Dofollow vs Nofollow Links: What’s the Real Difference?

Use this guide when you are weighing dofollow vs nofollow links: what’s the real difference? and want the practical checks, risks, and next steps before you spend budget.

What Are Dofollow and Nofollow Links?

Dofollow and nofollow links are two common ways people describe how links may pass SEO value. A dofollow link is a normal link that search engines can follow and use as a ranking signal. A nofollow link is a link with a special HTML attribute that tells search engines not to treat the link in the same way as a normal editorial link.

Here is the simple idea:

Dofollow links can pass SEO authority. Nofollow links usually do not pass authority in the same direct way. Both can still be useful, depending on the context. But there is one important detail. Technically, there is no actual rel="dofollow" tag. When people say “dofollow link,” they usually mean a normal link without a nofollow, sponsored, or UGC attribute.

So a normal link looks like this:

<a href="https://example.com">Example link</a>

A nofollow link looks like this:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Example link</a>

That small difference can change how search engines interpret the link. If you are building backlinks through guest posting, link insertions, digital PR, or content partnerships, you need to understand the difference. Otherwise, you may spend money on links without knowing what kind of value they actually provide.

What Is a Dofollow Link?

A dofollow link is a regular hyperlink that search engines can crawl and use as a ranking signal. Again, “dofollow” is not usually written in the code. It is just the default state of a normal link.

Example:

<a href="https://example.com/backlink-guide/">backlink guide</a>

This link does not include rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc". That means search engines can treat it as a regular link. Dofollow links are important in SEO because they can help pass authority from one page to another. For example, if a respected marketing blog links to your guest posting guide from a useful article, that link may help search engines understand that your page is relevant and worth referencing.

But not all dofollow links are valuable. A dofollow link from a spammy, irrelevant, low-quality website is not automatically good.

A good dofollow backlink should be:

Relevant

Contextual

Editorially natural

From a trustworthy website

Placed inside useful content

Supported by natural anchor text

On an indexable page

So yes, dofollow links can be powerful. But quality matters more than the label.

What Is a Nofollow Link?

A nofollow link is a link that includes the rel="nofollow" attribute.

Example:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Example link</a>

This attribute tells search engines that the site owner does not want to pass normal link authority through that link. Nofollow was originally introduced to help fight comment spam and link manipulation. Over time, it also became widely used for links that website owners did not want to fully endorse.

Common places where you may see nofollow links include:

Blog comments

Forum posts

User profiles

Social media links

Some press release links

Some sponsored articles

Some editorial policies

Some large media websites

Some directory listings

A nofollow link does not usually carry the same SEO value as a normal followed link. But that does not mean it is useless. A nofollow link can still bring referral traffic, brand visibility, trust, and a more natural backlink profile. For example, a nofollow link from a major publication may still be valuable because real people can click it and discover your brand.

SEO is not only about link equity. Visibility also matters.

Dofollow vs Nofollow Links: Quick Comparison

Here is the simple comparison. The biggest mistake is thinking all dofollow links are good and all nofollow links are bad. That is too simple. A nofollow link from a trusted website with real traffic can be more valuable than a dofollow link from a spammy blog. Link quality always comes first.

Do Nofollow Links Help SEO?

Nofollow links can help SEO indirectly. They may not pass ranking value like a normal followed link, but they can still support your marketing in several ways.

1. They Can Bring Referral Traffic

If a nofollow link appears on a website with real readers, people can still click it.

That traffic can lead to:

Signups

Leads

Sales

Newsletter subscribers

Brand searches

Content downloads

Demo requests

A nofollow link that sends qualified traffic is not worthless. It is doing a real marketing job.

2. They Can Increase Brand Visibility

Being mentioned on respected websites can build awareness, even if the link is nofollow. For example, if your company is mentioned in a well-known industry publication, the exposure can still help your brand. Some readers may click the link. Others may search your brand later. That can support your broader search presence.

3. They Can Lead to Followed Links Later

A nofollow link can introduce your content to people who may later reference it from their own blogs, newsletters, podcasts, or websites. This is common with original research, statistics, tools, and strong opinion pieces. One nofollow mention can sometimes lead to multiple natural links later.

4. They Help Create a Natural Backlink Profile

A natural backlink profile usually includes a mix of followed and nofollow links. If every backlink to your site is followed, keyword-rich, and placed in guest posts, that may look unnatural.

Real brands attract different kinds of links:

Editorial links

Nofollow links

Social links

Directory links

Forum mentions

Media mentions

Partner links

Branded citations

So nofollow links are part of a normal web footprint.

5. They Can Support Trust

A nofollow link from a strong source can still support trust. For example, a nofollow link from a recognized media site, niche publication, university page, or major community can still look good to users. Do not judge links only by whether they are followed. Ask whether the link helps your brand, your audience, or your visibility.

When Should You Use Nofollow Links?

If you own a website, you also need to know when to use nofollow links on your own outbound links. You might use rel="nofollow" when you are linking to a page but do not want to imply a normal editorial endorsement.

