Ultimate Guide to Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks: What’s the Difference?

If you are wondering what’s the difference between Dofollow and Nofollow links, you are at the right place. Using backlinks for your website can help you build strong brand authority. Backlinks are links that lead to your website from other sites.

They are a vital element of SEO, as search engines use them to determine the relevance and authority of your website. Backlinks can either be Dofollow or Nofollow. Generally, beginners may feel skeptical while deciding between Dofollow or Nofollow links. Both link types have their own purpose and impact on search engine optimization.

But it is crucial to understand that not all backlinks are created equal. When it comes to value and authority, it varies with the type of backlink you are using, i.e., Dofollow and Nofollow. That’s exactly where this guide can help you.

You will learn the differences between Dofollow vs Nofollow backlinks and ways to use them to improve your website’s search engine ranking.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

What Exactly are Backlinks?

Backlinks, also known as inbound links or incoming links. These links come from one website to another and play a crucial role in improving your SEO. Backlinks behave as an indicator to search engines that other websites consider your website to be a valuable resource.

The more high-quality backlinks a website has, the higher its ranking is likely to be. Conversely, if a website has many low-quality backlinks from spammy or low-authority websites, it can hurt the website’s ranking.

There are many ways to acquire backlinks, including guest posting on other websites, creating high-quality content that others will want to link to, and reaching out to other website owners to request a backlink. Nonetheless, it is vital to focus on building high-quality backlinks rather than simply acquiring as many as possible.

What are Dofollow Backlinks?

Links with the “dofollow” attribute are the links that transfer link authority from one domain to another. When a website links to your site with a Dofollow link, it passes a small amount of its ranking power to your site, helping to boost your search engine ranking. Dofollow links are also known as “follow” links because they allow search engines to follow the link and reach your site. Yes! These types of links help increase the value of your site too.

Example of dofollow link: <a href=”abc.com”>anchor text here</a>

What are Nofollow Backlinks?

Nofollow backlinks are links that do not pass link equity from one website to another. When a website links to your site with a Nofollow link, it does not pass any ranking power to your site. Nofollow links are also known as “unfollow” links because they do not allow search engines to follow the link and reach your site. But they are still valuable when it comes to SEO.

Example: <a href=”https://abc.com” rel=”nofollow”>anchor text here</a>

Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks: Ways To Identify Dofollow and Nofollow Backlinks

Identifying between Dofollow vs Nofollow backlinks, it gets simpler to make a difference simply by inspecting the HTML code of the linking page.

Dofollow links have no HTML attribute, while Nofollow links have the rel=”nofollow” attribute.

However, you can use various other SEO tools to check the type of backlinks pointing to your site.

Significance of Dofollow Backlinks for SEO

Dofollow backlinks are crucial for SEO because they pass link equity from one website to another. When a high-authority website links to your site with a Dofollow link, it signals to search engines that your site is a valuable resource. This can help to boost your search engine ranking and increase your visibility on SERPs.

Significance of Nofollow Backlinks for SEO

Although Nofollow backlinks do not pass link equity, they are still important for SEO. They can help to increase the visibility of your website and drive traffic. A website with a high volume of traffic links to your site with a Nofollow link can still drive referral traffic to your site, increasing your site’s visibility and potentially leading to conversions.

Ways to Build Dofollow Backlinks

Building Dofollow backlinks requires a strategic approach. Here are some ways to build Dofollow backlinks.

Guest posting: Writing high-quality articles for other websites in exchange for a link back to your website can be an effective way to build Dofollow backlinks.

Broken link building: Find broken links on other websites in your industry, and reach out to the website owner to offer a replacement link to your website.

Directory submissions: Submit your website to reputable directories in your industry that allow Dofollow links.

Infographic outreach: Create and share infographics with other websites in your industry, and include a link back to your website in the infographic.

Link reclamation: Monitor your website’s backlinks and reach out to website owners to fix any broken or incorrect links, and ask them to convert any Nofollow links to Dofollow links.

It is important to note that building Dofollow backlinks should be done in a natural and ethical manner. Make sure it does not involve purchasing links or using spammy tactics that could harm your website’s ranking. Focus on building high-quality, relevant links that provide value to both your website and the websites you are linking to.

Ways to Build Nofollow Backlinks

Considering Dofollow vs Nofollow backlinks, building Nofollow backlinks is easier than building Dofollow backlinks, as they do not require the same level of scrutiny and quality control. Nofollow backlinks can also play a role in improving a website’s search engine ranking. Nofollow backlinks are links that do not pass on authority or ranking power to the linked website. Here are some ways to build Nofollow backlinks.

Social media: Share links to your website on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. While these links are typically Nofollow, they can still drive traffic to your website and increase its visibility.

Blog commenting: Leave comments on relevant blog posts with a link back to your website. While many blog comment sections use Nofollow links, this can still be a way to engage with others in your industry and potentially drive traffic to your website.

