Dofollow vs Nofollow Links Explained

If you have questions about dofollow vs nofollow, you’re not alone. I’ll keep this simple and practical, and I’ll back it with trusted sources.

Short version: dofollow links are just normal links that pass PageRank. Nofollow links ask search engines not to pass PageRank. Google treats nofollow as a hint now, not a hard rule. That matters for your strategy.

Let’s break it down with steps, examples, and data you can use today.

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What Are Dofollow vs Nofollow Links, Really

There is no “dofollow” attribute. A dofollow link is simply a regular link without a special rel attribute. It looks like this:

Anchor text

A nofollow link includes a rel attribute that tells search engines not to pass PageRank. It looks like this:

Anchor text

Google also supports rel=”sponsored” for paid links and rel=”ugc” for user generated content. These attributes help you stay within guidelines while keeping your link profile clean.

For the official word, read Google’s documentation on qualifying outbound links and link best practices:

• Google Search Central: Qualify your outbound links
• Google Search Central: Link best practices

Key point. Since 2019, Google treats nofollow as a hint for crawling and indexing. That means Google may choose to use it for discovery. It is still a strong signal not to pass PageRank.

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Why Dofollow Links Matter For Rankings

Google has said for years that links help discover content and can be a factor in how pages are ranked. If you want a straight source, start here:

• How Search Works by Google

From a practical standpoint, here is what I see across campaigns:

• Dofollow editorial links from relevant sites tend to correlate with stronger ranking movement.
• Nofollow links still help with referral traffic, brand signals, and sometimes assist discovery.
• Mixed link profiles look natural. You want both, with a bias toward quality dofollow links.

I like to keep this rule in mind. Quality over quantity. Relevance over raw authority.

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Nofollow Is Not “Useless”

Nofollow links can still drive sales and awareness. I have seen nofollow placements on high traffic pages send hundreds of visitors within days. Many of those visitors sign up or buy. That signal is real, even if PageRank is not passed directly.

Also, Google may use nofollow as a hint for crawling. If you earn a nofollow mention on a big site, it can still lead to discovery of your page. Then your on-page work and internal links can do the rest.

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Simple Tests To Identify Dofollow vs Nofollow

You do not need fancy tools. Two quick checks will do it.

1. Right click and inspect the link in your browser. If you see rel=”nofollow”, “sponsored”, or “ugc”, it is not dofollow.
2. Use a browser extension that highlights nofollow. There are many free options. It speeds up audits.

Bonus: check the robots meta tag on the page. If a page uses noindex or weird directives, the link impact drops. Keep your eyes open for that during outreach.

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The Three rel Attributes You Must Use Correctly

1) rel=”nofollow”

Use it for untrusted links or when you prefer not to pass credit. Common in comments, directory pages, or links that are not editorial.

2) rel=”sponsored”

Use it on paid links, affiliate links, or any compensated placement. This is a compliance move. It protects your site and the publisher.

3) rel=”ugc”

Use it for user generated content. Forums, comments, community posts. You can combine attributes like rel=”nofollow ugc” if needed.

Again, the source you can trust:

• Qualify your outbound links

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Strategy: How I Use Dofollow vs Nofollow To Build Real Authority

Step 1: Lock in your internal linking

Internal links are the fastest win. They are always dofollow by default. Use them to feed PageRank to key pages.

1. List your top 10 revenue pages.
2. Find 10 relevant supporting articles for each.
3. Link naturally with descriptive anchor text. Keep it short and clear.
4. Add 3 to 5 internal links to each target page today.

This sounds basic. It moves needles. Every time.

Step 2: Earn editorial dofollow links through content with proof

People link to sources they trust. Create pages with:

• Original data or a simple chart
• Clear definitions and examples
• Downloadable assets like checklists

If you need inspiration and frameworks, these hubs are worth your time:

• Ahrefs Blog
• Moz Blog
• Search Engine Journal

Then do targeted outreach.

Here is a simple email script that lands dofollow mentions when the content is legit:

Subject: Quick source for your [topic] page

Hey [Name],

Loved your resource on [topic]. Your section on [specific point] was clean and helpful.

I just published a [data-backed guide / checklist] on [related topic]. It includes [1-line value, like a chart or template]. 
You can see it here: [URL].

If you ever update that page, feel free to reference this as a source. If not, all good. 
Either way, thanks for the useful read.

[Your Name]
[Role], [Site]

Short. Respectful. Clear value. That gets replies.

Step 3: Place nofollow, sponsored, and ugc on the right links

Protect your site with clean rel usage. Do this now:

• Mark all paid and affiliate links as rel=”sponsored”.
• Mark user profiles, comments, and forum posts as rel=”ugc”.
• Use rel=”nofollow” for any untrusted or questionable outbound links.

This keeps you aligned with Google and it helps other sites trust your links too.