Common situations include:

You do not fully trust the linked page. The link appears in user comments. The link is added by a user and not reviewed editorially. You want to reference something without endorsing it. You are linking to a source for context but not passing endorsement. Your CMS or comment system automatically nofollows user links.

However, nofollow is not the only attribute you should know. For paid links, sponsored links, affiliate links, and user-generated content, there are more specific attributes. That is where sponsored and ugc come in.

What Are Sponsored Links?

A sponsored link is a link that uses the rel="sponsored" attribute.

Example:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="sponsored">Sponsored partner</a>

This attribute is used for links that are part of advertising, sponsorships, paid placements, affiliate relationships, or similar compensation arrangements.

In simple terms:

If money, product, service, or compensation influenced the link, sponsored may be the right attribute.

Examples include:

Sponsored posts

Paid guest posts

Affiliate links

Advertorials

Paid product reviews

Sponsored resource placements

Paid link placements

This matters because search engines want website owners to clearly identify links that exist because of commercial relationships. For guest posting and link building, this is especially important. If a link is paid or sponsored, it should be handled properly.

What Are UGC Links?

UGC stands for user-generated content. A UGC link uses the rel="ugc" attribute.

Example:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="ugc">User shared link</a>

This attribute is used when links are added by users rather than the website’s editorial team.

Common examples include:

Blog comments

Forum posts

Community discussions

User profiles

Reviews

Q&A websites

Public submissions

UGC links are common on platforms where users can publish their own content. If you run a website with community features, using UGC attributes can help clarify that those links were added by users, not by your editorial team.

Can You Combine Link Attributes?

Yes, link attributes can be combined.

For example:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow sponsored">Example link</a>

Or:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="ugc nofollow">Example link</a>

This can be useful when a link fits more than one category. For example, a paid link inside user-generated content may use both ugc and sponsored. A sponsored link may also include nofollow for compatibility or extra caution. The important thing is to use attributes honestly. Do not use attributes to hide the nature of a link.

Use them to describe the relationship clearly.

How to Check if a Link Is Dofollow or Nofollow

There are several simple ways to check a link.

1. Inspect the Page Source

Right-click on the page and choose “Inspect” or “View Page Source.”

Then find the link and check whether it includes a rel attribute.

If you see:

rel="nofollow" The link is nofollow.

If you see:

rel="sponsored" The link is sponsored.

If you see:

rel="ugc" The link is user-generated content. If there is no nofollow, sponsored, or UGC attribute, it is usually treated as a regular followed link.

2. Use Browser Extensions

There are browser extensions that highlight nofollow links on a page. These can be useful if you review guest post placements often.

3. Use SEO Tools

Backlink tools can often show whether a backlink is followed or nofollowed.

They may also show:

Source URL

Target URL

Anchor text

Link type

First seen date

Lost links

Domain metrics

Traffic estimates

This is useful for tracking link building campaigns.

4. Ask the Publisher

If you are buying a guest post or link insertion, confirm the link attribute before ordering.

Ask:

Will the link be followed?

Will it be nofollow?

Will it use sponsored?

Can the link be contextual?

How many links are allowed?

Will the page be indexable?

Will the post stay live permanently?

Clear expectations prevent problems later.

Which Links Should You Build: Dofollow or Nofollow?

For SEO campaigns, followed links are usually more desirable because they can pass ranking signals more directly. But that does not mean you should ignore nofollow links. A healthy strategy may include both.

Prioritize Followed Links When:

The site is relevant. The link is editorially natural. The page is indexable. The content is useful. The anchor text is natural. The publisher is trustworthy. The link supports a real SEO goal.

Accept Nofollow Links When:

The website has a real audience. The brand exposure is valuable. The link can send referral traffic. The mention improves credibility. The source is authoritative. The placement can lead to future opportunities.

Avoid Links When:

The site is spammy. The article is irrelevant. The link is forced. The anchor text is over-optimized. The website sells links openly without standards. The page has suspicious outbound links. The content is thin or AI-spun. The site has no real traffic or audience.

So the better question is not:

“Is this link dofollow?”

The better question is:

“Is this link relevant, trustworthy, useful, and aligned with my goals?”

If the answer is yes, it may be worth considering.

Dofollow vs Nofollow in Guest Posting

Guest posting often creates confusion around link attributes. Some publishers offer followed guest post links. Others use nofollow or sponsored attributes. Some decide based on whether the link is editorial, paid, promotional, or part of a contributor policy. Before publishing a guest post, clarify the rules.

Ask the publisher:

Is the link followed or nofollowed?

Is the post labeled sponsored?

Is rel="sponsored" used for paid posts?

How many contextual links are allowed?

Are branded anchors required?

Are exact-match anchors allowed?

Is an author bio included?

Can the link point to a commercial page?

Is the article permanently live?

For your own campaign, do not obsess only over link type.

Also check:

Website relevance

Organic traffic

Content quality

Editorial standards

Outbound link profile

Indexing status

Placement context

Anchor text

A followed link from a bad website is not a win. A nofollow mention from a respected niche publication may still be valuable.

