You've spent countless hours creating killer content, reaching out to influencers, and guest posting on reputable sites. But despite your efforts, your rankings aren't budging. What gives?
The answer might lie in the type of links you're building.
Here's the deal: Not all links are created equal. Some pass on the SEO juice that Google craves, while others... well, they're more like a cold cup of tea. But don't worry, we're about to turn up the heat on your SEO strategy.
This guide will dive deep into the world of dofollow and nofollow links. We'll show you how to harness their power, avoid common pitfalls, and ultimately, skyrocket your on- and off-page SEO performance. Let's get started!
What Are Dofollow and Nofollow Links?
Dofollow links are the heavyweight champions of the link world. When a website links to you with a dofollow link, it’s essentially giving you a big thumbs up in front of Google. These bad boys pass on what we call “link equity” or “link juice” - think of it as a vote of confidence. The more high-quality dofollow links you have pointing to your site, the more Google thinks, “Hey, this site must be pretty darn good!”
Now, let’s talk about nofollow links. These guys often get a bad rap, but they’re not the villains some people make them out to be. A nofollow link is like a friend introducing you at a party but adding, “Don’t tell them I sent you.” It doesn’t pass on link juice, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. Nofollow links came into the picture back in 2005 when comment spam was running rampant.
Why Are Dofollow Links Important?
These links are like rocket fuel for your SEO efforts, signaling to Google that your content is valuable, trustworthy, and worth ranking higher. Dofollow backlinks are crucial for signaling to Google that your content is valuable.
Think about it this way: If you’ve got a bunch of respected websites pointing dofollow links at your content, it’s like having a crowd of industry experts all shouting, “Hey, this person knows their stuff!” Google’s algorithm picks up on these signals and thinks, “Well, if all these reputable sites are vouching for this content, it must be pretty darn good.”
For this to happen, you must earn a dofollow link from high-authority sites. This is easier said than done, of course. However, the more of these you collect, the more Google sees you as an authority in your niche. And when Google thinks you’re an authority, good things happen. Your rankings improve, your organic traffic increases, and suddenly, you’re playing in the big leagues.
Why Are Nofollow Links Important?
You might think, “If dofollow links are so great, why should I care about nofollow links?” Well, nofollow backlinks have their advantages, and it’s time we gave them the credit they deserve.
For one, while nofollow backlinks might not pass link juice, they can still drive traffic to your site and enhance visibility.
Imagine getting a nofollow link from a massive publication like Forbes or The New York Times. Sure, it won’t directly boost your rankings, but the flood of visitors clicking through? That’s pure gold.
Think about it this way: would you rather have a dofollow link from a tiny blog nobody reads, or a nofollow link from a site with millions of monthly visitors? Sometimes, the traffic itself is worth more than any SEO benefit. Plus, if your content is top-notch, those visitors might stick around, share it, or even link to you themselves.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Historically, nofollow links were seen as worthless for SEO. But the game has changed.
Google introduced the nofollow attribute as a way for webmasters to say, “Hey, I can’t vouch for this link.” Link attributes like rel='nofollow', rel='sponsored', and rel='ugc' play a crucial role in SEO by helping webmasters manage links based on their purpose, such as combating spam and managing paid links.
Source: Moz
This shift has big implications for your SEO strategy. While you shouldn’t rely solely on nofollow links, they can contribute to your site’s overall visibility and credibility. It’s like having a diverse investment portfolio - you want a mix of different assets to maximize your returns and minimize your risk.
Nofollow links aren’t just about what you receive but also about how you link out. Using nofollow attributes on certain outbound links in your site is like telling Google, “Hey, I’m linking to this site, but I’m not necessarily endorsing it.” This is crucial for things like user-generated content, comment sections, sponsored content, paid partnerships, and affiliate links.
Google’s pretty clear on this: if money changed hands for a link, it needs to be nofollow. It’s not just about playing by the rules - it’s about avoiding Google penalties that could tank your rankings faster.
Building a Natural Backlink Profile
Dofollow links are crucial for creating a natural-looking link profile. Google’s not stupid - they know if you’re trying to game the system with a bunch of artificial links.
A healthy mix of dofollow and nofollow external links from various sources - blogs, news sites, industry publications - shows Google that you’re earning links correctly.
