Dofollow vs Nofollow Links: What’s the Difference?

If you have spent any time digging into SEO, you have probably come across the terms dofollow and nofollow links. At first glance, they might seem like just technical jargon, but understanding the difference between these two link types is crucial if you care about your website’s rankings, visibility, or authority.

Let us break it all down so you can confidently use both link types to your advantage.

What Are Dofollow and Nofollow Links?

In simple terms, both dofollow and nofollow are attributes you can assign to hyperlinks. They tell search engines whether or not to “follow” a link and pass SEO value (also called link juice) to the target page.

• Dofollow links allow search engines to follow them and give SEO credit to the linked page.
• Nofollow links prevent search engines from passing link authority to the destination.

They look almost identical to users, but under the hood, they send very different signals to search engines like Google.

Why Does This Matter for SEO?

Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors in SEO.

When high-authority websites link to your content using dofollow links, they are essentially vouching for your site’s credibility. That can improve your rankings and increase organic traffic.

But not all backlinks help you equally, and that is where the dofollow vs nofollow distinction becomes key.

Quick Comparison: Dofollow vs Nofollow Links

Here is a side-by-side breakdown of how these two link types work:

Real-Life Examples of Each

Let us bring this to life with two quick examples.

Example of Dofollow Link

If a blog writes a review about your business and links to your homepage using a dofollow link, that backlink boosts your domain authority and can help your app rank better in search results.

Example of Nofollow Link

If you drop a link to a website in a comment section or on a forum, that link is usually marked as nofollow. It will not pass SEO value, but it could still drive valuable referral traffic if readers click on it.

When to Use Dofollow vs Nofollow

Most of the time, you do not need to manually add the dofollow attribute as it is the default. But knowing when to use or expect a nofollow link is important.

Use dofollow when:

• Linking to trusted, relevant sources.
• You want to give SEO credit to another site.
• You are doing editorial linking (not paid or promotional).

Use nofollow when:

• Linking to untrusted content (e.g., user-generated content, forums).
• Running paid sponsorships, affiliate links, or ads.
• You are uncertain about the quality of the site you are linking to.

Do Nofollow Links Have Any SEO Value?

Short answer: yes, but not in the same way dofollow links do.

While they do not directly boost your rankings, nofollow links can:

• Drive real traffic to your site.
• Lead to dofollow backlinks if the right people discover your content.
• Help with visibility and brand awareness.

So, do not dismiss them, especially if they come from high-traffic or niche-relevant platforms.

✅ Pro Tip: Google announced in 2019 that it may treat nofollow links as “hints” rather than strict rules. That means it might decide to follow and count them, but there is no guarantee.

Source: Google Search Central

How to Check If a Link Is Dofollow or Nofollow

You do not need to know how to code. Here are two easy ways:

1. Use a Chrome Extension

You can install any SEO-related browser extension that highlights nofollow links on a webpage. These tools typically outline or label nofollow links visually so you can spot them at a glance.

2. Right-click and Inspect

Right-click the link → Inspect → Look for rel="nofollow" in the HTML tag.

Where You Commonly Find Nofollow Links

Not all links are created equal, and some platforms automatically apply the nofollow tag. Here are a few:

Best Practices for Link Building

Want to build a healthy backlink profile? Focus on quality, not just quantity. Here is how:

• Earn dofollow links through great content, digital PR, guest posts, and link-worthy assets (like data studies).
• Diversify your links. A natural backlink profile includes both dofollow and nofollow links.
• Avoid link schemes. Buying dofollow links or using shady tactics could lead to penalties.

Use Both Dofollow and Nofollow Links Strategically

Dofollow links pass SEO value, while nofollow links (mostly) do not, but both serve a purpose. Think of dofollow as your SEO fuel, and nofollow as your traffic insurance.

Smart SEO is not just about chasing one or the other. It is about knowing how they work, using them responsibly, and focusing on long-term value over quick wins. To boost your site rankings, both on-page and off-page SEO strategies is important.

If you need help building a strong, ethical link profile or developing a scalable SEO strategy that works, Ematic Solutions can support your digital growth with data-driven expertise and results-focused execution.

Want to Know More About SEO Link Building? Contact Us Now for a Free Website Audit!