Dofollow vs Nofollow in Link Insertions

Link insertions also need careful checking. Because the link is added to an existing article, you should confirm the link attribute before placement.

A good link insertion should be:

Relevant to the existing article

Added in a natural sentence

Useful for the reader

Not over-optimized

On an indexed page

On a quality website

Clear about attribute type

If the publisher promises a followed link, still check the live URL after publication. Sometimes links change later. Record the placement in a tracker and recheck important links periodically.

Common Dofollow and Nofollow Mistakes

Mistake 1: Thinking All Dofollow Links Are Good

A dofollow link can still be bad if it comes from a spammy, irrelevant, or low-quality website. Quality matters more than the attribute.

Mistake 2: Thinking Nofollow Links Are Useless

Nofollow links can still bring traffic, visibility, credibility, and a natural link profile. Do not reject a good brand mention just because it is nofollow.

Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Attribute for Paid Links

Paid or sponsored links should be properly qualified. Do not treat paid links as normal editorial links.

Mistake 4: Nofollowing All Internal Links

Internal links usually help users and search engines understand your website structure. Do not randomly nofollow your internal links unless there is a clear technical reason.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Anchor Text

A followed link with over-optimized anchor text can look unnatural. Use anchors that fit the sentence.

Mistake 6: Not Checking the Live Link

Always check the published page.

Confirm:

The link is live. The target URL is correct. The anchor text is correct. The attribute matches expectations. The page is indexable. The article is not blocked by robots or noindex.

Mistake 7: Building Only One Type of Link

A natural backlink profile usually includes a mix of link types. Do not rely only on guest posts, only on link insertions, or only on followed links. Mix high-quality tactics.

Dofollow vs Nofollow Checklist

Use this checklist when reviewing links.

Link Attribute Checklist

Is the link followed, nofollow, sponsored, or UGC?

Does the attribute match the relationship?

Is the link paid or sponsored?

Was the link added by a user?

Is the link editorially reviewed?

Did the publisher confirm the attribute before placement?

Quality Checklist

Is the website relevant?

Does the website have real traffic?

Is the article useful?

Is the link contextual?

Is the anchor text natural?

Are outbound links clean?

Is the page indexable?

Does the website look trustworthy?

Campaign Checklist

Are you tracking link type?

Are you tracking anchor text?

Are you tracking target pages?

Are you mixing link types naturally?

Are you avoiding spammy followed links?

Are you not dismissing useful nofollow mentions?

Are paid links properly qualified?

This checklist helps you avoid the two biggest mistakes: chasing bad dofollow links and ignoring useful nofollow links.

The practical takeaway on link attributes

Dofollow and nofollow links both have a place in SEO. A dofollow link is a normal link that can pass SEO value more directly. A nofollow link tells search engines not to treat the link like a normal editorial endorsement, but it can still help with traffic, visibility, credibility, and brand discovery.

The real goal is not to collect as many followed links as possible. The goal is to build a backlink profile that looks natural, relevant, and trustworthy. That means choosing real websites, writing useful content, using natural anchors, and understanding when link attributes should be used.

For SEO, followed links are important. For marketing, nofollow links can still be valuable. The best strategy understands both. Need help finding quality guest post and link insertion opportunities? Use our marketplace to compare publisher websites, review link options, check quality signals, and choose placements that match your SEO goals.

FAQs About Dofollow and Nofollow Links

What is the difference between dofollow and nofollow links?

A dofollow link is a normal link that search engines can follow and use as a ranking signal. A nofollow link includes rel="nofollow", which tells search engines not to treat it like a normal editorial endorsement.

Is there a dofollow tag?

No. There is usually no rel="dofollow" tag. A link is considered followed when it does not include nofollow, sponsored, or UGC attributes.

Do nofollow links help SEO?

Nofollow links may not pass SEO value in the same direct way as followed links, but they can still help with referral traffic, brand visibility, credibility, and a natural backlink profile.

Are dofollow links always better?

Not always. A dofollow link from a low-quality or irrelevant website can be worse than a nofollow link from a trusted, high-traffic website.

Should guest post links be dofollow?

It depends on the publisher and the relationship. If the post is paid or sponsored, the link should be properly qualified according to search engine guidelines.

What is a sponsored link?

A sponsored link uses rel="sponsored" and is used for links created through ads, sponsorships, paid placements, affiliate relationships, or similar compensation.

What is a UGC link?

A UGC link uses rel="ugc" and is used for links inside user-generated content such as comments, forums, reviews, and community posts.

Can a link be both nofollow and sponsored?

Yes. Link attributes can be combined, such as rel="nofollow sponsored".

How do I check if a link is nofollow?

You can inspect the page source, use a browser extension, or check the backlink in an SEO tool. Look for rel="nofollow" in the link code.

Should I build nofollow backlinks?

Yes, if the website is relevant, trusted, and can send real traffic or brand visibility. But for SEO authority, you should also earn high-quality followed links.