When you click a link on a website, something happens behind the scenes that you probably never think about. That link carries instructions that tell search engines whether to follow it or ignore it for ranking purposes. This simple distinction between dofollow and nofollow links shapes how Google discovers content, distributes authority, and ranks websites across the internet.
Understanding this difference isn’t just technical knowledge—it’s practical information that affects anyone who creates content, builds websites, or tries to improve their search rankings. The type of links pointing to your site can make or break your SEO efforts.
What Are Dofollow Links?
Dofollow links are the default type of link on the web. When you create a regular link without any special attributes, it’s automatically a dofollow link. These links tell search engines to follow them and pass along what SEO professionals call “link equity” or “link juice” from the linking page to the destination page.
Think of dofollow links as votes of confidence. When a reputable website links to your content with a dofollow link, it’s essentially telling Google that your content is valuable and worth ranking higher in search results.
Here’s what a dofollow link looks like in HTML:
<a href="https://example.com">This is a dofollow link</a>
Notice there’s no special attribute—that’s because dofollow is the web’s default behavior.
Benefits of Dofollow Links
- Pass ranking authority: They transfer SEO value from the linking site to yours
- Improve search rankings: Quality dofollow links can boost your position in search results
- Drive referral traffic: People can discover your content by clicking these links
- Enhance domain authority: They help establish your website’s credibility with search engines
What Are Nofollow Links?
Nofollow links contain a special HTML attribute that instructs search engines not to follow the link or pass along ranking authority. Google introduced the nofollow attribute in 2005 to combat comment spam and paid link schemes that were manipulating search results.
A nofollow link includes the rel=”nofollow” attribute in its HTML code:
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">This is a nofollow link</a>
While these links don’t pass SEO value, they still serve important purposes and shouldn’t be dismissed entirely.
When Nofollow Links Are Used
- User-generated content: Comments, forum posts, and social media links
- Paid advertisements: Sponsored content and affiliate links
- Untrusted content: Links to sites the author can’t vouch for
- Internal navigation: Login pages, terms of service, and privacy policies
The Key Differences Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links
| Aspect | Dofollow Links | Nofollow Links |
| SEO Value | Pass ranking authority | No direct SEO benefit |
| Search Engine Crawling | Followed by search bots | Generally ignored by crawlers |
| Default Status | Yes (no attribute needed) | No (requires rel=”nofollow”) |
| Traffic Potential | High | Moderate to high |
| Link Building Value | High priority for SEO | Secondary priority |
How to Identify Dofollow vs Nofollow Links
Most people can’t tell the difference just by looking at a link on a webpage—both types usually look identical to users. However, there are several ways to check what type of link you’re dealing with.
Browser Inspection Method
Right-click on any link and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element.” This opens the browser’s developer tools, where you can see the HTML code. Look for the rel=”nofollow” attribute to identify nofollow links.
SEO Tools and Extensions
Browser extensions like NoFollow Simple or SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush can highlight nofollow links on any webpage. These tools often use different colors or styles to distinguish between link types.
Source Code Viewing
You can also view the page source (Ctrl+U in most browsers) and search for links to see their attributes directly.
Why Google Created the Nofollow Attribute
Before 2005, every link on the web passed SEO value. This created massive opportunities for spam, as people could easily manipulate search rankings by posting links in blog comments, forums, and guestbooks.
Google, along with other major search engines, introduced the nofollow attribute to preserve the quality of search results. Website owners could now allow user-generated content without inadvertently boosting spammy or irrelevant websites in search rankings.
The nofollow attribute also addressed concerns about paid links. When websites sell advertising space or participate in affiliate programs, nofollow links ensure these commercial relationships don’t artificially inflate search rankings.
Do Nofollow Links Have Any SEO Value?
This question sparks ongoing debate in the SEO community. While Google officially states that nofollow links don’t pass ranking authority, many SEO professionals believe they still provide indirect benefits.
Potential Indirect Benefits
- Brand exposure: Nofollow links from popular sites can increase brand awareness
- Referral traffic: Users can still click these links and visit your website
- Natural link profile: A mix of dofollow and nofollow links appears more natural to search engines
- Discovery opportunities: These links can lead to future dofollow links from other sources
In 2019, Google updated its handling of nofollow links, treating the attribute as a “hint” rather than a directive. This means Google might choose to follow some nofollow links if they provide value to users.
Building an Effective Link Strategy
Understanding the difference between dofollow and nofollow links helps you develop a more strategic approach to link building and content promotion.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
One dofollow link from a reputable, relevant website is worth more than dozens of low-quality links. Prioritize building relationships with authoritative sites in your industry.
Diversify Your Link Portfolio
A natural link profile includes both dofollow and nofollow links from various sources. Don’t ignore nofollow opportunities—they can still drive traffic and provide valuable exposure.
Create Link-Worthy Content
The best link building strategy is creating content so valuable that other websites naturally want to reference it. This organic approach typically results in high-quality dofollow links.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many website owners make critical errors when dealing with different link types. Here are the most common pitfalls:
- Obsessing over dofollow links: While important, don’t completely ignore nofollow opportunities
- Buying low-quality links: Purchased links often get devalued or penalized by Google
- Forgetting about user experience: Links should primarily serve your audience, not just search engines
- Ignoring link context: A relevant link from a smaller site often beats an irrelevant link from a large site
The Future of Link Attributes
Google continues evolving how it handles different link types. Recent updates introduced new attributes like “sponsored” for paid links and “ugc” for user-generated content, providing more nuanced ways to classify links.
These changes suggest that understanding link attributes will remain important for anyone serious about SEO and digital marketing.
The fundamental difference between dofollow and nofollow links affects every aspect of how search engines understand and rank web content. Dofollow links pass authority and help boost search rankings, while nofollow links protect against spam and manipulation while still providing indirect benefits.
Success in today’s digital landscape requires understanding both types of links and using them strategically. Focus on creating valuable content that naturally attracts quality dofollow links, while appreciating the traffic and exposure that nofollow links can provide. This balanced approach will serve your website well as search engines continue refining how they evaluate and rank online content.
