What Are Nofollow and Dofollow Links?
Nofollow and dofollow refer to types of HTML link attributes that tell search engines how to treat a link. By default, all links are considered dofollow unless specified otherwise.
- Dofollow link allows search engines to follow the link and pass link equity (ranking power) from the referring site to the linked site.
- Nofollow link uses the
rel="nofollow"attribute, telling search engines not to follow the link or pass authority. These links are still clickable and functional for users but do not influence search engine rankings in the same way.
These attributes are used to control how link value is distributed and to manage risk in SEO.
Why Nofollow and Dofollow Matter
The distinction between nofollow and dofollow links affects link building, SEO strategy, and how search engines perceive your backlink profile.
Key reasons these link types matter:
- Dofollow links contribute to PageRank and help improve search rankings
- Nofollow links prevent link equity from being passed to untrusted or paid links
- They allow publishers to maintain editorial control over outbound linking
- A balanced link profile with both types can appear more natural to search engines
Google now treats nofollow as a hint rather than a strict directive, meaning it may choose to follow or index nofollow links at its discretion.
Example in Use
If a blog includes a standard hyperlink to your website, it’s usually a dofollow link and can help your SEO. However, if the link includes rel="nofollow", it signals to search engines not to pass ranking value. This is common in comment sections, forums, or sponsored posts.
Strategic link builders often seek dofollow links for ranking benefits while being mindful of where and how nofollow links appear.
Related Terms
- Backlink
- Link Building
- Anchor Text
- Link Equity
- rel=”ugc” / rel=”sponsored”