Dofollow vs nofollow links, and how to check

What dofollow and nofollow mean

Understanding Dofollow and Nofollow Links

Dofollow and nofollow are two fundamental types of HTML link attributes that play a crucial role in how search engines perceive and evaluate links. These attributes instruct search engine crawlers on how to treat the links in terms of passing authority and ranking influence.

Dofollow links are the default state of any hyperlink. When you create a link without specifying the rel attribute, it is considered a dofollow link. This type of link passes along what is known as "link juice" or "SEO value" from the source page to the destination page. In essence, dofollow links act as endorsements, signaling to search engines that the linked content is valuable and trustworthy. As a result, dofollow links can positively impact a site's search engine rankings by contributing to its backlink profile.

For example, if Site A links to Site B with a dofollow link, some of Site A's authority is passed to Site B. This transfer of authority can help Site B improve its position in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords.

On the other hand, nofollow links include a rel="nofollow" attribute within the HTML code. This attribute explicitly tells search engines not to follow the link or pass any SEO value to the destination page. Nofollow links were introduced to combat spam and discourage the manipulation of search rankings through artificial link building.

Here's a simple breakdown of how the rel attribute works:

• Dofollow Link: <a href="https://www.example.com">Example</a> - No rel attribute specified, so it's a dofollow link by default.
• Nofollow Link: <a href="https://www.example.com" rel="nofollow">Example</a> - The rel="nofollow" attribute tells search engines not to follow the link.

In practice, nofollow links do not contribute to the linked site's search engine rankings. However, they are not entirely without value. Nofollow links can still drive traffic to your site, increase brand visibility, and contribute to a diverse and natural-looking backlink profile, which can indirectly benefit your SEO efforts.

It's important to note that in September 2019, Google announced changes to how it handles nofollow links. The search engine now treats nofollow as a "hint" rather than a directive, meaning it may choose to crawl and index nofollow links if it deems them valuable. Additionally, Google introduced two new link attributes:

1. rel="sponsored": Used for links that are advertisements or paid placements.
2. rel="ugc": Used for user-generated content, such as comments and forum posts.

These new attributes provide more context to search engines about the nature of the links, allowing for more nuanced handling of different types of links.

How to Check if a Link is Dofollow or Nofollow

To determine whether a link is dofollow or nofollow, you can inspect the HTML code of the webpage. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Right-click on the link you want to check and select "Inspect" or "View Page Source" depending on your browser.
2. Locate the HTML code for the link in the source code.
3. Look for the rel attribute. If the rel attribute includes "nofollow," the link is a nofollow link. If there is no rel attribute or the rel attribute does not include "nofollow," the link is a dofollow link.

Alternatively, you can use browser extensions or online tools specifically designed to highlight nofollow links on a webpage, making it easier to identify their type at a glance.

In summary, understanding the difference between dofollow and nofollow links is essential for effective SEO and link-building strategies. While dofollow links are the primary drivers of SEO value, nofollow links still play a valuable role in a comprehensive link-building approach.

Why it matters for Web 2.0 and stacking

### Why it Matters for Web 2.0 and Stacking In the realm of SEO, the distinction between dofollow and nofollow links is particularly crucial when dealing with Web 2.0 platforms and link stacking strategies. Understanding how these links function within these contexts can significantly impact your overall link building effectiveness and the authority passed to your site. #### Dofollow Links in Web 2.0 Contexts Web 2.0 platforms, such as WordPress.com, Blogger, and Medium, allow users to create content and link back to their own sites. These platforms often provide dofollow links by default, which can be highly beneficial for SEO. Here's why:

1. Authority and Trust: Dofollow links from reputable Web 2.0 sites can pass authority and trust to your site, potentially improving your search engine rankings.
2. Natural Link Profile: Including a variety of dofollow links from different Web 2.0 platforms can help create a natural and diverse link profile, which search engines favor.
3. Indexation: Dofollow links can help search engines discover and index your site more efficiently, as they follow these links during their crawling process.

However, it's important to note that not all Web 2.0 platforms offer dofollow links. Some may automatically add the nofollow attribute to outbound links, especially to prevent spam. Always check the link type using browser extensions or online tools to confirm whether a link is dofollow or nofollow. #### Nofollow Links in Web 2.0 and Their Role While dofollow links are generally preferred for SEO, nofollow links from Web 2.0 platforms still have their place:

• Traffic Generation: Nofollow links can drive traffic to your site, which can indirectly benefit your SEO through increased engagement and potentially lead to more dofollow links from other sources.
• Brand Building: They help in building brand awareness and credibility, as users can still find your content through these links.
• Natural Link Profile: A mix of dofollow and nofollow links appears more natural to search engines, reducing the risk of penalties for having an overly optimized link profile.

#### Link Stacking and Its Implications Link stacking involves creating multiple layers of links to manipulate search engine rankings. While this can be tempting, it is a high-risk strategy:

1. Risk of Penalties: Search engines, especially Google, are adept at detecting manipulative link building practices. If caught, your site could face severe penalties, including loss of rankings or even removal from search indexes.
2. Short-Term Gains: Any benefits from link stacking are often short-lived and not worth the potential long-term damage to your site's reputation and SEO performance.
3. Ethical Considerations: Engaging in such practices can harm your brand's credibility and trustworthiness, both with users and search engines.