Step 4: Build a natural profile with both link types

If every link you earn is dofollow, it can look odd. Natural profiles include brand mentions, citations, and social links, many of which are nofollow. I like to aim for a steady mix that matches the niche.

The key is to prioritize dofollow editorial links on pages that rank and get crawled often. Those are your compounding assets.

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How I Evaluate A Potential Link Opportunity In 90 Seconds

1. Topical fit. Does the site cover my niche credibly
2. Indexing. Are the recent pages indexed
3. Traffic. Does the site have real traffic and visible keywords
4. Outbound pattern. Are outbound links relevant and not spammy
5. Link type. Is the placement likely dofollow and editorial
6. Placement. Can I avoid sitewide or footer links

If I cannot check all six, I pass. You do not need every link. You need the right links.

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Common Myths About Dofollow vs Nofollow

Myth 1: Nofollow links are worthless

Not true. They can drive traffic, build brand, and assist discovery. They can also lead to future dofollow links. I have seen that play out many times.

Myth 2: rel=”dofollow” is a thing

It is not. A dofollow link is just a normal link without rel attributes that block credit. Keep your HTML clean.

Myth 3: One high authority dofollow link will rank any page

No single link guarantees a jump. Relevance, content quality, internal linking, and technical health all matter. Links are part of the system, not a switch.

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Technical Checklist: Keep Your Outbound Links Clean

• Use rel=”sponsored” on any paid placement or affiliate URL.
• Use rel=”ugc” on user profiles, comments, and forum posts.
• Use rel=”nofollow” for untrusted or crowd-sourced links if you cannot review them.
• Avoid blocking crawlers with robots.txt unless necessary. Let them see your links.
• Audit your site quarterly. Spot-check 20 random posts for correct rel usage.

Google’s documentation is crystal clear on this. Bookmark it:

• Qualify your outbound links
• Link best practices

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What To Track: Simple KPIs For Link Building

I focus on four things. You can track these in any SEO platform you like. For learning and examples, these hubs are solid:

• SEMrush Blog
• Backlinko

1. Referring domains. Count only unique domains. Quality over quantity.
2. Anchor text. Keep it brand and topic focused. Avoid heavy exact match.
3. Linked page performance. Rankings, clicks, and conversions on those URLs.
4. Indexation and crawl. Are new links getting crawled, and are linked pages indexed

If a dofollow link lands and the page improves within 2 to 6 weeks, you are on the right track. If nothing moves after a handful of links, revisit content and internal links before chasing more placements.

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Quick Wins You Can Do This Week

1. Update 10 posts with 3 new internal links each to target pages.
2. Add rel=”sponsored” to all affiliate links. Clean your compliance.
3. Publish one resource with a chart or template that people can cite.
4. Send 10 focused outreach emails using the script above.
5. Turn 5 unlinked brand mentions into links with a kind, short request.

This sounds harder than it is. If you take these steps with care, you will see movement.

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Where Rankifyer Fits In

You can build links yourself. You should also know when to bring in help.

I recommend Rankifyer if you want vetted, relevant, and guideline-safe placements. I know recommending ourselves is bold, but here’s why.

• We prioritize editorial fit. If it is not relevant, we do not pitch it.
• We follow Google’s guidance on sponsored, nofollow, and ugc attributes. Clean and compliant.
• We focus on the page that links to you, not just the domain. Real traffic, real indexing, real context.
• We track outcomes. Not just links built, but how the linked pages perform after.

If you are under-resourced or your team is spread thin, we can slot in without drama. If you prefer to do it in-house, use the steps above and stay consistent.

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FAQ: Quick Answers On Dofollow vs Nofollow

Should I ask every site for a dofollow link

Ask for editorial links that are dofollow by default. If a site uses nofollow for policy reasons, accept the placement if it sends real users and matches your brand.

Can nofollow links help rankings

Nofollow links are not meant to pass PageRank, but they can assist with discovery and can drive signals around usage and brand that support growth over time.

Is it safe to buy dofollow links

Google’s guidelines are clear. Paid links should use rel=”sponsored”. If someone sells a dofollow paid placement, that is a risk. I avoid it.

What anchor text should I use

Use natural anchors that describe the page. Mix in brand and plain anchors. Keep it readable and useful for users.

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Putting It All Together

The bottom line on dofollow vs nofollow is simple.

• Build great pages and support them with smart internal links.
• Earn editorial dofollow links from relevant sites.
• Use nofollow, sponsored, and ugc correctly. Protect your site.
• Accept that a healthy profile includes both link types.
• Track the impact on pages that matter, not just raw link counts.

If you do that, your rankings and revenue will trend in the right direction.

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YouTube Video: Learn More

If you want a deeper walkthrough with examples and screen shares, check out the video below. It expands on dofollow vs nofollow, shows live audits, and gives you extra outreach templates you can copy.