Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks
Dofollow backlinks are standard hyperlinks that pass PageRank and ranking signals when no blocking rel attribute exists. Nofollow links use rel="nofollow" to indicate they shouldn't be treated as endorsements, though Google may still crawl them.
This guide compares dofollow vs nofollow links across six critical dimensions. While dofollow links directly impact rankings, nofollow still matters for discovery and traffic. See contextual links for placement strategies.
At a glance
- PageRank Flow
- Dofollow: Yes | Nofollow: No
- Typical Sources
- Dofollow: Editorial | Nofollow: UGC/Ads
- Google Stance
- Dofollow: Endorsement | Nofollow: Hint
- Spam Risk
- Dofollow: High if bought | Nofollow: Low
Core Technical Differences
The fundamental difference lies in HTML attributes. Dofollow is the default state when a link lacks rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc". Nofollow links explicitly include the attribute to block PageRank flow.
- Dofollow: (no rel attribute)
- Nofollow:
Search engines parse these attributes during crawling to determine how to treat the link relationship.
SEO Impact Comparison
While dofollow links directly influence rankings by passing PageRank, nofollow links contribute indirectly:
- Dofollow: Counts as a vote in link graphs, impacts rankings directly
- Nofollow: May influence rankings indirectly through traffic signals or discovery
- Google's John Mueller confirmed nofollow links can help with crawling/indexing
- Nofollow still contributes to backlink profile diversity
When to Use Each Link Type
Follow Google's guidelines for proper link attribute usage:
- Use dofollow for: Editorial citations, resource pages, earned media placements
- Use nofollow for: Paid links, affiliate disclosures, untrusted UGC, comment sections
- When in doubt about whether to endorse content, default to nofollow
- For high-risk placements like paid links, nofollow is mandatory
Risks and Penalties
Improper use of link attributes can trigger manual actions:
- Dofollow risks: Penalties for bought links, unnatural patterns, excessive exact-match anchors
- Nofollow risks: Minimal unless used deceptively (e.g., hiding paid links)
- Google's 2020 update made nofollow a hint, but still expects proper disclosure
- Pure nofollow profiles may limit ranking potential but avoid penalties
Tracking and Analysis
Monitor both link types in backlink tools:
- Ahrefs/Semrush show dofollow/nofollow ratios
- Sudden spikes in dofollow links may trigger algorithmic review
- Nofollow links from authoritative sites still signal brand visibility
- Use the backlink audit process to clean profiles
Dofollow vs Nofollow: Key Attributes
Critical differences in how search engines treat these link types:
| Attribute | Dofollow | Nofollow |
|---|---|---|
| PageRank PassOfficial ranking signal treatment | Yes - passes link equity | No - blocked by attribute |
| Typical SourcesWhere each link type appears naturally | Editorial content, resource pages | UGC, ads, paid placements |
| Google StanceHow Google officially treats the link | Counts as endorsement | Treated as hint (since 2020) |
| When to PreferIdeal use cases for each type | Earned, editorial citations | Untrusted or paid content |
| Risk if BoughtPenalty potential for manipulation | High - violates guidelines | Low if properly disclosed |
| Tracking ImportanceHow to monitor in analytics | Critical for ranking impact | Important for traffic/discovery |
Arguments for
- Can pass authority and support rankings.
- Helps search engines discover and understand linked pages.
- Usually better than nofollow for pure SEO value.
- Strong editorial links can improve trust and referral traffic.
Arguments against
- Hard to earn at scale without real content or PR.
- Low-quality follow links can be worthless or harmful.
- Paid link acquisition is risky and often against Google policy.
- Not every follow link is valuable; relevance and source quality matter more than the label.
What the experts say
Google treats nofollow as a hint, but follow links are still the primary way to pass ranking signals.
High-quality follow links from relevant, authoritative sites are more valuable than raw volume.
Frequently asked questions
Do nofollow backlinks help SEO?
Indirectly. They don't pass PageRank but can drive traffic, aid discovery, and contribute to natural link profile diversity.
Can nofollow links become dofollow?
Yes, if webmasters remove the nofollow attribute. Some sites automatically convert UGC links to dofollow after moderation.
What percentage of backlinks should be nofollow?
Natural profiles typically show 60-80% dofollow. Higher nofollow ratios occur on UGC-heavy or commerce sites.
Does Google ignore nofollow links completely?
No. Google crawls them (unless blocked) and may use them for discovery, just not as direct ranking signals.
Should I nofollow all outbound links?
No. Only use nofollow for untrusted content. Editorial outbound links should remain dofollow to maintain credibility.
How do I check if a link is nofollow?
Inspect the HTML for rel="nofollow" or use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or browser developer tools.
Sources
Every factual claim on this page is drawn from the following independent sources. Links open in a new tab.
- AhrefsDefines dofollow links as links without nofollow/UGC/sponsored attributes and explains link equity transfer.
- SemrushExplains dofollow links, how to inspect rel attributes, and how backlink tools can filter follow versus nofollow.
- MorningscoreStates that nofollow is treated by Google as a hint and that by default links are dofollow unless marked otherwise.
- Google Search CentralGoogle's guidance on link crawling and how link attributes are treated as hints in modern search processing.
- Google Search CentralSpam policy context for paid links, link schemes, and manipulative backlink practices.
- SEOptimerPractical methods for earning dofollow links such as broken-link building, outreach, and mention reclamation.
- SeobilityExplains dofollow links as votes or recommendations that help search engines rank pages.
- Link-AssistantDefines dofollow links and discusses link equity and ranking influence.