The role of Dofollow Links in SEO.

Spencer
Spencer Information Architecture, website structure and Analytics expert
The role of Dofollow Links in SEO.

A dofollow link is a regular hyperlink that doesn’t have a special attribute like “nofollow,” “ugc,” or “sponsored.” These links allow search engines to crawl them and pass on link equity to the linked site, which can improve the site’s search engine rankings. For example, when you link to another website using a standard anchor tag, like <a href="https://www.example.com">Example</a>, you’re creating a dofollow link.

The key difference between dofollow and nofollow links lies in their attributes. Dofollow links have no special attribute, whereas nofollow links include a “nofollow” attribute. This distinction is crucial because search engines treat these links differently. A dofollow link is seen as a vote of confidence, suggesting that the linked content is valuable and relevant. On the other hand, a nofollow link indicates that the linked content may not be trusted or is sponsored.

Dofollow links play a significant role in search engine optimization (SEO) for several reasons:

  • Backlink Building: Dofollow links are essential for building high-quality backlinks to your website. When other reputable sites link to your content, it’s a signal to search engines that your content is valuable and deserving of citation.
  • Internal Linking Structure: Using dofollow links in your internal linking strategy helps search engines understand your site’s structure and can improve user experience by providing easy navigation through relevant content.
  • Endorsing Content: When you link to other high-quality sites, you’re essentially endorsing their content. This can reflect positively on your site, as search engines view these endorsements as signs of a collaborative and informative web ecosystem.

Dofollow links are appropriate in the following scenarios:

  • Linking to High-Quality External Websites and Resources: When you reference or cite information from other reputable sources, using dofollow links is suitable. This practice not only adds credibility to your content but also acknowledges the original source.
  • Citing Original Research or Data: If you’re referencing original research, data, or findings from another website, a dofollow link is appropriate. This action supports academic and scientific integrity by properly citing sources.
  • Directing Readers to Additional Information or Resources: Providing additional resources or information can enhance the user experience. Using dofollow links for these purposes shows that you value giving readers access to more detailed or related content.
  • Linking to Social Media Profiles: When linking to social media profiles, dofollow links are generally used as they are seen as a natural extension of your online presence and identity.

There are instances where using a dofollow link may not be appropriate:

  • Paid or Sponsored Content: If the content is sponsored, it’s best practice to use the “sponsored” attribute. This transparency helps comply with Google’s guidelines on sponsored content.
  • User-Generated Content (UGC): For user-generated content, such as comments or forums, using the “ugc” attribute is recommended. This distinction helps search engines understand the nature of the content.
  • Untrusted or Low-Quality Websites: If you’re linking to a site that’s untrusted or of low quality, it might be wise to use a nofollow link to signal that the linked content may not be reliable.
  • Affiliate Links: For affiliate marketing links, using the “sponsored” attribute is advisable. This practice discloses the relationship between the content provider and the product/service owner.

To verify if a backlink is dofollow, you can:

  • Inspect the Link on the Page: Using developer tools in your browser, inspect the element to see the HTML code of the link. If there’s no “nofollow” or other special attribute in the anchor tag, it’s likely a dofollow link.
  • Look for Simple Anchor Text Without Any Rel Attributes: A straightforward way to identify dofollow links is by looking for standard anchor tags without any rel attributes that would indicate a nofollow or sponsored link.

Semrush offers a powerful tool for analyzing backlinks. To use it:

  • Go to Semrush’s Backlink Analytics tool and enter your domain name.
  • Navigate to the “Backlinks” tab, where you can filter links based on their attributes, including dofollow versus nofollow links. This insight helps in understanding your backlink profile and identifying opportunities for improvement.

By mastering the use of dofollow links and understanding when and how to apply them, you can significantly enhance your website’s SEO performance and user experience. Remember, the goal is to create a web ecosystem that is informative, trustworthy, and interconnected, benefiting both users and search engines alike.