Understanding Dofollow Links
Dofollow links are standard hyperlinks that pass "link equity" or "link juice" from the linking site to your website. When a site with high authority links to you with a dofollow link, it essentially vouches for your content, signaling to search engines that your page is valuable and trustworthy. This vote of confidence can improve your search rankings and domain authority. Dofollow links are the default state of HTML links; no special tag is required to make them dofollow.
From an SEO perspective, dofollow links are more valuable because they directly influence your rankings. They help search engines discover your content, understand its relevance, and determine where it should rank. The anchor text in dofollow links provides contextual signals about your page's topic. Multiple dofollow links from authoritative, relevant sites using varied anchor text can significantly boost your visibility for target keywords. At Nairobi Online , we prioritize earning dofollow links from reputable sources as a core component of effective link building strategies.
The Purpose of Nofollow Links
Nofollow links contain a rel="nofollow" attribute in their HTML code, instructing search engines not to follow the link or pass link equity. Originally introduced to combat comment spam and paid links, the nofollow attribute allows webmasters to link to content without endorsing it from an SEO perspective. Blog comments, forum signatures, and user-generated content typically use nofollow links to prevent manipulation.
Despite not passing direct link equity, nofollow links shouldn't be dismissed as worthless. They drive referral traffic, increase brand visibility, and diversify your backlink profile. A natural link profile includes both dofollow and nofollow links; having only dofollow links might appear suspicious to search engines. Additionally, Google's treatment of nofollow has evolved; these links are now treated as "hints" rather than absolute directives, meaning Google may choose to consider them in certain contexts.
Strategic Differences and Applications
Quality matters more than link type in many cases. A nofollow link from a major publication like The New York Times or Forbes drives significant traffic, enhances credibility, and can lead to additional dofollow links as others discover your content through that exposure. Conversely, a dofollow link from a low-quality, spammy site can harm your SEO more than help it.
Different platforms have different policies regarding link types. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram use nofollow links, yet these platforms drive traffic and increase brand awareness. Wikipedia uses nofollow links, but earning a Wikipedia citation significantly boosts credibility and often leads to dofollow links from people who discover you there. Press releases, while sometimes containing nofollow links, generate media exposure that produces valuable dofollow links from journalists who cover your story.
Building a Balanced Link Profile
At Nairobi Online , we recommend focusing on earning high-quality links regardless of follow status, though dofollow links should be prioritized when possible. A natural backlink profile contains a mix of both types. Concentrate your link-building efforts on creating exceptional content that naturally attracts editorial dofollow links from authoritative sources in your industry.
Avoid black-hat tactics like buying dofollow links or participating in link schemes, as these violate search engine guidelines and risk penalties. Instead, earn dofollow links through legitimate methods: creating valuable content, building genuine relationships with industry peers, contributing expert insights to journalists, and guest posting on reputable platforms. When you do acquire nofollow links through activities like social media marketing or comment participation, embrace them as part of a comprehensive digital marketing strategy. The combination of dofollow links for SEO value and nofollow links for traffic and visibility creates a robust, natural-looking profile that supports long-term search success.
