoid SEO manipulation. But these links still:
- Send valuable traffic from readers who trust the source
- Improve brand visibility by associating your business with authoritative websites
- Boost credibility by being featured on trusted platforms
Pro tip: Treat nofollow links as valuable brand mentions. Don’t get discouraged when you come across a nofollow link opportunity. As long as the site is relevant and has good metrics, it is worth it!
How to Track Dofollow and Nofollow Links
Measuring the impact of dofollow and nofollow links is essential for businesses looking to optimize their SEO strategy. SEO tools like Ahrefs, Moz, and Google Search Console provide valuable insights into a website’s backlink profile, helping businesses analyze the balance between dofollow and nofollow links and assess their overall link-building efforts.
Key metrics to consider when analyzing a backlink profile include domain authority, domain rating, referring domains, and anchor text distribution. Domain authority (DA) is a metric that indicates the overall strength and credibility of a website, and it is influenced by the quantity and quality of backlinks, including dofollow links.
A higher DA suggests that a site is well-established and authoritative, which can improve rankings. By examining the referring domains, businesses can determine the number of unique domains linking to their site.
A diverse set of referring domains is an indicator of a natural and healthy backlink profile, as it shows that links are coming from various credible sources.
Anchor text distribution refers to the text used in hyperlinks and can provide insights into how naturally the backlinks are built. A balanced distribution of anchor texts, with relevant keywords and branded terms, ensures that the profile appears natural and not overly optimized.
While dofollow links contribute directly to SEO, tracking referral traffic from nofollow links is equally important. Although nofollow links do not pass link equity, they can still drive traffic to a website.
Using tools like Google Analytics, businesses can monitor referral traffic from nofollow links, providing insights into brand exposure, audience engagement, and content effectiveness. If referral traffic is high from nofollow links, it may indicate that these links are successfully reaching and engaging target audiences, even if they are not impacting SEO rankings directly.
Bottom Line
A strong link-building strategy requires a balanced mix of dofollow and nofollow links. While dofollow links pass SEO value and boost rankings, nofollow links help drive traffic, diversify a site’s backlink profile, and enhance brand visibility. We at Manic SEO will help you understand when and how to use each type for long-term SEO success while maintaining a natural, authoritative online presence.