In the ever-evolving world of SEO, Dofollow vs Nofollow Links remain one of the most critical factors determining a website’s authority, credibility, and overall search engine ranking. High-quality backlinks, whether internal or external links, can significantly boost domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and overall organic traffic, while low-quality or spammy links may harm your site’s credibility. At EnterBacklink, we understand the challenges marketers face when building a strong backlink profile and navigating the complex landscape of link equity, link juice, and SEO metrics.
One question that consistently arises is: “Which link type actually counts for SEO?” In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the distinctions between Dofollow and Nofollow links, explore how each affects link equity, referral traffic, and SERP ranking, and provide actionable best practices to help you develop a balanced, high-quality backlink profile. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to leverage both link types strategically for long-term SEO success and maximum website authority.
What Are Backlinks?
Before diving into Dofollow and Nofollow links, it’s essential to understand what backlinks are and why they matter in SEO. Backlinks, also known as inbound links, occur when one website links to another, signaling trust and relevance to search engines. They are a key component of off-page SEO and can significantly influence a website’s visibility and ranking in search results.
Backlinks can be classified into internal links, which connect different pages within your own website, and external links, which point from one domain to another. While internal links help with site structure and navigation, external backlinks are more influential for building authority and credibility online.
The value of a backlink is not just in the clickable connection; it lies in the link juice it passes, contributing to domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and ultimately, organic traffic. High-quality backlinks from authoritative and relevant websites can dramatically boost search engine rankings, whereas low-quality, spammy, or irrelevant links may actually harm your site’s SEO performance.
Backlinks come in many forms, including natural backlinks earned through quality content, guest posting links from other websites, influencer backlinks that leverage social authority, and paid links. Understanding the type, source, and quality of backlinks is crucial because not all links are equal—some provide direct SEO value, while others offer more indirect benefits like referral traffic and brand exposure.
Understanding Dofollow Links
Dofollow links are the default type of hyperlink on the web. Unless specified otherwise with a rel="nofollow" attribute, any link you create automatically acts as a Dofollow link. These links essentially tell search engines, “This website is trustworthy; pass ranking power to it.” In other words, Dofollow links transfer link equity, also known as link juice, from one site to another, making them a critical factor in off-page SEO.
How Dofollow Links Impact SEO?
Dofollow links have a direct effect on your website’s search engine rankings. When a high-authority website links to your page, it acts as a vote of confidence in your content, signaling to Google and other search engines that your website is relevant and credible. This can positively influence your domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and overall organic traffic.
For instance, imagine a well-known tech blog linking to your SEO guide using relevant anchor text. Not only does this link pass link equity, but it also enhances your site’s credibility in the eyes of both search engines and users. Additional semantic keywords related to Dofollow links include outbound links, HTML link attributes, and high-authority backlinks.
Benefits of Dofollow Links
- Pass link equity to the target site, directly improving SEO rankings.
- Boost organic traffic and visibility in search results.
- Enhance credibility and authority within your niche or industry.
- Support long-term SEO strategies, contributing to sustainable growth.
While Dofollow links are highly valuable, quality always matters more than quantity. High-quality Dofollow links should come from relevant, authoritative domains rather than low-quality or spammy websites. By prioritizing trusted sources in your link building strategy, you ensure that each Dofollow link contributes meaningfully to your website’s authority and long-term SEO success.
Understanding Nofollow Links
Nofollow links are hyperlinks that include a special HTML attribute: rel="nofollow". This attribute instructs search engines not to pass link equity or ranking power to the target page. Introduced by Google in 2005, Nofollow links were originally designed to combat spam, particularly in blog comments, forums, and other user-generated content. Unlike Dofollow links, they do not directly influence domain authority (DA) or page authority (PA), but they still play an important role in a well-rounded SEO strategy.
Why Nofollow Links Matter?
Even though Nofollow links don’t directly boost SEO rankings, they provide several indirect benefits that contribute to your website’s overall authority and visibility:
- Referral traffic: Users clicking these links can still visit your site, often from highly relevant communities or platforms.
- Brand exposure: Being mentioned or linked from reputable websites enhances your brand recognition and credibility.
- Backlink profile diversification: A natural mix of Dofollow and Nofollow links signals a balanced and authentic backlink profile to search engines, which is less likely to trigger penalties.
For example, a Nofollow link from a popular social media platform or industry forum may not pass SEO authority directly, but it can generate high-quality traffic, increase user engagement, and even lead to potential conversions. Semantic keywords associated with Nofollow links include rel tag, link attribute, external links, and meta tags.
When to Use Nofollow Links?
- Paid links or sponsored content: To comply with Google’s guidelines and avoid penalties.
- Low-trust or unverified domains: Links from these sites should not pass SEO value.
- Blog comments, forums, and user-generated content: To prevent spam from affecting your site’s credibility.