But here’s a thing that many SEO newbies don’t know: Having only dofollow links can actually look suspicious to Google. It’s like showing up to a party in a tuxedo when everyone else is in jeans - you stick out like a sore thumb.
So, don’t shy away from nofollow opportunities - they’re an important part of a balanced link diet.
A natural link profile has a mix of dofollow and nofollow links. It shows Google that you’re not just out there hunting for SEO juice, but that you’re a legitimate site earning links organically.
It’s like having a diverse investment portfolio; it spreads your risk and increases your chances of long-term success. So don’t just focus on quantity-aim for quality and variety in your dofollow links.
How to Build High-Quality Dofollow Links
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of both link types, let’s talk strategy. Building a high-quality dofollow backlink is like striking gold in the SEO world. It’s not easy, but the payoff can be huge. Here’s some of the best link building tips on how to do it right.
Content Marketing: The Long Game for Search Engine Optimization
Content marketing is the bread and butter of link building. Create valuable, shareable content that people actually want to link to. I'm talking in-depth guides, original research, infographics - the kind of content that makes people go, "Wow, I need to share this!"
But here's the catch: this isn't a quick fix. It's a long-term strategy that requires patience and persistence. You might not see results overnight, but when you do, they'll be worth the wait. It's like planting a tree - it takes time to grow, but once it's established, it keeps on giving.
Guest Posting and Outreach
Guest posting is still a solid strategy for earning dofollow links, despite what some naysayers might tell you. But let's be clear: we're not talking about spamming low-quality sites with thin content. We're talking about creating valuable, insightful content for reputable sites in your niche.
The key here is to focus on quality over quantity. One guest post on a high-authority site can be worth more than a dozen on mediocre blogs. It's like being a guest speaker at a prestigious conference versus chatting at a local meetup. Both have value, but one carries a lot more weight.
Still, you must generate lots of guest blogging opportunities and filter which among these prospects are the best to ensure you can focus on the best and lowest-hanging fruit dofollow backlinks out there.
Link Building via Social Proof
Here's a strategy that often gets overlooked: leveraging social proof to earn dofollow links. Publish case studies, white papers, and testimonials that showcase your expertise and results. When you have concrete data and success stories, other sites in your industry are more likely to link to you as a credible source.
Think of it as building your resume in public. The more impressive your results, the more likely others are to cite you as an authority. It's a snowball effect - the more high-quality links you earn, the easier it becomes to earn even more.
How to Check Dofollow and Nofollow Links
Now that you’ve built your links, let’s talk about how you can tell which is which on a web page. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a tech wizard to figure this out.
Using Browser Extensions
There are some nifty browser extensions out there that make spotting dofollow and nofollow links a breeze. Tools like the Nofollow Chrome Extension are like X-ray glasses for links. Just install the extension, navigate to any webpage and boom - you'll see which links are nofollow indicated them inside a dotted box.
These tools are great for quick checks when you're browsing. Not to mention, they're usually free, so there's no excuse not to use them.
Using SEO Tools
If you want to dig deeper, it's time to break out the big guns. Professional SEO tools like Ahrefs offers comprehensive backlink analysis. In this case, you can also determine the nofollow and dofollow links your site has.
Enter your domain URL on Site Explorer and go to Internal or Outgoing links section. By default, it shows you all the internal links your site has. But you can filter the links to only show dofollow or nofollow.
With these tools, you can run a full backlink audit, see who's linking to you, and even spy on your competitors' links. It's like being a detective in the world of SEO. You can uncover link-building opportunities, spot potentially harmful links, and get a birds-eye view of your link neighborhood. Trust me, once you start using these tools, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Conclusion: Consult with Us for Your Dofollow and Nofollow Needs
Navigating the world of dofollow and nofollow links can be tricky, but it's a crucial part of any successful SEO strategy. Whether you're looking to boost your rankings with high-quality dofollow links or diversify your profile with strategic nofollow links, the key is to approach link building with a balanced, informed strategy.
But why go it alone when you can have experts in your corner? At Charles Floate Training, we've been in the trenches of SEO for over two decades. We've seen Google algorithms come and go, and we offer link packages that stand the test of time.
Ready to take your link building to the next level? Let's chat. We offer personalized consultations to help you craft a link building strategy that aligns with your unique goals and niche.