If you’ve ever worked in a digital marketing or SEO agency, you’re likely familiar with the terms “follow links” and “nofollow links.” They refer to particular types of links you can find on a web page.
Though follow and nofollow links may look the same on a website to the average visitor, they function differently and have very different implications when it comes to a website’s performance on search engines.
Here’s a simpler explanation: links are essentially highways on the web. Some highways bring a stream of vehicles directly to your site, accompanied by endorsements (follow links), while others only display a signpost in your direction without any guarantee (nofollow links).
For a website owner, blogger, or aspiring entrepreneur, grasping the distinction is essential.
This article will unpack the definition and workings of follow links and nofollow links, explain the impact of these types of links on SEO, provide guidelines on when and where to use each type, teach you what they look like in HTML, and explain how to check them.
After reading this, you should be able to make better decisions that will enhance your website’s visibility.
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What Is a Nofollow Link?
Photo Source: Lead Nicely
When we think about links, a no-follow link instructs search engines not to transfer ranking value or ‘link juice’ to the target page. In 2005, Google introduced this feature as a response to combating link spam, particularly in blog comments.
From a technical standpoint, a no-follow link is identified by the rel=”nofollow” attribute in the HTML markup. For example:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Example</a>
To a user, the link looks and behaves like any other link—they can click on it and navigate to the target page.
To search engines, however, it acts as a special indicator that states, “I am linking to this page, but I neither endorse it nor wish to pass any ranking credit to it.”
This feature, of course, doesn’t imply that no-follow links do not have a purpose. Like any other links, no-follow links continue to drive referral traffic and enhance brand visibility while also improving your backlink profile.
As the two types of links function differently, we are going to analyze the no-follow links in comparison to the follow (dofollow) links.
Key Differences Between DoFollow and Nofollow Links In SEO
Photo Source: SEOptimer
We begin by looking at these three key differences that set these two links apart:
Impact on SEO (Link Equity)
This factor is, by far, the most critical difference.
Follow (DoFollow) Links: Unlike others, these generate SEO value (commonly referred to as link juice) for other websites.
If an influential site links to your blog with a follow link, it acts as an “endorsement” in the eyes of the search engines. This process is particularly good for your ranking.
For example, imagine Forbes linking to your small business with a follow link. Google promotes your visibility by considering the link as “Forbes trusts this site.”
Nofollow Links: These links do not pass on link equity and therefore do not have any direct impact on your search ranking.
However, Google has changed its perspective over the years, and the “nofollow” tag is no longer a strict instruction but a “hint” to be considered.
Therefore, nofollow links may have some indirect benefits for search engine optimization, especially if they originate from authoritative websites.
Example: A nofollow link from Wikipedia may not pass SEO juice, but it can still generate enormous referral traffic and, in a way, signal relevance to the search engines.
If you want to improve search rankings, you need follow links. However, nofollow links should not be ignored—they contribute to authority-building, traffic-driving, and enhancing a website’s backlink profile.
Photo Source: LinkedIn
Use Cases: When to Use Each Type
Both follow and nofollow links are necessary. The issue is not about selecting one, but about knowing when to apply each.
When to Use a Nofollow Link
Nofollow links are suitable for use when there is no intention to pass SEO credit to another page. Some examples include:
- Sponsored Content: Google requires that all paid advertisements or sponsored content include the rel=”sponsored” or nofollow attribute. These tags serve as a barrier to advertising firms buying rank through ads.
- Blogs, Forum Postings, and Other UGC (User-Generated Content) Submissions: Blog comments, forum posts, and other forms of user-generated content generally acquire nofollow tags automatically to combat spam.
- Low-Quality Sites: Use no-follow links to cite websites that you do not trust, thereby avoiding any association between your site and the low-quality site.
- Irrelevant or Duplicate Pages: Do you have off-topic or duplicate content to link to? If so, using nofollow makes it safer.
Example: Imagine you have a fashion blog, and someone comments with a link to their unrelated cryptocurrency site. Since you make it no-follow, you do not automatically award them any SEO credit.
