1. What are do-follow links?
A do-follow link is the default type of hyperlink on the web. When you create a link from one website to another, it is naturally a do-follow link unless specified otherwise. These links tell search engines, such as Google, to follow the link to the destination website and pass on SEO value or "link juice."
Example:
<a href="https://heyjinni.com">heyJinni</a>
Purpose and benefits:
- SEO boost: Do-follow links help in improving the ranking of the linked website by passing on link equity, which is a measure of trustworthiness and relevance.
- Domain authority (DA): Acquiring do-follow backlinks from high-authority websites boosts your own domain authority.
- Traffic generation: These links not only improve search engine rankings but also drive direct traffic from users who click the link.
2. What are no-follow links?
A no-follow link is a hyperlink that contains a special attribute (rel="nofollow") in its HTML code, instructing search engines not to pass any link equity or SEO value to the linked website.
Example:
<a href="https://heyjinni.com" rel="nofollow">heyJinni</a>
Purpose and bnenefits:
- Link control: No-follow links are primarily used when the linking site does not want to endorse the destination page. This could be due to reasons like sponsored content, user-generated links, or low trust in the destination site.
- Combating spam: They help prevent spammy sites from gaining SEO benefits through comment sections, forums, and other user-generated content areas.
- Referral traffic: Despite not passing SEO value, no-follow links can still drive referral traffic if users click on them.
3. Key differences between do-follow and no-follow links
| Feature | Do-follow | No-follow |
|---|---|---|
| Link equity | Passes SEO value to the linked site | Does not pass SEO value |
| Search engine crawling | Search engines follow the link to the destination | Search engines do not follow the link (in most cases) |
| Use case | Typically used for trusted, relevant, and authoritative sites | Used for untrusted sites, sponsored content, or user-generated links |
| Impact on SEO | Positively impacts the linked site's SEO | No direct impact on the linked site's SEO |
4. Best practices: when to use do-follow and no-follow links
Use do-follow links when:
- Linking to trusted, high-quality websites that provide relevant information to your audience.
- Linking to pages that contribute positively to your site's user experience.
- You want to help improve the ranking of websites you find credible.
Use no-follow links when:
- The link is part of sponsored content or a paid partnership.
- You’re linking to untrusted or user-generated content, like in blog comments or forums.
- You do not want to pass link equity to the linked site for competitive reasons.
5. Common misconceptions
- No-follow links are useless: While no-follow links don’t pass SEO value, they still contribute to referral traffic and visibility.
- Do-follow links always boost SEO: Simply acquiring do-follow links isn't enough. The quality of the linking site and the context in which the link appears also matter.
6. Recent changes in SEO guidelines
Google has evolved in how it treats no-follow links. In 2019, it introduced the concept of link attributes like rel="ugc" (user-generated content) and rel="sponsored". These attributes offer more granular control over link classification. Google now also treats no-follow links as "hints" rather than directives, meaning they may still follow some no-follow links for crawling and indexing purposes, depending on the context.
7. Potential risks and harms
- Do-follow links: Excessive linking to low-quality, spammy, or irrelevant sites can lead to penalties from search engines, as it may be seen as an attempt to manipulate search rankings.
- No-follow links: Over-relying on no-follow links when you could be using do-follow links can prevent you from building valuable SEO authority.
8. Conclusion
Both do-follow and no-follow links have their place in an effective SEO strategy. Do-follow links are essential for passing SEO value and improving search rankings, while no-follow links help maintain the integrity of your site by controlling the flow of link equity. A balanced approach, using each type strategically, ensures your website gains authority without risking penalties.
By understanding the purpose and appropriate use of both link types, you can optimize your website's link-building efforts and ensure sustainable SEO growth.
| Publisher | dhulqarnain |
| heyJinni page link | https://heyjinni.com/shulqarnain |
| heyJinni profile link | https://heyjinni.com/dhulqarnain2hk |
| Disclaimer | The views expressed in this article are the author’s own. |