Strategically using Nofollow links allows your website to benefit from traffic, exposure, and user engagement without risking penalties from Google’s SpamBrain system. By balancing Nofollow and Dofollow links, you can maintain a healthy backlink profile that supports both SEO growth and brand visibility.
Dofollow vs Nofollow: Key Differences
Understanding the distinctions between Dofollow and Nofollow links is essential for creating a strong and effective link building strategy. While both types of backlinks contribute to your website’s visibility, they serve different purposes and impact SEO in unique ways.
Here’s a detailed side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Dofollow Links | Nofollow Links |
|---|---|---|
| Pass SEO value | Yes – directly passes link equity and contributes to domain authority (DA) and page authority (PA) | No – does not pass SEO value directly, but can still influence referral traffic and brand recognition |
| Referral traffic | Yes – users clicking the link can visit your site | Yes – valuable for attracting visitors from forums, social media, and niche communities |
| Impact on Domain Authority / Page Authority | Positive – strengthens overall SEO metrics | Minimal or indirect – may help indirectly through traffic, engagement, and backlink profile diversification |
| Best use | High-authority backlinks, guest posts, editorial links | Sponsored content, blog comments, forums, social media mentions |
| Anchor text relevance | Critical – optimized anchor text improves keyword relevance and ranking | Less critical – anchor text has limited impact on SEO, mainly affects user experience |
In short, Dofollow links “count” in terms of SEO ranking, link juice, and authority transfer, making them a crucial part of any serious link building campaign. On the other hand, Nofollow links are still valuable for generating referral traffic, increasing brand exposure, and maintaining a natural, diversified backlink profile, which is essential for long-term SEO health.
Understanding these differences allows you to leverage both link types strategically, ensuring your website benefits from high-quality link equity while also gaining visibility and engagement through Nofollow backlinks.
When Does a Link “Count” in SEO?
Not all backlinks are created equal. While the type of link—Dofollow or Nofollow—plays a role, Google evaluates links based on several deeper factors, including quality, relevance, and trustworthiness. A Dofollow link from a low-quality or spammy website may provide little to no SEO value, whereas a Nofollow link from a highly reputable and authoritative site can still bring significant indirect benefits such as referral traffic and brand visibility.
Key Factors That Determine If a Link Counts:
- Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA)
Links from websites with high DA and PA pass more credibility and are more likely to influence search rankings. Even Nofollow links from such sites can indirectly enhance your site’s trust flow and visibility. - Relevance of the Linking Content
Links placed on content relevant to your niche or industry carry more weight. Search engines consider context to determine whether a backlink is natural and valuable. - Link Placement
Contextual links embedded within the main content of a page are more powerful than links placed in footers, sidebars, or author bios, which tend to have less impact on ranking. - Diversity of Backlink Profile
A healthy mix of Dofollow and Nofollow links signals a natural backlink profile. Over-reliance on one type may look manipulative to search engines and reduce credibility. - Spam Score of the Linking Domain
Avoid backlinks from domains with high spam scores. Links from untrustworthy or irrelevant sites can harm your SEO rather than help it.
A balanced backlink profile ensures your website is recognized as credible, authoritative, and trustworthy, even if not every link directly passes link juice. At EnterBacklink, we emphasize that effective link building is about both direct SEO value from Dofollow links and indirect benefits from Nofollow links. By strategically acquiring and managing backlinks based on these factors, you can maximize your site’s authority, traffic, and long-term search engine performance.
Best Practices for Using Dofollow & Nofollow Links
Effectively managing both Dofollow and Nofollow links is essential for a successful SEO strategy. The goal is not just to accumulate backlinks, but to build a natural, high-quality, and authoritative link profile that improves search rankings while maintaining credibility. Here are the best practices recommended by EnterBacklink:
Balance Dofollow and Nofollow Links
A natural backlink profile contains a healthy mix of Dofollow and Nofollow links. Overloading your site with only Dofollow links may appear manipulative to search engines and raise red flags, while incorporating Nofollow links adds diversity and signals authenticity. Both link types serve important roles: Dofollow for SEO value and Nofollow for referral traffic, brand exposure, and natural backlink patterns.
Focus on Link Quality, Not Quantity
High-authority backlinks from reputable and relevant websites are far more valuable than hundreds of low-quality links. Prioritize links from domains with strong domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and good trust flow. Low-quality or spammy backlinks may harm your SEO performance and reduce your website’s credibility.
Diversify Your Link Sources
Relying on a single type of backlink or a single platform is risky. Spread your link building efforts across guest posting, influencer outreach, social media, forums, and niche communities. Diversification not only reduces risk but also increases opportunities for traffic, engagement, and brand recognition.
Audit Your Backlink Profile Regularly
Regular monitoring of your backlink profile is crucial. Use SEO tools to check metrics such as trust flow, citation flow, and referral traffic, and identify low-quality or toxic links. Removing or disavowing harmful links can protect your site from penalties and maintain a clean, authoritative backlink profile.
