The Difference Between Dofollow vs Nofollow Links (2025)

Links – those tiny digital handshakes that are either boosting your SEO to the stratosphere or quietly sabotaging your rankings.

Every single link on your site is either a dofollow or a nofollow. One type is like giving your mate's business a glowing recommendation to everyone you know. The other is more like saying "check this out, but don't take my word for it." Knowing the difference between dofollow and nofollow links isn't just SEO nerdiness – it's the secret weapon that separates websites that rank from those that don't.

Ready to decode the mystery? Let's dive into the world of link attributes and backlinks types, where tiny pieces of code make enormous differences to your search rankings.

What are dofollow and nofollow links?

Here's what most people get wrong: they think it's about the visible link. It's not. It's about invisible code that speaks directly to Google's crawlers.

Dofollow links

A dofollow link is basically the default state of every link on the internet. The dofollow value for the rel attribute doesn't exist in HTML. A dofollow link (or a follow link, which is technically the more correct name for it) is, in fact, just a regular link without specific attributes.

When you create a link in HTML, it looks like this:

<a href="https://example.com">Your anchor text</a>

Dofollow links can boost the search ranking of the page they link to, but nofollow links likely cannot. These links pass what SEO experts call "link juice" or "link equity" – essentially sharing some of your site's authority with the page you're linking to. This fundamental concept explains why dofollow vs nofollow links create such different SEO outcomes.

Think of it like this: every time you create a dofollow link, you're giving the linked page a vote of confidence. Search engines notice these votes and use them as ranking signals. This is why understanding how to use dofollow and nofollow links strategically can make or break your SEO link building efforts.

Nofollow links

Now, nofollow links are the complete opposite. They've got a special attribute that changes everything:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Your anchor text</a>

See that rel="nofollow" bit? That's the magic code that tells search engines: "Don't follow this link. Don't pass any authority. Just ignore it for ranking purposes." This is what makes nofollow links fundamentally different from their dofollow counterparts, and why the question "what is the difference between follow and nofollow links" matters so much for SEO.

Nofollow links tell search engines to "ignore" and not crawl the linked website, meaning there is no transfer of link authority between sites.

But – and this is crucial – users can still click these links perfectly fine. They work exactly the same for humans. It's only search engines that treat them differently. This creates interesting dynamics in how dofollow and nofollow links affect SEO and user experience in completely different ways.

Google's 2019 update

For nearly 15 years, nofollow links were completely ignored by search engines for ranking purposes. Then, on September 10, 2019, Google dropped a bombshell. All the link attributes — sponsored, ugc, and nofollow — are treated as hints about which links to consider or exclude within Search.

This means Google now reserves the right to follow nofollow links if they think it's worth it. Google now treats nofollow as a "hint" – meaning they reserve the right to consider these links for ranking purposes if their algorithms determine the links are appropriate and relevant.

Game. Changed.

But don't panic. In most cases, the move to a hint model won't change the nature of how we treat such links. We'll generally treat them as we did with nofollow before and not consider them for ranking purposes.

Google also introduced two new link attributes:

• rel="sponsored" for paid, affiliate, or sponsored links

• rel="ugc" for user-generated content like comments and forum posts

The new attributes went live immediately on September 10, 2019, while the change to treat nofollow as a hint for ranking purposes also began that day. However, for crawling and indexing purposes, nofollow became a hint starting March 1, 2020.

How dofollow and nofollow links affect SEO

Let's talk about the real impact on your search rankings, shall we?

Dofollow links

Dofollow links significantly impact SEO by sharing PageRank, or "link juice", from one site to another. Therefore, the more high quality dofollow inbound links a website has, the more PageRank value the webpage will have, and the better it will perform in the search results.

When high-authority websites link to you with dofollow links, it's like getting a recommendation from the coolest kid in school. Your credibility soars.

But here's the thing: Dofollow links should be used when a website is linking to an authoritative and credible source. Quality matters more than quantity. Always has. Always will. This is a fundamental principle of SEO link building strategies that never goes out of style.

Do nofollow links help SEO?

This is the million-pound question that keeps SEO experts arguing in forums at 2am. The short answer? It's complicated. The longer answer? Much more interesting.

Technically, nofollow links have little to no SEO value, and building nofollow backlinks will not directly improve a website's authority or rankings. But this basic answer misses the bigger picture of how search engines actually evaluate your link profile.

But – and it's a big but – nofollow backlinks can still positively impact your page rankings by boosting a business's brand awareness and online credibility, as noted by various SEO experts. The question "do nofollow links help SEO" has a more nuanced answer than most people realise.

Nofollow links still:

• Drive traffic to your site

• Increase brand visibility

• Create a natural-looking link profile

• Can lead to dofollow links later

A natural link profile includes a mix of dofollow and nofollow links. Having too many dofollow links can raise red flags for search engines, as it may appear unnatural or manipulative. This is why smart marketers focus on link building best practices that create diverse, authentic-looking backlink profiles.

Balance is everything.

Examples of dofollow and nofollow links

Theory's all well and good, but you need to see these beasts in their natural habitat. Here's how they actually look in the wild – and why context matters more than you think.