Instead of relying on risky tactics like link stacking, focus on creating high-quality content that naturally attracts dofollow and nofollow links from reputable sources. This approach not only aligns with search engine guidelines but also builds a sustainable and effective SEO strategy. In summary, while dofollow links from Web 2.0 platforms can be valuable for SEO, it's essential to maintain a balanced and ethical approach to link building. Always prioritize quality over quantity and aim for a diverse link profile that includes both dofollow and nofollow links from a variety of sources.

How to check a link's rel attribute

Manual Inspection of HTML Code

To manually check a link's rel attribute, you need to inspect the HTML code of the webpage where the link resides. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. View Page Source: Right-click on the webpage and select "View Page Source" or "Inspect" to open the developer tools. This will display the HTML code of the page.
2. Locate the Link: Use the search function (usually Ctrl+F or Command+F) to find the anchor tag (<a>) that contains the link you are interested in. The link will be within the href attribute.
3. Identify the rel Attribute: Look for the rel attribute within the same anchor tag. The value of the rel attribute will tell you whether the link is dofollow or nofollow. For example:
   • <a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Example</a> is a nofollow link.
   • If the rel attribute is absent or does not contain nofollow, the link is considered dofollow.
4. Check for Multiple Values: The rel attribute can contain multiple values separated by spaces. For instance, rel="nofollow sponsored" indicates that the link is both nofollow and sponsored. Ensure you check for all possible values that could affect the link's SEO value.

While manual inspection is straightforward for a single link, it can be time-consuming for pages with many links. Additionally, some links may be dynamically generated or loaded via JavaScript, making them harder to inspect through the page source alone.

Using Browser Extensions and Tools

Several browser extensions and online tools can simplify the process of checking the rel attribute of links. These tools often provide a more user-friendly interface and additional features that can be beneficial for SEO professionals and site owners.

• SEO Quake: This browser extension offers an easy way to view the rel attributes of links on a page. It provides an overlay on the webpage, allowing you to quickly identify nofollow and other types of links.
• MozBar: Developed by Moz, this tool not only shows the rel attributes but also provides other SEO metrics such as domain authority and page authority. It is particularly useful for a more comprehensive analysis.
• NoFollow: This is a simple browser extension that highlights nofollow links on a page, making it easier to spot them at a glance.
• Online Tools: Websites like "Check My Links" or "SEO Review Tools" offer the ability to analyze a webpage's links without installing any software. Simply enter the URL, and the tool will list all the links and their rel attributes.

When using these tools, be aware of their limitations. Some tools may not detect dynamically loaded links or may not work correctly on pages with complex JavaScript. Additionally, always ensure that you have the necessary permissions to analyze the webpage, especially when dealing with websites that have strict terms of service.

In conclusion, checking the rel attribute of links is a fundamental skill for anyone involved in SEO. Whether you choose to manually inspect the HTML or use specialized tools, understanding the difference between dofollow and nofollow links is crucial for effective link building and SEO strategy.

Do nofollow links have any value?

### Do Nofollow Links Have Any Value? In the world of SEO, the debate over the value of nofollow links is ongoing. While they do not pass on link equity in the traditional sense, nofollow links are not entirely without merit. Understanding their potential benefits requires a nuanced view of how they can impact your website's overall SEO strategy. #### Indirect Benefits of Nofollow Links Nofollow links can contribute to your site's SEO in several indirect ways: 1. **Traffic Generation**: Even though nofollow links do not pass link juice, they can still drive significant traffic to your website. If a nofollow link is placed on a high-traffic site, it can lead to increased visibility and potentially result in more conversions or sales. This traffic can, in turn, improve your site's engagement metrics, which are factors that search engines consider when ranking pages. 2. **Brand Awareness and Authority**: Being mentioned on reputable sites, even with a nofollow link, can enhance your brand's authority and credibility. This can lead to more branded searches and direct traffic, which are positive signals to search engines. The more your brand is recognized and discussed online, the more authoritative it appears, which can indirectly influence your site's ranking. 3. **Diversification of Link Profile**: A natural link profile includes a mix of dofollow and nofollow links. Search engines like Google consider the diversity of your link profile when evaluating the authenticity of your site's backlink portfolio. An overly aggressive focus on dofollow links can appear manipulative and may attract penalties. Nofollow links help create a more natural and balanced link profile. 4. **Social Signals**: Many social media platforms automatically apply nofollow attributes to outbound links. However, links shared on these platforms can still contribute to social signals, which are thought to influence SEO. While the exact impact of social signals on search rankings is debated, there is a general consensus that they play a role in amplifying content reach and engagement. #### Practical Considerations for Nofollow Links When evaluating the potential of nofollow links, consider the following practical aspects: - **Relevance and Context**: The relevance of the linking site and the context in which your link appears are crucial. A nofollow link from a site that is highly relevant to your niche can still be valuable for driving targeted traffic and enhancing your brand's visibility. - **Placement and Visibility**: The placement of the nofollow link on the page can affect its impact. Links placed within the main content area are more likely to be noticed and clicked than those in the footer or sidebar. - **Anchor Text**: While nofollow links do not pass link equity, the anchor text can still provide context to search engines about the content of the linked page. This can be beneficial for semantic search and content relevance. - **Long-term Strategy**: Incorporating nofollow links into your overall link-building strategy can help in building a sustainable and resilient SEO approach. It encourages a focus on quality and relevance rather than just link acquisition. In conclusion, while nofollow links do not provide the direct SEO benefits of dofollow links, they are far from worthless. They can drive traffic, enhance brand visibility, diversify your link profile, and contribute to a more natural and balanced SEO strategy. Understanding and leveraging the indirect benefits of nofollow links can be a valuable component of a comprehensive SEO plan.