DoFollow vs NoFollow Links: Which Matters More for Backlinks?

Understanding the Impact of Link Types

Explore the differences between DoFollow and NoFollow links.

When building a strong online presence, knowing link types matters. A DoFollow link lets search engines share "link juice" or authority. A NoFollow link tells search engines not to share authority. Both types are important for SEO strategies. DoFollow links help websites rank higher in search results. Studies show sites with good DoFollow links rank better. NoFollow links, about 10.6% of top site backlinks, add variety. They also follow search engine rules. Using both types creates a balanced and smart strategy.

Key Takeaways

• DoFollow links improve your site's rank by sharing trust and value.

• NoFollow links stop penalties for paid posts but still bring visitors.

• A mix of DoFollow and NoFollow links keeps your backlinks balanced.

• Good links from trusted sites matter more than having many links.

• Check your backlinks often to stay strong and remove bad ones.

What Are DoFollow Links?

Definition of DoFollow Links

A dofollow link lets search engines follow it and share value. This value, called "link juice," helps the linked site rank better. These links are the default type unless changed in the code. Search engines use dofollow links to index pages and share authority. This can improve how high a site appears in search results.

Dofollow links also boost a site's Domain Authority (DA) and PageRank. Linking to good content shows search engines your site is trustworthy. This makes dofollow links very important for SEO plans.

How DoFollow Links Pass Link Juice

Dofollow links share more "link juice" than nofollow links. This includes trust, authority, and relevance, which search engines use to judge websites. For example, if a trusted site links to yours, it shares some of its authority.

These links are usually chosen by the linking site because the content is good. This makes the shared link juice helpful and meaningful. Nofollow links share less value and don’t directly help rankings.

Benefits of DoFollow Backlinks for SEO

Dofollow backlinks help sites rank higher in search results. They share link equity, which boosts the linked site's authority. Good backlinks show search engines your site is reliable and trustworthy.

Building dofollow backlinks can also make your site easier to find. Linking to trusted sources or getting links from respected sites improves rankings. This brings more visitors to your site, making dofollow links key for SEO success.

What Are NoFollow Links?

Definition of NoFollow Links

A nofollow link tells search engines not to share authority. Google created this in 2005 to stop spam in blog comments. At first, search engines ignored nofollow links completely. But since 2019, Google uses them as hints, so they might still affect rankings.

Website owners can use special tags to explain nofollow links. For example:

These tags help search engines understand links and follow SEO rules.

How NoFollow Links Work in SEO

Nofollow links don’t directly share authority but still help SEO. Search engines may use them to check a site’s quality and relevance. For example, one marketer got a nofollow link from OkDork. It helped their keyword ranking jump from #19 to #1. Another nofollow link from Yahoo Finance doubled traffic to an old blog post.

These examples show nofollow links can boost rankings indirectly. They bring traffic and make your site more visible. They also create a mix of backlinks, which search engines like for credibility.

Benefits of NoFollow Backlinks Beyond SEO

Nofollow links have benefits besides improving rankings. They can send lots of visitors to your site, especially from popular websites. For instance, 41% of sites get more shares, and 29% gain backlinks after being mentioned on big platforms.

Nofollow links also help people notice your brand. Being on trusted sites makes your business more visible and attracts customers. They also keep your site safe from penalties by following Google’s rules for paid links.

DoFollow vs NoFollow: Key Differences

SEO Impact and Link Juice

DoFollow and NoFollow links work differently for SEO. A DoFollow link lets search engines follow it and share link juice. This boosts the linked site's authority and search rankings. For example, top-ranking pages get 5%-14.5% more DoFollow links monthly. This shows how important they are for better rankings.

NoFollow links, however, tell search engines not to follow them. They don’t directly pass link juice or improve rankings. But since 2019, Google uses NoFollow links as hints. This means they might still help rankings in some cases. DoFollow links share link juice, while NoFollow links add variety. Search engines like a mix of both for credibility.

Role in Domain Authority and PageRank

DoFollow links help build domain authority and improve PageRank. When a trusted site links to yours with a DoFollow link, it shows search engines your site is reliable. This raises your authority and helps your pages rank higher. DoFollow links also help search engines find and index new content, making your site more visible.

NoFollow links don’t directly boost domain authority or PageRank. But they still help in other ways. For example, NoFollow links from trusted sites can bring more visitors. They also create paths for link juice from other links, helping SEO indirectly. Using both DoFollow and NoFollow links keeps your backlink profile natural and avoids penalties.

Practical Use Cases for DoFollow and NoFollow Links

Each link type has its own purpose in SEO. DoFollow links are great for building authority and improving rankings. For instance, a food blog linked by a popular recipe site with a DoFollow link gains trust and visibility. This can bring more visitors and better SEO results.

NoFollow links don’t directly help SEO but are useful for traffic and brand awareness. For example, a NoFollow link from a big news site won’t pass link juice but can send many visitors to your site. Also, using NoFollow links for ads or user content follows search engine rules and avoids penalties.

By knowing how to use these links, you can improve your SEO strategy.

When to Use DoFollow Links

Building Authority with DoFollow Backlinks

DoFollow backlinks help make your website more trustworthy. When a reliable site links to your page, search engines see your site as valuable. This boosts your Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA). These scores show how strong and trusted your site is. High DA and PA mean your site is supported by good sources, improving its rank in search results.

For example, getting DoFollow links from top sites in your field can raise your site's trust. These links are like "votes" that tell search engines your content deserves a higher rank. That’s why many websites work hard to get DoFollow links to grow their trust and visibility.

Tip: Try to get DoFollow links from sites related to your topic. This helps your site stay relevant and meet user needs.

