If you're diving into SEO and looking to improve your search engine rankings, understanding the difference between DoFollow and NoFollow links is crucial. Whether you're building backlinks, planning your internal linking structure, or evaluating referral traffic from other websites, these two link types play a major role. They influence your website’s authority and your position in search results—all things that impact your visibility in a crowded online market. If you're actively working on Link Building Strategies UAE, knowing how to use DoFollow and NoFollow links is essential to get the most bang for your buck.
This guide will break it down for you in a straightforward way. You don’t need to be an SEO wizard to understand it. Whether you’re a business owner launching a new site or a marketing executive managing content campaigns, this will help you make smarter choices about the links pointing in and out of your website.
What Are DoFollow Links?
Let’s start with the basics. A DoFollow link is a hyperlink that passes “link juice” or SEO value from one site to another. Essentially, when a website links to yours with a DoFollow link, it’s like a vote of confidence in the eyes of search engines.
Here’s what you need to know about DoFollow links:
- They help with search engine rankings.
- They tell Google: "Hey, I trust this site."
- They can drive organic traffic if placed on high-authority and relevant websites.
By default, all links are DoFollow unless specifically marked differently. That's part of why link building matters—high-quality DoFollow backlinks can boost your website’s domain authority significantly.
What Are NoFollow Links?
On the flip side, NoFollow links tell search engines not to pass along link equity. They still function like any other clickable link to a user, but they don’t contribute much (if anything) to SEO in terms of rankings.
NoFollow links are used when:
- A site wants to link to another, but doesn't want to endorse it.
- There are user-generated links like blog comments or forum posts.
- Paid links or sponsored content needs to stay neutral in Google's eyes.
To create a NoFollow link, the rel="nofollow" attribute is added inside the HTML anchor tag. Users don’t see a difference, but Google does.
Key Differences Between DoFollow & NoFollow Links
Here’s a quick overview to help you distinguish the two:
| Feature | DoFollow Link | NoFollow Link |
|---|---|---|
| Passes Link Juice | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Impacts SEO Rankings | ✅ Yes | ❌ Minimal |
| Google Follows It | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Common Use Case | Organic backlinks, internal pages | Paid/sponsored content, blog comments |
While DoFollow links are more "valuable" from a technical SEO perspective, NoFollow links still serve a purpose. They can generate traffic and brand awareness—even if they don’t juice up your domain authority.
Why DoFollow Links Matter for Your Website
If SEO is a key part of your marketing strategy (and it should be), DoFollow links are your bread and butter. They tell search engines that your site is authoritative and trustworthy, especially when the links come from high-quality sources.
Here’s how they benefit your website:
- Improve your search rankings by signaling value and trust.
- Boost domain authority over time.
- Drive referral traffic that could lead to more business.
- Increase brand visibility among target audiences.
But remember, links from spammy or irrelevant websites can hurt your SEO—even if they’re DoFollow. Quality always beats quantity when it comes to backlinks.
When Should You Use NoFollow Links?
Even though NoFollow links don't help your SEO rankings directly, they do have a time and place. You should use NoFollow links when:
- Linking to sponsored or paid content.
- Allowing user-generated content like blog comments or forum posts.
- Linking to untrusted or unfamiliar sources where you want to avoid a penalty.
Also, it's not always about SEO. A NoFollow link on a high-traffic site can still deliver visitors, even if it doesn’t improve your domain authority. That’s valuable in its own right.
How to Check if a Link is DoFollow or NoFollow
Wondering whether a link is helping your SEO or not? There are a few easy ways to find out.
Here’s how:
1. Use Browser Extensions
- NoFollow Simple for Chrome shows tags in real-time.
- Check My Links highlights DoFollow and NoFollow on any webpage.
2. Manually Inspect the HTML
Right-click a link and click "Inspect." If you see rel="nofollow" in the code, it’s a NoFollow link. If not, it’s DoFollow by default.
3. Use SEO Tools
- Ahrefs, SEMRush, and Moz can show you a breakdown of DoFollow vs. NoFollow links in your backlink profile.
Balancing Both Link Types in Your Strategy
Now here’s the trick: you want both DoFollow and NoFollow links. Why? Because a natural backlink profile includes both.
Google expects this. If your site only has DoFollow links, it looks suspicious—maybe even manipulated. A healthy backlink strategy includes a mix, with an emphasis on:
- High-quality DoFollow backlinks from reputable, relevant sites.
- NoFollow links from active communities, social media platforms, and directories.
How to Get More DoFollow Links
This is the part where the rubber meets the road. Gaining more DoFollow links should be part of your ongoing SEO strategy. Here are some effective methods:
1. Create Link-Worthy Content
- Publish in-depth guides, statistics, and research.
- Write guest posts on high-authority blogs in your niche.
2. Outreach to Industry Blogs
- Build relationships with site owners and editors.
- Offer value in exchange for a link—like an expert quote or infographic.
3. Be Active in Your Niche
- Comment on blogs, join forums, and participate in conversations—naturally earning links as part of the process.
4. Leverage Digital PR
- Pitch stories to online media publications.
- Create attention-grabbing content and get it covered on news sites.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between DoFollow and NoFollow links isn’t just for SEO pros—it’s essential knowledge for anyone managing a website or building an online presence. DoFollow links carry the SEO weight, helping you rank better and attract visitors, while NoFollow links still provide value by referring traffic and keeping your backlink profile natural.
If you’re looking to grow your site’s authority and visibility, make DoFollow links a key part of your strategy—but don’t neglect NoFollow where it makes sense. And if you're focusing on Link Building Strategies UAE, understanding how to blend these link types effectively is what sets you apart from the competition online.
