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What is a Nofollow Link and How Exactly Does It Work?

What is a nofollow link?

A nofollow link is an HTML attribute added to a hyperlink that instructs search engine crawlers not to follow and pass link equity to the website or page the link is pointing to. In simpler terms, when a website links to another website using a nofollow link, it communicates to Google’s web crawler, not to consider that link when calculating ranking position signals. This is typically used by website owners to discourage spam links or to avoid passing page rank to external sources that may harm the domain’s credibility.

The Meaning of Nofollow Links

A nofollow link is a type of link attribute that tells search engines not to follow a specific link. Essentially, it indicates to Google and other search engines that the linked website doesn’t vouch for the linked content, even though they are still linking to it. The nofollow link attribute is applied to a link using HTML code, making it an invisible characteristic of the link.

How does a nofollow link work?

When a website owner uses a nofollow attribute to link another website or page, the link still gets clicked, but there is no pagerank transfer from the linking site to the linked site. This means that the linked website would not get any credit for the link in terms of SEO or page rank because Google’s crawler will ignore the nofollow link attribute. Essentially, nofollow links tell Google web crawlers not to follow the link’s destination. This means that the linked content will not receive any value from that particular link in terms of search engine rankings. Additionally, the linked website will not pass on any “link juice” or backlink authority to the destination URL, making it less valuable from an SEO perspective.

The Three Pillars of a Nofollow Link

Despite being less valuable from a search engine perspective, nofollow links still have value. The three pillars of a nofollow link are referral traffic, branding, and broad link profiles. Referral traffic refers to the number of users clicking through from a nofollow-link source to the linked website. Because the linked content may still be valuable or relevant to the linking website’s users, those users may be encouraged to visit the destination URL. Branding refers to the benefit of being mentioned or linked to by a reputable or authoritative website, even without getting any tangible SEO benefits. Lastly, broad link profiles refer to the idea that a diverse link profile with both dofollow and nofollow links is the most natural and appealing to search engines.

Why Invest in Nofollow Links

While nofollow links might not provide direct SEO value, they still have their place in a comprehensive link building strategy. For example, having a healthy mix of dofollow and nofollow links is an important part of a natural, diverse link profile. Additionally, nofollow links can drive referral traffic and enhance your brand’s reputation. Finally, Google considers nofollow links when examining the authority and authenticity of a website and its link profile, so it is an important part of SEO strategy.

In brief

Overall, nofollow links are an essential part of a comprehensive link building strategy, providing value in terms of referral traffic, branding, and broad link profiles. While they might not have an immediate impact on search engine rankings, nofollow links can still drive traffic and provide valuable exposure to your website. If you are looking to create a natural and diverse link profile that can help you build your brand and drive traffic, nofollow links definitely belong in your toolkit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are nofollow links completely useless for SEO?
A: While nofollow links do not pass on backlink authority, they can still drive referrals and enhance your brand’s reputation, making them a valuable part of a broader SEO strategy.

Q: How do I apply nofollow attributes to links?
A: You can apply the nofollow attribute to a link using HTML code. Depending on your CMS, you may also be able to add this attribute using a plugin or a built-in feature.

Q: How can I tell if a link is nofollow or dofollow?
A: You can usually tell if a link is nofollow or dofollow by right-clicking on the link and selecting “Inspect Element” or “View Page Source.” The HTML code for the link will indicate whether it is a nofollow or dofollow link.

Q: Should I focus on nofollow or dofollow links?
A: Ideally, you should focus on building a diverse, natural link profile that includes both nofollow and dofollow links. This will help you build your brand, drive traffic, and enhance your search engine rankings.

Q: Are nofollow links completely useless for SEO?
A: While nofollow links do not pass on backlink authority, they can still drive referrals and enhance your brand’s reputation, making them a valuable part of a broader SEO strategy.

Q: How do I apply nofollow attributes to links?
A: You can apply the nofollow attribute to a link using HTML code. Depending on your CMS, you may also be able to add this attribute using a plugin or a built-in feature.

Q: How can I tell if a link is nofollow or dofollow?
A: You can usually tell if a link is nofollow or dofollow by right-clicking on the link and selecting “Inspect Element” or “View Page Source.” The HTML code for the link will indicate whether it is a nofollow or dofollow link.

Q: Should I focus on nofollow or dofollow links?
A: Ideally, you should focus on building a diverse, natural link profile that includes both nofollow and dofollow links. This will help you build your brand, drive traffic, and enhance your search engine rankings.