Types of Backlinks: Dofollow vs. Nofollow & When to Use Them

Backlinks, also known as inbound or incoming links, are hyperlinks from one website to another. They serve as a sort of vote of confidence or endorsement from one site to another, which can significantly impact a site's search engine ranking. Search engines like Google use backlinks as one of the primary factors for determining the authority and relevance of a page. The more high-quality backlinks a site has, the better its chances of ranking well in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Backlinks can be broadly categorized into two types: Dofollow and Nofollow. Both play different roles in the world of SEO, and understanding their differences and when to use each is crucial for effective digital marketing.

Dofollow Backlinks

What Are Dofollow Backlinks?

Dofollow backlinks are the default type of backlink, meaning that unless otherwise specified, all links are considered dofollow. These links pass on link equity, also known as "link juice," to the linked site, thereby helping to improve its search engine ranking. When a search engine crawls a dofollow link, it follows the link to the destination page, indexing it and considering it as a vote of confidence from the linking site.

Importance of Dofollow Backlinks

1. Improves Search Engine Ranking: Dofollow backlinks are one of the most significant ranking factors for search engines. They signal to search engines that the content on the linked page is valuable and trustworthy.

2. Increases Organic Traffic: With improved search engine rankings, a site is more likely to attract organic traffic. Higher visibility in SERPs can lead to more clicks and visits.

3. Enhances Domain Authority: Dofollow backlinks from high-authority sites contribute to the overall domain authority of the linked site. This metric, though not officially used by search engines, is a useful indicator of a site's overall SEO strength.

4. Promotes Crawling and Indexing: Dofollow links help search engine crawlers discover new pages and content, facilitating faster indexing.

How to Get Dofollow Backlinks

• Guest Blogging: Writing high-quality content for other websites in exchange for a dofollow backlink is a common practice.

• Content Creation: Creating valuable, shareable content can naturally attract dofollow backlinks.

• Directory Submissions: Submitting your site to relevant directories can earn dofollow links.

• Forum Participation: Engaging in niche-specific forums and including dofollow links in your profile or posts.

• Social Media Sharing: Sharing your content on social media platforms can lead to other sites linking back to your content with dofollow links.

Nofollow Backlinks

What Are Nofollow Backlinks?

Nofollow backlinks contain an HTML attribute (rel="nofollow") that instructs search engines not to pass on link equity to the linked site. Essentially, nofollow links tell search engines not to follow the link or give any SEO value to the linked page. This attribute was introduced by Google in 2005 to combat spammy practices and manage the flow of link juice.

Importance of Nofollow Backlinks

1. Protects Site from Spam: Nofollow links are commonly used in user-generated content, such as comments and forums, to prevent spammers from exploiting these platforms for SEO benefits.

2. Balances Link Profile: A healthy link profile includes a mix of dofollow and nofollow backlinks. An all-dofollow link profile might look unnatural to search engines and could lead to penalties.

3. Drives Traffic: While nofollow links do not pass SEO value, they can still drive traffic to your site. Traffic from social media, forums, and other platforms using nofollow links can be significant.

4. Increases Brand Exposure: Nofollow links can increase brand visibility and awareness, leading to indirect SEO benefits such as more branded searches.

How to Get Nofollow Backlinks

• Social Media Platforms: Most social media sites automatically add the nofollow attribute to outbound links.

• Blog Comments: Engaging with blog posts and leaving thoughtful comments that include a link to your site.

• Forum Signatures: Including your site link in your forum profile signature.

• Press Releases: Some PR websites use nofollow links for outbound links in their releases.

• Directories: Some directories provide nofollow backlinks.

When to Use Dofollow and Nofollow Backlinks

When to Use Dofollow Backlinks

1. High-Quality Content: When linking to content that adds significant value to your readers, using dofollow links can provide SEO benefits to the linked site.

2. Trusted Sources: Linking to reputable and authoritative sources with dofollow links can enhance the credibility of your own content.

3. Guest Posts: If you’re contributing guest posts, request dofollow links to leverage the SEO benefits.

4. Resource Pages: Creating a resource page with dofollow links to valuable content can improve your site’s SEO as well.

When to Use Nofollow Backlinks

1. User-Generated Content: Apply nofollow attributes to links in user-generated content such as blog comments and forum posts to prevent spamming.

2. Paid Links: Google’s guidelines recommend using nofollow for paid links and sponsored content to avoid penalties.

3. Untrusted Sites: If you need to link to a site but are unsure of its credibility, use a nofollow link.

4. Press Releases and Directories: When using platforms where outbound links are typically nofollowed, maintain the nofollow attribute to stay within guidelines.

Balancing Your Backlink Profile

Why Balance Matters

A balanced backlink profile includes a mix of both dofollow and nofollow backlinks. Having only dofollow backlinks may raise red flags for search engines, as it appears unnatural and may lead to penalties. Conversely, a profile with only nofollow links may lack the necessary SEO value to improve search rankings.

Strategies for Balancing Backlinks

1. Natural Link Building: Focus on creating high-quality content that naturally attracts both dofollow and nofollow backlinks.

2. Diverse Link Sources: Get backlinks from a variety of sources, including blogs, forums, social media, directories, and news sites.

3. Monitor and Analyze: Use SEO tools to regularly monitor your backlink profile and analyze the ratio of dofollow to nofollow links. Tools like Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush can provide detailed insights.

4. Disavow Toxic Links: If you notice a high volume of low-quality or spammy links, use the disavow tool in Google Search Console to prevent potential penalties.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between dofollow and nofollow backlinks and knowing when to use each is essential for effective SEO. Dofollow backlinks are crucial for improving search engine rankings, increasing organic traffic, and enhancing domain authority. Nofollow backlinks, while not passing on SEO value, help protect your site from spam, drive traffic, and balance your link profile.

By strategically using both types of backlinks, you can create a robust and natural backlink profile that boosts your site's credibility and visibility in search engines. Regularly monitoring and analyzing your backlinks, engaging in ethical link-building practices, and maintaining a diverse link portfolio are key to long-term SEO success.