What a dofollow link looks like
This is a dofollow link:
<a href="https://example.com/guide/">our guide to local SEO</a>And this is not, because of the rel attribute:
<a href="https://example.com/guide/" rel="nofollow">our guide to local SEO</a>Writing rel="dofollow" does nothing. Browsers and search engines ignore it, because every link is followable by default.
Why dofollow links matter for SEO
Links from other websites are one of the ways Google judges whether a page is trustworthy and important. A dofollow link from a relevant, respected site passes that signal on to the page it links to. This is why "getting backlinks" usually means getting dofollow links from good sources.
Quality matters far more than quantity. One link from a respected publication in your field is worth more than hundreds from low-quality directories, and links that look manipulative can harm you.
Dofollow vs nofollow
| Dofollow | Nofollow | |
|---|---|---|
| HTML | No rel value needed | rel="nofollow" |
| Passes ranking signals | Yes | Treated as a hint; Google may or may not use it |
| Typical use | Editorial links, your own internal links | Links you don't vouch for |
| Brings visitors | Yes | Yes |
Should every link be dofollow?
- Your internal links: yes. Don't add nofollow to links between your own pages. Google stopped letting nofollow redirect link value to other pages in 2009, so it only wastes it.
- Links you give to other sites: dofollow when you genuinely recommend the page. Use
rel="sponsored"for paid or affiliate links andrel="ugc"for links in comments or forums. - Links you receive: a natural link profile contains both. Nofollow links from busy sites can still bring real visitors and get you noticed.
Never buy dofollow links
Buying or exchanging links to pass ranking signals breaks Google's spam policies, and sites caught doing it can lose their rankings. The sustainable way to earn dofollow links is to publish something worth citing: original research, genuine expertise and coverage in real publications, for example through press releases that reach news sites.
How to check if a link is dofollow
Right-click the link and choose "Inspect". If the <a> tag has no rel containing nofollow, sponsored or ugc, it is dofollow. Also check the page's <meta name="robots"> tag: a page-level nofollow there applies to every link on the page.
Frequently asked questions
Is rel="dofollow" a real attribute?
No. It is not part of HTML and search engines ignore it. A link is dofollow by default unless it has a nofollow, sponsored or ugc value.
Are dofollow links always good?
No. A dofollow link from a spammy or irrelevant site doesn't help, and large numbers of them can look manipulative. What helps is links from relevant, respected sources.
Do nofollow links have any value?
Yes. They can bring visitors, make your brand known and lead to other links. Since 2020 Google also treats nofollow as a hint rather than a strict instruction.
Lay Nadji is the founder of ShiftCode, with over 25 years of experience in IT and 15 years in the web industry, working with law firms, luxury brands and small businesses on SEO, content and websites.