What is a dofollow link, and why should you care about it? Look, I get it. You’re trying to figure out this whole SEO game. Everyone’s throwing around terms like “dofollow” and “nofollow” like you’re supposed to know what they mean.
Understanding dofollow links is absolutely crucial if you want Google to actually notice your website exists.
I remember when I first started building websites. I was getting links left and right but couldn’t figure out why my rankings weren’t budging. Turns out, most of those links were nofollow. Basically worthless for SEO.
That’s when I realised the difference between a dofollow link and a nofollow link could make or break your entire strategy.
Definition of Dofollow Links
Right, let’s cut through the nonsense. What is a dofollow link? A dofollow link is simply a normal hyperlink that doesn’t have the rel=”nofollow” attribute in its HTML code. When Google’s crawlers find a dofollow link, they follow it. They pass along what’s called “link juice” or authority from one page to another.
Think of it this way. Imagine you’re at a party and someone introduces you to their mate saying, “This person is brilliant at what they do.” That’s essentially what a dofollow link does. It’s a vote of confidence that tells search engines, “Hey, this site is worth checking out.”
Here’s what the HTML looks like:
<a href=“https://example.com“>This is a dofollow link</a>
No special attributes, no fancy code. Just a straightforward link. Google treats these as endorsements and uses them to determine how authoritative and trustworthy your website is.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Every dofollow link carries weight, but not all weight is created equal. Understanding what is a dofollow link means recognising that a dofollow link from The Times carries significantly more authority than one from your mate’s blog. Sorry, mate.
This is because Google evaluates the source’s credibility, relevance, and authority before deciding how much trust to pass along.
The beauty of dofollow links lies in their simplicity. They’re the internet’s way of saying, “This content is valuable enough that I’m willing to stake my reputation on it.” And Google pays attention to these digital handshakes more than any other ranking factor.
Dofollow vs Nofollow Links
This is where most people get confused, so let me break it down properly.
Dofollow links:
- Pass SEO value (link juice) to the destination page
- Help improve search rankings
- Are followed by search engine crawlers
- Are the default type of link
Nofollow links:
- Don’t pass SEO value directly
- Include the rel=”nofollow” attribute
- Tell search engines not to follow the link
- Still drive traffic but don’t boost rankings
Here’s the kicker. Most people think nofollow links are completely useless. That’s not entirely true.
Whilst they don’t pass direct SEO value, they can still drive traffic and help with brand awareness. But if you’re playing the SEO game, dofollow links are what you’re after.
Are Nofollow Links Bad for SEO
Not bad, just less valuable. A natural link profile should have a mix of both.
If every single link to your site is dofollow, Google might get suspicious. It’s like having everyone at that party give you glowing recommendations. It starts to look a bit dodgy.
Why Dofollow Links Matter for SEO
Let me tell you why dofollow links should be your obsession.
- They directly influence search rankings Every quality dofollow link is like a vote saying your content deserves to rank higher. More votes from authoritative sites equals better rankings. It’s that simple.
- They signal authority and trust When reputable websites link to you with dofollow links, they’re essentially vouching for your credibility. Google takes these endorsements seriously because they represent real editorial decisions.
- They facilitate PageRank flow This is Google’s original algorithm at work. Dofollow links allow authority to flow from high-ranking pages to yours. This boosts your site’s overall strength in the search results.
- They drive referral traffic Beyond SEO benefits, dofollow links can send highly targeted visitors directly to your site. These visitors often convert better because they’re coming from relevant, trusted sources.
- They establish topical relevance When authoritative sites in your niche link to you, it reinforces to Google that you’re a legitimate player in that space. This topical authority is crucial for ranking competitive keywords.
I’ve seen websites jump from page 3 to page 1 simply by acquiring a handful of high-quality dofollow links from authoritative sources. It’s that powerful.
But here’s the thing most people miss. It’s not just about getting any dofollow link. The context, relevance, and authority of the linking site all play massive roles in determining the actual SEO value you’ll receive.
How to Identify Dofollow Links
You can’t manage what you can’t measure, so here’s how to spot dofollow links.
Manual method:
- Right-click on any link
- Select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”
- Look at the HTML code
- If you don’t see rel=”nofollow”, it’s a dofollow link
Using tools:
- Install SEO browser extensions like MozBar or Ahrefs SEO Toolbar
- These will highlight nofollow links, making dofollow ones easier to spot
- Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyse your backlink profile
Honestly, the manual method gets tedious quickly. Invest in proper tools. They’ll save you hours and give you insights you’d never spot manually.
Pro tip: When analysing your competitor’s backlinks, pay special attention to which sites are giving them dofollow links. These represent opportunities for your own link building efforts.
If they’re linking to your competitor with what is a dofollow link, there’s a good chance they might link to you too. Assuming your content is equally valuable.
I spend at least an hour each week checking my backlink profile. Not because I’m obsessed (okay, maybe a little). But because understanding which sites are giving you dofollow links helps you identify patterns.
You start to see which types of content earn the most valuable links. Which outreach strategies work best. Which relationships are worth nurturing.
When to Use Dofollow Links
This is where strategy comes in. You can’t just spray dofollow links everywhere and hope for the best. Google’s gotten smarter about detecting manipulative linking patterns. The last thing you want is to trigger a penalty.