Linking to High-Quality, Relevant Content

Adding DoFollow links to good, related content helps your site and readers. Search engines like links that give users helpful, extra information. Linking to trusted sources shows your content is well-researched and reliable.

To get DoFollow links, use strategies like PR campaigns, outreach, or listing on resource pages. Focus on linking to content that matches your topic. For example, a fitness blog could link to a study about exercise benefits. This not only improves SEO but also builds trust with readers.

Note: Always check that the links you use are current and correct. Old or wrong links can hurt your site’s trust and user experience.

Best Practices for Using DoFollow Links

To get the most from DoFollow links, follow these tips:

1. Choose Quality Over Quantity: Get links from trusted, related sites instead of many weak ones.

2. Mix Your Links: Use both DoFollow and NoFollow links for a natural link profile. This shows search engines your site is reliable.

3. Use Clear Anchor Text: Make sure the text for your links matches the linked content. This helps search engines understand the link.

4. Don’t Overdo It: Too many DoFollow links in one post can seem spammy. Keep it balanced for better SEO and user experience.

5. Check Your Links Often: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to review your backlinks. Remove bad links to keep your site safe.

By following these steps, you can use DoFollow links to grow your site’s authority and improve its search rankings.

When to Use NoFollow Links

Avoiding Penalties for Paid or Sponsored Links

Using nofollow backlinks helps avoid penalties for paid links. Search engines like Google want honesty with paid links. Adding rel="nofollow" or rel="sponsored" tags shows the link is paid. This stops penalties for breaking link-building rules.

For example, if your online store works with bloggers for ads, use nofollow tags. This keeps your site safe while bringing traffic.

Here’s why nofollow links work well:

1. They tell search engines the link is paid or sponsored.

2. They protect your site from penalties for bad link practices.

3. They follow Google’s rules for sponsored content.

Using nofollow links wisely keeps your site trusted and benefits partnerships.

Linking to Untrusted or Irrelevant Sources

Nofollow links are helpful when linking to untrusted sources. Search engines punish sites linking to bad or unrelated content. Adding nofollow tags to these links avoids such penalties.

For instance, if you link to a source with low trust, use a nofollow tag. This shows search engines you don’t support that content. It protects your site’s reputation and SEO.

Nofollow links are also good for user-made content like comments. These often link to unverified pages. Adding nofollow tags stops spam and keeps your backlinks clean.

Best Practices for Using NoFollow Links

Follow these tips to make the most of nofollow links:

• Affiliate Marketing: Use nofollow tags to follow Google’s rules and stay penalty-free.

• Blog Comments & Forums: Add nofollow tags to stop spam and manage link value.

• Internal Linking Strategies: Use nofollow links to guide search engines to key pages.

• Local SEO: Nofollow links from trusted sites can still bring traffic.

For example, a small shop used guest blogs with nofollow links and grew traffic by 25% in six months. A B2B company used nofollow links in ads and got more leads.

By using these methods, nofollow links can boost your site’s traffic, keep it trusted, and follow search engine rules.

How to Identify and Manage DoFollow and NoFollow Links

Tools for Checking Link Types

Using tools makes finding DoFollow and NoFollow links easier. These tools check your backlinks and help with SEO. Below is a table comparing popular backlink tools:

These tools help you track backlinks, separate DoFollow and NoFollow links, and find harmful links. Regular checks keep your link profile strong and safe.

Tips for Maintaining a Balanced Backlink Profile

A good backlink profile has quality, variety, and relevance. Here’s how to achieve it:

• Check Links Often: Use tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs to review your backlinks. Remove harmful links to protect your rankings. Regular checks can improve your SEO results.

• Use Different Anchor Texts: Mix branded, exact match, and partial match keywords in your anchor texts. This helps search engines understand your content and avoids penalties.

• Get Links from Various Sources: Build backlinks from different sites like blogs, directories, and news pages. A mix of sources shows search engines your site is trustworthy. Over 50% of SEO experts say balancing quality and quantity is key for success.

Tip: Don’t skip NoFollow links. Research shows 54% of marketers find them useful for keeping a natural backlink profile.

By following these steps, you can create a strong backlink profile that boosts your SEO while following search engine rules.

Knowing the difference between DoFollow and NoFollow links helps you plan better. Here’s a simple comparison:

Each link type has its own job in SEO. DoFollow links raise your site’s trust and rankings. NoFollow links add variety and bring visitors without breaking rules.

Tip: Use DoFollow links to grow trust and visibility. Add NoFollow links to follow rules and keep a natural backlink mix. Using both leads to lasting success.

FAQ

What is the main difference between DoFollow and NoFollow links?

DoFollow links share "link juice" to boost rankings and authority. NoFollow links don’t directly share link juice but help search engines as hints. They also make your backlink profile more diverse.

Can NoFollow links improve SEO?

Yes, but indirectly. NoFollow links bring visitors to your site and improve visibility. Search engines might use them to check your content’s quality and relevance. Using both link types strengthens your SEO plan.

Should you prioritize DoFollow links over NoFollow links?

You need both types. DoFollow links improve rankings and build authority. NoFollow links add variety and follow search engine rules. A good backlink profile has a mix of both.

How can you check if a link is DoFollow or NoFollow?

Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or Google Search Console to check links. You can also look at the HTML code. NoFollow links have rel="nofollow", while DoFollow links don’t.

Why are NoFollow links important for compliance?

NoFollow links follow search engine rules for paid or sponsored content. Adding rel="nofollow" or rel="sponsored" tags avoids penalties. This keeps your site trusted and safe.

See Also

Defining The Characteristics Of Quality Backlinks

The Role Of Backlinks In Improving Organic Search Rankings

The Importance Of Anchor Text In Backlink Strategy