When to Use a Follow Link
Follow links serve as a go-ahead signal—they are to be used when authority needs to be passed. Some of the common use cases include:
- Internal Links: Using follow links to link your pages to one another not only allows easier crawling of your site by search engines but also helps distribute ranking power.
- Credible External Sources: Linking to and citing well-known sites (government sites, research papers, or reputable blogs) improves your own site’s trustworthiness.
Example: If you’re writing a healthcare blog and link to a CDC study, the follow link indicates that you are referencing a reliable source.
Protect your site’s SEO reputation with nofollow links. With follow links, you can share trust and authority.
Appearance: How They Look in HTML
To a regular user, follow and nofollow links look exactly the same, or at least identical. The reason is that they are both clickable, blue texts. The difference is in the HTML.
Example of a Follow Link:
<a href=”https://example.com”>Example</a>
Example of a Nofollow Link:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Example</a>
This tiny addition to the code changes how search engines see the link.
How to Identify Follow and Nofollow Links
Photo Source: Reliablesoft
How do you easily determine if a link is a dofollow or nofollow? Here are a few techniques to make sure:
Inspect with Developer Tools:
- Right-click on a webpage and select Inspect.
- Look at the link’s HTML. If you see rel=”nofollow”, it’s a nofollow. If not, it’s a follow link by default.
Check Page Source:
- Press Ctrl + U (Windows) or Command + Option + U (Mac).
- Search for the link in the code and check if “nofollow” is present.
Browser Extensions:
- Tools like NoFollow Simple (Chrome) or SEO Minion highlight follow vs nofollow links on all pages..
SEO Tools:
- Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz show detailed backlink reports, including whether links are follow or nofollow.
Regularly check your backlink profile to confirm that your site has a healthy mix of both link types.
The Importance of Follow and Nofollow Links
Photo Source: SEO Siren
Some people assume that nofollow links are “worthless” because they don’t pass link juice. That’s not true.
Here’s the distinction:
- Visit & Exposure: A nofollow link on a popular page (think Reddit or Wikipedia) can generate a surge of visitors.
- Authentic Link Profile: To Google, a well-balanced backlink profile consists of a blend of follow and nofollow links. Having all follow links can raise a red flag.
- Brand Awareness: Although nofollow links may not transfer authority, they still effectively showcase your brand to the target audience.
Think of follow links as your SEO currency, and nofollow links as your brand visibility and equilibrium—both matter.
Final Thoughts
Photo Source: Andrius Budrikas on Unsplash
In SEO, links labeled ‘follow’ and ‘nofollow’ might have a well-defined but minor difference. A simple tag in HTML is all it takes to differentiate, but the two have widely different impacts.
In SEO, follow links pass value and help you rank higher than your competitors; therefore, link-building campaigns should be focused on acquiring such links.
While nofollow links do not pass any link juice, they still offer brand visibility, traffic, and balance to your backlink profile.
Savvy SEOs understand the importance of both types of SEO links and the nuances in their application. Use follow links to improve your search engine positions and use nofollow links to maintain compliance, prevent search engine penalties, and access new markets.
FAQs on Follow and Nofollow Links
Do nofollow links have a negative impact on SEO?
NO.
Nofollow links do not harm SEO. They do not contribute to link juice, but they are crucial for maintaining a credible link profile, especially for large enterprises.
Does Google crawl nofollow links?
Yes, Google can crawl nofollow links; however, the search engine may decide not to pass link authority to them.
What is the SEO difference between dofollow and nofollow links?
Follow links pass on SEO value (ranking power), but nofollow links do not.
What is the difference between a nofollow link and a nofollow meta tag?
A nofollow link is applied for a single link, a nofollow meta tag instructs search engines to ignore all outbound links on the webpage.
Want to get the most out of your website’s links? DM us on Instagram — we’ll help you grow your link profile the right way.
READ MORE: INTERNAL LINKING FOR SEO – 9 BEST PRACTICES AND TIPS – SARMLife