Use Relevant Anchor Text
For Dofollow links, anchor text is critical. It should be descriptive, contextually relevant, and optimized for your target keywords without appearing spammy. Proper anchor text helps search engines understand the linked content and boosts keyword relevance, improving your SERP ranking. For Nofollow links, anchor text matters more for user experience and readability than SEO impact.
By following these best practices, you can create a strategic and sustainable link building plan that drives long-term SEO success. Proper management of both Dofollow and Nofollow links ensures that your website benefits from direct SEO value, referral traffic, and enhanced brand authority, positioning you for sustainable growth in search rankings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced marketers can make errors when managing Dofollow and Nofollow links. These mistakes can undermine SEO efforts, reduce domain authority, or even lead to penalties from Google. By understanding and avoiding common pitfalls, you can maintain a healthy and effective backlink profile.
Buying Low-Quality Backlinks
Purchasing backlinks from PBNs (Private Blog Networks) or spammy websites may seem like a quick shortcut, but it often backfires. Low-quality links can harm your domain authority (DA), reduce page authority (PA), and trigger penalties from Google’s SpamBrain algorithm. Always prioritize organic, high-authority backlinks from relevant and trusted sources.
Overusing Keyword-Rich Anchor Texts
Using exact-match or overly optimized anchor texts excessively can appear manipulative to search engines. This practice may lead to algorithmic penalties and negatively impact your rankings. Instead, use natural, contextually relevant anchor text for Dofollow links and focus on readability for Nofollow links.
Neglecting Nofollow Links
Many marketers underestimate the value of Nofollow links. While they don’t pass direct SEO value, they contribute to referral traffic, brand exposure, and backlink diversity—all factors that support long-term SEO success. Ignoring Nofollow links can result in a less natural backlink profile.
Focusing on Quantity Over Quality
Acquiring a large number of backlinks is not enough. A few high-quality, authoritative links are far more beneficial than hundreds of low-quality ones. Always assess a link’s relevance, trustworthiness, and placement before including it in your strategy.
Failing to Audit Your Backlink Profile
Regularly auditing your backlinks is essential. Toxic or irrelevant links, if left unchecked, can damage your SEO performance. Monitoring metrics such as trust flow, citation flow, and spam score helps identify harmful links and maintain a clean, authoritative backlink profile.
A strong backlink strategy balances quality, relevance, and diversity, leveraging both Dofollow and Nofollow links to maximize SEO impact. By avoiding these common mistakes, you ensure your website not only ranks higher but also maintains credibility and long-term authority in your niche.
FAQs
What is a Dofollow link?
A Dofollow link is a standard hyperlink that allows search engines to follow it and pass link equity (link juice) from one website to another. These links directly contribute to domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and SERP rankings, making them a crucial component of any SEO or link building strategy.
What is a Nofollow link?
A Nofollow link includes the HTML attribute rel="nofollow", which instructs search engines not to pass SEO value to the target page. Despite this, Nofollow links still offer valuable indirect benefits, such as generating referral traffic, improving brand exposure, and contributing to a diverse and natural backlink profile.
Should I only use Dofollow links?
No. Focusing solely on Dofollow links can make your backlink profile look unnatural to search engines. A strategic combination of Dofollow and Nofollow links ensures both direct SEO value and indirect benefits like traffic, engagement, and credibility, helping your website maintain a balanced and authoritative profile.
How many of my backlinks should be Nofollow?
There is no fixed percentage of Nofollow links that applies to every site. However, maintaining a healthy mix is recommended. Many authoritative websites naturally have between 20–50% Nofollow links, which helps demonstrate a diverse and organic backlink profile to search engines.
How can I check if a link is Dofollow or Nofollow?
You can identify link types in several ways:
- Browser developer tools: Inspect the link to see if it contains the
rel="nofollow"attribute. - SEO audit tools: Many SEO platforms can automatically analyze your backlink profile, highlighting which links are Dofollow or Nofollow.
- Browser extensions: Tools like SEO toolbars or plugins can quickly indicate link types while browsing.
By understanding these FAQs, you can make informed decisions when building or auditing your backlink strategy, ensuring a strong, credible, and SEO-friendly link profile.
Conclusion
When considering Dofollow vs Nofollow Links, the answer isn’t as simple as choosing one over the other. Dofollow links pass link equity, directly boosting domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and SERP rankings, while Nofollow links offer indirect benefits such as referral traffic, brand exposure, and a more diversified backlink profile. A successful SEO strategy balances both types, emphasizing quality, relevance, and diversity to build a strong, natural backlink profile that supports long-term growth and authority.
At EnterBacklink, we recommend a strategic approach: prioritize acquiring high-quality Dofollow links from authoritative, relevant websites while leveraging Nofollow links to enhance traffic, engagement, and brand visibility. By understanding the differences between Dofollow vs Nofollow Links and implementing best practices, you can ensure that every backlink contributes meaningfully to your website’s SEO success—either directly through link equity or indirectly through traffic, visibility, and credibility.