Forum participation: Participate in online forums related to your industry and include a link to your website in your forum signature or profile. Again, while these links may be Nofollow, they can still be a way to engage with others and increase your website’s visibility.

Brand mentions: Monitor mentions of your brand or website online, and reach out to the website owner to request a link back to your website. While these links may be Nofollow, they can still help to build your brand’s online presence and drive traffic to your website.

It is important to remember that Nofollow backlinks are not as valuable for SEO purposes as Dofollow backlinks. However, they can still be valuable to a comprehensive link-building strategy.

How To Identify Whether a link is Nofollow?

When you are browsing the web, you may come across links that are labeled as “nofollow.” This means that search engines do not follow that link to index the target webpage.

However, to identify whether a link is nofollow, you can look at the HTML code of the page. If the link has a rel=”nofollow” attribute in the code, then it is a nofollow link.

Here is an example of what a nofollow link might look like in HTML code:

<a href=”https://www.example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Example Link</a>

In this example, the “rel” attribute has been set to “nofollow,” which tells search engines not to follow the link.

If the link does not have a “rel” attribute, or if the “rel” attribute is set to something other than “nofollow,” then it is a regular (follow) link.

Browser Extensions:

Browser extensions are small software programs that can be installed in your web browser to add new features and functionality. Many browser extensions are available for free, and some of them can easily highlight nofollow links on a page. Examples of browser extensions that can help you identify nofollow links include NoFollow and Link Miner.

To use a browser extension to identify nofollow links, simply install the extension in your web browser and then visit the page you want to check. The extension will highlight any nofollow links on the page, making it easy for you to identify them.

Online Tools:

There are several websites that offer free nofollow link checker tools. These tools allow you to enter the URL of a page you want to check and then scan the page to identify any nofollow links. Examples of free online backlink checker tools that can help you identify nofollow links include the MozBar and the Ahrefs Backlink Checker.

To use an online tool to identify nofollow links, simply visit the website that offers the tool and then enter the URL of the page you want to check. The tool will scan the page and highlight any nofollow links, making it easy for you to identify them.

Which Out of Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks is Good for Link Building

When it comes to link building or Dofollow vs Nofollow backlinks, Dofollow links are a powerful tool for improving your search engine ranking and driving traffic to your website. Unlike Nofollow links, which do not pass any link equity, Dofollow links can help you establish authority in your industry and earn higher rankings for your target keywords.

You need to understand that Dofollow links pass link equity from the linking website to the linked website. As a result, search engines are more likely to rank your website higher for searches related to your industry.

For example, you run a marketing agency and write a guest post for a popular marketing blog. You include a Dofollow link to your agency’s website in your guest post. Because the marketing blog is a reputable source of information in your industry, search engines are more likely to view your agency’s site as authoritative and relevant for searches related to marketing. This can help you earn higher rankings and attract more traffic to your website.

On the other end of the spectrum, Nofollow links can still be valuable for referral traffic and building relationships with other websites. Whereas Dofollow links are a powerful tool for improving your search engine ranking and driving more traffic to your website. By focusing on building high-quality, relevant, and natural Dofollow links from authoritative websites in your industry, you can establish yourself as an authority in your field and attract more customers to your business.

What Is PageRank and How Is it Affected By Dofollow Links?

PageRank is an algorithm used by Google to measure the importance and relevance of a webpage. It is based on the number and quality of backlinks pointing to the page, and it is one of the key factors that determine search engine ranking for a webpage.

Dofollow links are substantial for PageRank because they pass link equity from the linking website to the linked website. This means that when a high-authority website links to your webpage with a Dofollow link, it can significantly improve your PageRank and search engine ranking.

The impact of Dofollow links on PageRank is not just about the number of links, but also the quality of those links. Backlinks from reputable and relevant websites are more valuable than those from low-quality or irrelevant sites. Therefore, it is required to focus on building high-quality Dofollow links that will have a positive impact on your PageRank.

On the flip side, Nofollow links do not pass link equity and do not have a direct impact on PageRank. However, Nofollow links can still be valuable for referral traffic and building relationships with other websites.

All-in-all, Dofollow links play a crucial role in PageRank and search engine ranking. By understanding how they work and focusing on building high-quality links, you can improve your website’s visibility and drive more traffic to your business.

Happy Link-Building!

Dofollow vs. Nofollow Backlinks – Wrap Up

The comparison between Dofollow vs. Nofollow backlinks boils down to the objective of your link-building. Dofollow and Nofollow backlinks are two types of links that play a crucial role in SEO. Understanding the differences between Dofollow and Nofollow backlinks is crucial for any business or website looking to improve its position in SERPs and drive more traffic. While both types of links have their uses, it is required to prioritize building high-quality Dofollow links to improve PageRank and visibility in search engine results.

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