Dofollow link examples

These are the links that make SEO hearts flutter. They pass authority, boost rankings, and tell search engines "this content is worth following." But here's the catch: timing and relevance determine whether they're gold or fool's gold. Here are some classic dofollow link examples:

Most editorial links are dofollow:

<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news">BBC News</a>

Links within guest posts (when allowed):

<a href="https://yourbusiness.com">Your Business Name</a>

Internal links on your own site:

<a href="/about-us">Learn more about our services</a>

Nofollow link examples

Don't underestimate these diplomatic links. While they won't boost your rankings directly, they're the workhorses of a natural link profile. Plus, they keep you out of Google's penalty box. Let's look at some common nofollow link examples:

Sponsored content and affiliate links:

<a href="https://affiliate-link.com" rel="nofollow sponsored">Buy this product</a>

Links in comments (WordPress does this automatically):

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow ugc">Check this out</a>

Social media links (most platforms use nofollow):

<a href="https://twitter.com/yourprofile" rel="nofollow">Follow us on Twitter</a>

Are dofollow links better than nofollow?

It's tempting to think this is a simple "better vs worse" equation. But anyone who's survived a Google penalty knows it's more like asking whether a hammer or screwdriver is "better." Each has its place, and using the wrong one at the wrong time can cause serious damage.

For SEO purposes? Yes, dofollow links carry more weight. As Paul Ronto from RunRepeat explains: "The difference between a Dofollow and a Nofollow link is that a Dofollow link passes PageRank signals (some refer to this as SEO or link juice), and a Nofollow link doesn't." This explains why many people wonder: are dofollow links better than nofollow?

But nofollow links serve important purposes too:

• They keep you compliant with Google link guidelines

• They create a natural link profile

• They still drive valuable traffic

• They protect against penalties

• They're essential for proper link tagging for SEO

A site that has zero Nofollow links could be a red flag to the crawlers. That's because most sites naturally acquire nofollow links over time from social media, comments, and other platforms.

How to use dofollow and nofollow links effectively

Anyone can slap links onto a page. The pros understand that link deployment is an art form that requires precision, timing, and a deep understanding of search engine psychology.

When to use dofollow links

Think of dofollow links as your reputation currency. Every time you use one, you're essentially vouching for another site with your own authority. Spend this currency wisely, because Google notices everything.

• Linking to authoritative sources that support your content

• Internal linking within your own site

• Editorial links in guest posts (where allowed)

• Citations and references to credible sources

When to use nofollow links

Nofollow links are your insurance policy against algorithmic disasters. They let you link without liability, promote without prejudice, and maintain relationships without risking rankings. Master these, and you'll never fear a manual penalty again.

• All sponsored content and affiliate links

• Links you're not 100% sure about

• User-generated content

• Links in widgets and footers that appear sitewide

Why are some links nofollow?

The nofollow attribute was introduced in early 2005 by Google, working alongside Yahoo and Microsoft, as a collaborative effort to combat comment spam in blogs. At the time, forum posts and blog comments were being abused by spammy websites and black hat SEO practitioners to publish thousands of spam links to manipulate their website authority and artificially inflate their keyword rankings.

How to add nofollow links in WordPress

Right, let's get practical. Because knowing about nofollow links is one thing – actually implementing them is another. WordPress makes this relatively painless, but there are still ways to mess it up spectacularly.

Method 1: Using an SEO plugin (easiest way)

For those who prefer clicking buttons to writing code, SEO plugins are your best friend. They've democratised link management, turning what used to require developer skills into a simple checkbox operation. The catch? Not all plugins are created equal.

Job done. No coding required.

Method 2: Manual HTML editing

For the hands-on approach that gives you complete control over every attribute and parameter. It's like choosing manual transmission over automatic – more work, but absolute precision. Plus, you'll never be held hostage by a plugin that breaks during updates. This is how to add nofollow links in WordPress manually:

1. Switch to the HTML/Text editor in WordPress

2. Find your link in the code

3. Add rel="nofollow" to the opening anchor tag

4. Save your changes

Like this:

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

Method 3: WordPress navigation menus

Navigation menu links are the forgotten stepchildren of SEO. They appear on every page, carry significant weight, and most people completely ignore their link attributes. Fix this oversight, and you're ahead of 90% of your competition.

Here's how:

1. Go to Appearance → Menus

2. Click "Screen Options" and enable "Link Relationship (XFN)"

3. Add your external link to the menu

4. Expand the menu item settings

5. Type "nofollow" in the Link Relationship field

Sorted.

How to add nofollow links in Squarespace

Right, Squarespace users – this one's for you. Squarespace makes a lot of things beautifully simple, but adding nofollow links isn't one of them. It's like trying to change a tyre with a Swiss Army knife – possible, but you'll need patience and the right technique.

Unlike WordPress where you can just tick a box, Squarespace requires a bit more hands-on work. You need to use something called a Markdown block. Think of it as Squarespace's way of letting you add a bit of custom code without breaking everything.

Method 1: Single nofollow link using Markdown blocks

Perfect for when you need just one nofollow link on its own line. Think of Markdown blocks as Squarespace's secret backdoor for code ninjas – hidden in plain sight, but incredibly powerful once you know where to find them.

