Nofollow and dofollow links
Topic Overview[edit | edit source]
Nofollow and dofollow links are crucial parts of search engine optimization (SEO). These links communicate with search engines to indicate the nature and value of the linked content. Understanding the difference between nofollow and dofollow links can help websites build a balanced link profile and increase their visibility on search engine result pages (SERPs).
Nofollow Links[edit | edit source]
Nofollow links are hyperlinks with a rel="nofollow" HTML tag applied to them. The "nofollow" attribute tells search engines not to follow the link and not to pass on link juice, or ranking power, to the linked webpage. Nofollow links are typically used for links in comments, sponsored content, and any content that the website does not want to endorse.
Dofollow Links[edit | edit source]
In contrast, dofollow links allow search engines to follow them and reach the linked website. By default, all links are dofollow links unless they are modified to be nofollow links. Dofollow links have a significant impact on SEO because they pass on link juice, which can help improve the linked website's ranking in SERPs.
Usage Types[edit | edit source]
When to use Nofollow Links[edit | edit source]
Nofollow links should be used when linking to pages or content that you don't want to vouch for. This may include user-generated content, comments, or sponsored links. Nofollow links can also be used to direct traffic to a page without impacting your site's SEO.
When to use Dofollow Links[edit | edit source]
Dofollow links should be used when linking to credible sources or high-quality content that you want to endorse. These links pass on ranking power to the linked site, which can help improve its SERP ranking. This makes dofollow links a powerful tool for boosting the visibility and credibility of other websites, as well as your own site if others link to it with dofollow links.