Introduction
If you’ve ever wondered how websites climb the ranks on Google or why some pages seem to dominate search results, the answer often lies in backlinks. Specifically, the difference between Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks can play a massive role in your site’s SEO success.
But let’s be honest — backlink terminology can feel confusing, especially when you’re just starting out. The good news? You don’t need to be an SEO expert to grasp the basics and use them to your advantage. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks, complete with real-world examples, simple language, and step-by-step strategies.
Let’s begin with the basics.
What Are Backlinks?
A backlink is simply a link from one website to another. If Website A includes a link to Website B, then Website B has earned a backlink from Website A. These links act like online referrals or votes of confidence — the more quality backlinks you have, the more trustworthy your website appears in the eyes of search engines.
But not all backlinks carry the same weight. That’s where Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks come into play.
Dofollow Backlinks: The SEO Powerhouses
A dofollow backlink is the default link type. When a website links to another site using a dofollow link, it’s essentially telling search engines, “I trust this site — pass some authority to it.”
This “authority” is often referred to as “link juice.” The more high-quality dofollow links a site earns, the higher it can rank in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Here’s how it works:
- Let’s say Forbes publishes an article and links to your website using a dofollow link.
- Google crawls the Forbes page, sees the dofollow link, and follows it to your site.
- Some of Forbes’ authority is passed to your domain.
- Your site now has a better chance of ranking higher.
That’s the power of a dofollow backlink.
Nofollow Backlinks: The Unsung Heroes
On the other hand, a nofollow backlink has a tag added to the link code: rel="nofollow". This tells search engines: “Don’t pass any link juice or authority to the target website.”
Nofollow links were introduced in 2005 by Google to combat spam. Think blog comments, forum posts, and low-quality directories — all places where people were trying to game the system.
At first glance, it may seem like nofollow backlinks have no value, but that’s not true. While they don’t directly improve SEO rankings, they can still:
- Drive relevant traffic
- Increase brand exposure
- Lead to future dofollow opportunities
Understanding the balance between Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks is key to building a strong and ethical link profile.
Key Differences Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links
To truly understand the impact of Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks, it helps to break them down side by side:
| Feature | Dofollow | Nofollow |
|---|---|---|
| Passes link juice | Yes | No |
| Boosts SEO rankings | Yes | Not directly |
| Used for trusted links | Yes | Sometimes |
| Used for ads/comments | No | Yes |
| Follows by search bots | Yes | Not necessarily |
One isn’t inherently “better” than the other — it depends on context, goals, and long-term strategy.
Real-Life Example: Dofollow vs Nofollow in Action
Let’s say you run an online fitness coaching website. You publish high-quality workout guides and meal plans. One day, a popular health blog publishes a post about effective workout routines and includes a dofollow backlink to one of your guides.
That link doesn’t just send traffic — it improves your SEO. Within a few weeks, Google notices the link, passes authority to your page, and ranks your article higher. You begin receiving even more traffic from organic search.
Later, someone mentions your website in a Reddit thread. The Reddit link is a nofollow backlink, but dozens of people click on it and end up signing up for your newsletter. Plus, some of them may write their own blog posts and give you dofollow backlinks in the future.
That’s how Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks work together.
Why Both Types of Backlinks Matter
Many people make the mistake of chasing only dofollow links. While it’s true that dofollow links boost rankings, a natural backlink profile includes both.
Search engines value authenticity. If all your backlinks are dofollow, it might appear suspicious — like you’re trying to game the system. A healthy mix of both helps you look more trustworthy and credible.
Here’s what each brings to the table:
Dofollow Links:
- Pass authority
- Improve rankings
- Support long-term SEO
Nofollow Links:
- Drive referral traffic
- Diversify link profile
- Protect against penalties
Together, Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks form a balanced strategy.
How to Identify Dofollow and Nofollow Links
You can check a link’s type manually or with tools. Here’s how:
Manual Method:
- Right-click on the link and choose “Inspect” (in Chrome).
- Look at the HTML code.
- If the link contains
rel="nofollow", it’s a nofollow link. - If there’s no such attribute, it’s a dofollow link by default.
- If the link contains
Using Browser Extensions:
Several free tools highlight link types on any webpage. Some SEO platforms also include this feature.
How Google and Other Search Engines Treat These Links
Historically, Google would completely ignore nofollow links. But in recent years, Google updated its algorithm. Now, nofollow links are treated as “hints” rather than hard rules.
That means Google may still crawl nofollow links and even count them toward your ranking — if it deems them relevant.
While dofollow backlinks remain more powerful, nofollow backlinks shouldn’t be dismissed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Earning Dofollow Backlinks
Here’s a proven method to get high-quality dofollow backlinks organically:
Step 1: Create Link-Worthy Content
Write content that people actually want to link to — ultimate guides, case studies, original research, or detailed how-tos.
Step 2: Guest Posting
Reach out to niche-relevant blogs and offer valuable articles in exchange for a dofollow link in your author bio or content.
Step 3: Build Relationships
Comment on other blogs, join social groups, and connect with influencers. Relationship-building often leads to backlinks.
Step 4: Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
Answer journalist queries and get featured in articles with a dofollow link back to your site.
Step 5: Broken Link Building
Find broken links on industry websites, then suggest your content as a replacement.
This step-by-step approach is ethical, effective, and sustainable.
When and Why to Use Nofollow Links
You should use nofollow links in the following scenarios:
- Paid or sponsored content: To stay compliant with Google’s guidelines.
- User-generated content: Blog comments, forums, and guestbooks can attract spam.
- Untrusted sites: When linking to sources you don’t fully endorse.
If you’re linking out and unsure whether to pass authority, it’s safer to use nofollow backlinks.
Common Myths About Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks
Let’s bust a few SEO myths:
- Myth 1: Nofollow links are useless.
Truth: They provide traffic and can lead to dofollow opportunities. - Myth 2: All you need is dofollow links.
Truth: An unnatural backlink profile can hurt rankings. - Myth 3: You should buy backlinks.
Truth: Google penalizes link-buying and may deindex your site.
Avoid shortcuts and focus on building genuine backlinks — both dofollow and nofollow.
How to Build a Balanced Backlink Profile
A natural link profile includes diversity:
- Mix of dofollow and nofollow
- Links from different domains (blogs, news, forums, etc.)
- Links with various anchor texts (branded, generic, keyword-rich)
Here’s a sample distribution strategy:
- 70% dofollow backlinks
- 30% nofollow backlinks
The actual numbers will vary based on your niche, but the key is balance.
Real-World Case Study: How One Site Used Both Types
Lisa runs a sustainable fashion blog. Early on, most of her backlinks were from comments and social shares — nofollow backlinks.
As her content gained traction, she began receiving mentions from eco-friendly product roundups and influencers — these were dofollow backlinks.
Within a year, Lisa’s domain authority improved significantly. She now ranks on the first page for several high-volume keywords.
Her success shows that Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks both contribute to long-term growth when used wisely.
Final Thoughts:
Let’s quickly summarize the key takeaways:
- Dofollow backlinks boost your SEO by passing authority.
- Nofollow backlinks offer visibility, traffic, and diversity.
- A strong link-building strategy uses both.
- Avoid shady tactics — focus on quality and relevance.
- Understanding Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks helps you make smarter SEO decisions.
Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, or digital marketer, knowing the difference between Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks gives you a real advantage in building trust, visibility, and search rankings.
So start creating value, building connections, and letting the right links strengthen your SEO & marketing efforts — one dofollow or nofollow at a time.
