A nofollow link is a hyperlink with a rel=”nofollow” attribute that instructs search engines not to pass link equity or authority to the linked page, potentially impacting its search rankings.
What are Nofollow Links?
Nofollow links were introduced by Google in 2005 as a way to combat comment spam on blogs. They’re HTML attributes added to a hyperlink that tell search engines not to consider that link as an endorsement of the target page.
The syntax for a nofollow link looks like this:
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Link text</a>
While nofollow links don’t directly pass link equity, they can still drive traffic and may indirectly influence SEO through increased brand awareness and potential backlinks from other sources.
How Do Nofollow Links Work?
When a search engine crawler encounters a nofollow link, it understands that it shouldn’t transfer PageRank or authority to the linked page. However, it’s important to note that the crawler may still follow the link to discover new pages.
Nofollow links serve several purposes in the SEO ecosystem:
- Spam Prevention: They discourage spammers from leaving irrelevant comments on blogs and forums.
- Paid Link Identification: They help webmasters comply with Google’s guidelines by marking sponsored or paid links.
- Untrusted Content: They allow sites to link to content they don’t fully endorse without passing SEO value.
Why are Nofollow Links Important?
- Algorithmic Consideration: While Google has stated that nofollow links are not a ranking factor, they’re still part of a natural link building profile.
- Traffic Generation: They can drive referral traffic, which may indirectly boost SEO through increased engagement and potential natural backlinks.
- Brand Exposure: Even without passing SEO value, nofollow links increase brand visibility across the web.
- Compliance: Using nofollow attributes on paid or sponsored links helps websites adhere to search engine guidelines.
Best Practices for Nofollow Links
1 – Use Nofollow Appropriately
Apply the nofollow attribute to links that you don’t want to endorse or pass authority to. This includes:
- Paid or sponsored links
- User-generated content (like comments)
- Untrusted or potentially spammy sources
2 – Balance Your Link Profile
A natural link profile typically includes a mix of follow and nofollow links. While the exact ratio isn’t crucial, having only one type might look unnatural to search engines.
3 – Don’t Rely Solely on Nofollow for Link Schemes
Remember that using nofollow doesn’t automatically protect you from Google penalties if you’re engaging in manipulative link practices. Always prioritize white hat SEO techniques.
Expert Tip
While nofollow links don’t directly impact rankings, they can be valuable for diversifying your link profile and driving referral traffic. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can help you analyze your link profile, including the ratio of follow to nofollow links.
Key Takeaways
Nofollow links play a crucial role in the SEO landscape, helping to maintain the integrity of search results and providing webmasters with a way to link without endorsement. While they don’t directly boost rankings, they contribute to a natural link profile and can drive valuable traffic.
Understanding and properly implementing nofollow links is essential for any comprehensive SEO strategy, balancing link equity distribution with guideline compliance and spam prevention.
Related Terms
- Backlink: Nofollow is a type of backlink attribute.
- Link Building: Nofollow links are part of a diverse link building strategy.
- Anchor Text: The visible, clickable text in a hyperlink, which can be nofollow.
- Link Equity: Nofollow links don’t pass link equity, unlike follow links.