Use dofollow links when:
- Linking to high-quality, relevant content that genuinely adds value
- The destination genuinely helps your readers understand a concept better
- You’re doing internal linking within your own site (this is crucial for SEO)
- The source is trustworthy and relevant to your niche
- You’re citing authoritative sources like research studies or industry reports
Consider nofollow when:
- Linking to commercial pages or affiliate links (Google’s guidelines are clear on this)
- You’re not entirely sure about the destination site’s quality or reputation
- It’s a paid or sponsored link (always disclose these properly)
- You’re linking to user-generated content that you can’t vouch for
- The link is purely for traffic purposes rather than editorial endorsement
The golden rule? Only give dofollow links when you genuinely endorse the destination. Your reputation is on the line. Google treats your linking patterns as a reflection of your site’s editorial standards.
Here’s something most people don’t realise. Your internal linking structure is just as important as external dofollow links. Every internal dofollow link helps distribute authority throughout your site.
I’ve seen sites dramatically improve their rankings just by optimising their internal linking strategy. They ensure important pages receive more link equity from what is a dofollow link structure.
Building Quality Dofollow Backlinks
Right, here’s where the rubber meets the road. Building dofollow backlinks isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about creating genuine value that other sites want to reference and share.
Create genuinely link-worthy content:
- Original research and data that provides new insights to your industry
- Comprehensive guides that become go-to resources (like this one)
- Tools and calculators that people actually use and reference
- Controversial but well-reasoned opinions that spark meaningful discussions
- Case studies showing real results and methodologies
Strategic relationship building:
- Guest posting on relevant, high-authority sites in your niche
- Building genuine relationships with industry influencers and journalists
- Participating in meaningful discussions without being overly promotional
- Attending industry events and conferences to network authentically
- Collaborating on research projects or industry reports
Community engagement that matters:
- Join industry forums and communities where your expertise is valued
- Contribute valuable insights without constantly promoting your own content
- Share your knowledge on platforms like Reddit, Quora, or industry-specific forums
- Help others solve real problems, and naturally mention your resources when relevant
- Build a reputation as someone who adds value, not just someone seeking links
Content marketing that attracts links naturally:
- Create “linkable assets” – content so valuable that others naturally want to reference it
- Develop industry reports or surveys that journalists and bloggers cite
- Build interactive tools or calculators that solve common industry problems
- Write definitive guides on complex topics that become reference materials
- Share behind-the-scenes insights that others can’t get elsewhere
Here’s what I’ve learned through years of building links. The best dofollow links come from relationships, not requests. When someone genuinely knows and trusts your work, they’re far more likely to link to it naturally.
Focus on being genuinely helpful in your industry. The quality dofollow links will follow.
The mistake most people make? They try to shortcut the relationship-building process. They send cold outreach emails asking for links without providing any value first. That’s like asking someone to marry you on the first date. It’s not going to end well.
Common Dofollow Link Mistakes
Let me save you from the mistakes I see people making every single day.
Mistake #1: Obsessing over quantity over quality I’ve seen people celebrate getting 100 dofollow links from low-quality directories. Then wonder why their rankings actually dropped. Google’s algorithm has evolved. It’s better to have 10 high-quality dofollow links than 100 rubbish ones.
Mistake #2: Ignoring relevance Getting a dofollow link from a high-authority site sounds great until you realise it’s completely irrelevant to your niche. Understanding what is a dofollow link means knowing that a dofollow link from a cooking blog to your financial services site isn’t going to help much. It might actually hurt.
Mistake #3: Buying links from dodgy networks Yes, you can buy dofollow links. No, you shouldn’t. Google’s gotten incredibly sophisticated at identifying paid link networks. When they catch you using fake what is a dofollow link schemes, the penalties are brutal.
Mistake #4: Neglecting anchor text diversity If every dofollow link to your site uses the exact same keyword as anchor text, that’s a red flag for Google. Natural linking patterns include branded anchors, generic phrases, and varied keyword combinations.
Mistake #5: Forgetting about internal dofollow links Your internal linking structure is completely under your control. Yet most people ignore it. Strategic internal dofollow links can dramatically improve your site’s SEO performance.
Final Thoughts on Dofollow Links
What is a dofollow link? It’s your ticket to better search rankings, increased authority, and more organic traffic. But it’s not about collecting as many as possible. It’s about earning quality dofollow links from relevant, authoritative sources.
Stop chasing quantity and start focusing on quality. Build relationships, create outstanding content, and the dofollow links will come naturally.
If you’re serious about building a proper link strategy but don’t have the time or expertise, that’s where agencies like Goldie Agency come in. They specialise in helping businesses earn high-quality dofollow backlinks through genuine relationship building and content marketing.
Understanding what is a dofollow link is just the first step in that journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What’s the difference between dofollow and nofollow links?
Dofollow links pass SEO value and authority to the linked page, helping improve search rankings. Nofollow links include a rel=”nofollow” attribute that tells search engines not to pass authority, though they can still drive traffic.
2. How many dofollow links do I need for good SEO?
There’s no magic number. Quality trumps quantity every time. A few high-authority dofollow links from relevant sites are worth more than hundreds of low-quality ones. Focus on earning links from reputable sources in your industry.
3. Can I convert nofollow links to dofollow links?
You can’t directly change links that other sites have created. However, you can reach out to the site owner and explain why the link would be more valuable as dofollow, though there’s no guarantee they’ll make the change.
4. Do internal links need to be dofollow?
Yes, internal links should generally be dofollow unless you have a specific reason to nofollow them. Internal dofollow links help distribute authority throughout your site and improve your overall SEO structure.
5. Are all social media links nofollow?
Most major social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) use nofollow links by default. However, these links can still drive significant traffic and brand awareness, even without direct SEO benefits.