Step-by-step process:

1. Add a Markdown block: Click the insertion point where you want your link, then select "Markdown" from the popup menu

2. Enter your code: Use this exact format:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your link text here</a>

1. Customise the details:

• Replace https://example.com with your actual URL

• Replace Your link text here with what you want people to see

• The target="_blank" makes it open in a new tab (optional but recommended)

2. Preview and publish: Check it works properly before going live

For sponsored links, use this instead:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="sponsored" target="_blank">Your affiliate link</a>

Method 2: Nofollow links within paragraphs

This is where Squarespace's visual editor shows its limitations. Want a nofollow link mid-sentence? You'll need to sacrifice your entire paragraph to the Markdown gods. It's like needing to repaint your entire wall just to hang one picture – frustrating but necessary.

Here's how:

1. Add a Markdown block where your paragraph will go

2. Type your entire paragraph with the HTML link embedded:

This is my paragraph with a <a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nofollow link</a> right in the middle of the text. The rest of my paragraph continues here.

A bit more work, but it gets the job done.

Method 3: Making sure your links look like links

Sometimes Squarespace's design engine gets confused and forgets to style your custom HTML links. Your perfectly coded nofollow link ends up looking like plain text, defeating the entire purpose. Here's how to force Squarespace to treat your links like the clickable elements they are.

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u>Underlined link text</u></a>

The <u></u> tags force the underline.

Method 4: Automated solution for multiple links

If you're dealing with dozens of affiliate links, manually coding each one is like washing your car with a toothbrush – technically possible but utterly soul-crushing. Enter Will Myers' genius solution that turns Squarespace's limitation into a streamlined workflow.

With his plugin, you can add rel="sponsored" or rel="nofollow" to text blocks, gallery blocks, image blocks, and button blocks without touching any code.

It's affordable and saves hours of manual work – especially if you're going back through existing content to add proper attribution.

Method 5: Code injection for bulk changes

For the brave souls managing enterprise-level affiliate programmes, sometimes you need to go nuclear. Code injection lets you automatically transform entire categories of links with surgical precision. It's the SEO equivalent of find-and-replace on steroids.

Add this to Settings → Advanced → Code Injection → Footer:

<script>

$(document).ready(function() {

  $('a[href*="your-affiliate-domain.com"]').attr('rel','nofollow sponsored');

});

</script>

Replace your-affiliate-domain.com with the actual domain you want to target.

Important notes for Squarespace users

• Markdown blocks work on both Squarespace 7.0 and 7.1

• Test everything: Always preview your links before publishing

• Don't use HTML blocks: Stick to Markdown blocks for nofollow links – HTML blocks don't work the same way

• Entire paragraphs: If your link sits within a paragraph, the whole paragraph must go in the Markdown block

Pro tip: Keep your nofollow link code in a document somewhere so you can easily copy and paste it. Change the URL and link text as needed, but the basic structure stays the same.

The process isn't as streamlined as WordPress, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.

Can nofollow links pass link juice?

Officially? No. But the official answer hasn't matched reality for years, and Google's 2019 bombshell just made things more beautifully complicated. Let's decode what's really happening behind the algorithmic curtain and answer the question: can nofollow links pass link juice?

Since Google's March 1, 2020 update, things aren't quite so black and white anymore. We'll use these hints — along with other signals — as a way to better understand how to appropriately analyze and use links within our systems.

So while nofollow links traditionally don't pass link juice, Google might occasionally decide they're worth considering. Don't bank on it, but it's good to know. This uncertainty is part of what makes modern SEO link building strategies so challenging.

Dofollow vs nofollow backlinks: Building your link profile

Here's the thing about successful link building: it's not about choosing one type over the other. It's about creating a natural, balanced profile that looks authentic to search engines.

High quality backlinks come in both flavours

The best websites don't just accumulate links – they curate them. Like a museum curator selecting pieces for an exhibition, you want each link to contribute to the overall narrative of your site's authority and relevance. This applies to both internal vs external links strategies.

• High-authority dofollow links from relevant, trustworthy sources

• Natural nofollow links from social media, comments, and other platforms

• A mix that doesn't look manipulated or artificial

Multiple readers may then organically link to your site, and those links could be dofollow links that pass link equity. Search engines value a natural and diverse backlink profile that includes a mix of both nofollow and follow links.

How do search engines treat nofollow links in 2025?

The landscape keeps evolving faster than most SEO strategies can adapt. What worked in 2019 might be outdated by 2023, and what we think we know today might be completely wrong by tomorrow. Here's what we can observe right now about how search engines treat nofollow links.

This means Google might now:

• Crawl pages linked via nofollow

• Index content discovered through nofollow links

• Consider context when deciding whether to follow the "hint"

Fascinating stuff, really.

The bottom line

Dofollow links pass authority and boost rankings. Nofollow links protect you from penalties and create natural link profiles. Both have their place in a winning SEO strategy.

The secret isn't choosing one over the other. It's using both intelligently, staying compliant with guidelines, and always prioritising quality over quantity.

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