Ideal Do-Follow to No-Follow Ratio for SEO

Learn the ideal do-follow to no-follow link ratio for SEO and how to build a balanced backlink profile that enhances your site's authority.

Last Updated on August 7, 2025 by Ian Naylor

What’s the best do-follow to no-follow link ratio for SEO? Experts generally recommend a 60:40 or 70:30 ratio of do-follow to no-follow links. This balance helps ensure a natural backlink profile, which search engines favor. However, the ideal ratio can vary by industry, website type, and how links are acquired.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Do-Follow Links: Pass "link juice" and authority to your site, directly boosting SEO rankings.
  • No-Follow Links: Don’t pass authority but contribute to a natural backlink profile and drive referral traffic.
  • Google’s Take: Focus on natural link-building rather than obsessing over ratios. Avoid manipulative practices.
  • Industry Differences: Blogs often attract more do-follow links, while e-commerce sites may have more no-follow links due to ads or sponsored content.

Key Insight: A natural mix of both link types is crucial. Avoid over-optimization or unnatural patterns, as these can lead to penalties. Instead, prioritize links from trusted, relevant sources and regularly audit your backlink profile. Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console can help monitor your progress.

Research Findings on Do-Follow to No-Follow Ratios

Building a strong backlink profile is crucial for long-term SEO success, and understanding recommended link ratios can guide you in achieving that goal.

Common Ideal Ratios

Experts suggest that a balanced backlink profile often has a 60:40 or 70:30 ratio of do-follow to no-follow links. In simpler terms, around 60–70% of your backlinks should be do-follow, while 30–40% can be no-follow.

These recommendations come from analyzing patterns seen on top-ranking sites. For example, research from Ahrefs found that first-page results typically have 20–40% no-follow links. Additionally, Ahrefs discovered that 55% of websites include no-follow links, and 10.6% of backlinks to the top 110,000 sites are no-follow. This data shows that having a mix of link types is normal. Instead of obsessing over a specific ratio, experts recommend focusing on earning links from trusted and relevant sources.

Next, let’s explore Google’s perspective on these link ratios.

Google doesn’t provide specific guidelines for do-follow to no-follow ratios. Instead, it prioritizes natural link-building and emphasizes quality over quantity. According to Google, a natural backlink profile reflects trustworthiness, authority, and high-quality content.

This stance is part of Google’s efforts to combat manipulative linking practices, such as those targeted by its Penguin updates, which penalized sites with unnatural backlink profiles.

Google also provides clear advice on when to use no-follow attributes. For example:

  • Paid links
  • Sponsored content
  • User-generated content (UGC) where link quality can’t be guaranteed

The company advises using no-follow links only when you lack trust in the source, rather than applying no-follow to every external link. It’s also worth noting that different industries tend to have unique link ratio patterns.

Industry Differences in Optimal Ratios

The ideal do-follow to no-follow ratio can vary depending on your niche and how backlinks are naturally acquired.

Take medical sites like WebMD, for instance – they often exceed the 70:30 ratio. On the other hand, sites like BeFrugal.com thrive with nearly equal ratios of do-follow and no-follow links. These examples show that even profiles skewed toward no-follow links can perform well if they align with the natural patterns of their industry.

Different types of websites naturally attract different link profiles:

  • Blogs and news sites often get more do-follow links because their content is widely cited.
  • E-commerce and business websites tend to have more no-follow links from ads, sponsored posts, and business directories.
  • Tech websites might earn do-follow links from mentions in tool reviews or product discussions.
  • Local businesses usually have a mix of do-follow and no-follow links from directories and customer reviews.

Alex Wright, SEO & Performance Marketing Director at Clicky Media, explains the importance of this variation:

"I don’t think there is a perfect ratio of nofollow/follow backlinks. Ultimately, your link profile should look natural, and having a good mix of both is a big part of that."

Understanding how different types of links influence your website’s search engine performance is crucial for effective SEO. A natural mix of link types is essential, and each type plays a specific role in shaping your site’s visibility.

Do-follow links are the backbone of a strong SEO strategy. These links pass "link juice" from high-authority websites, which can enhance your domain and page authority. This boost increases your chances of ranking higher in search engine results. Additionally, do-follow links are invaluable for internal linking. By connecting different parts of your site, they help distribute authority more evenly, reinforcing the overall strength of your website.

No-follow links, while not passing direct link equity, bring their own set of benefits. They contribute to a natural and balanced backlink profile, which search engines favor. Beyond that, no-follow links can drive engaged referral traffic and improve brand visibility. When users arrive at your site through these links and interact meaningfully, it sends positive signals to search engines about your site’s relevance and value. Including no-follow links also helps avoid the risk of appearing overly optimized, which could raise red flags with search engines.

An unbalanced link profile can spell trouble for your SEO efforts. For instance, having only do-follow backlinks or relying heavily on low-quality links might lead to over-optimization penalties. Search engines could interpret such patterns as manipulative, resulting in reduced rankings or even penalties.

Search engines expect backlink profiles to resemble natural patterns – how most websites organically earn links. If your profile deviates too much from these norms, it could indicate the links were artificially acquired.

To avoid these pitfalls, make it a habit to audit your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console. If you discover harmful links, use Google’s Disavow Tool to neutralize their impact.

John Mueller from Google highlights the importance of balance when it comes to link profiles:

"There’s absolutely no need to nofollow every link on your site!"

This insight underscores the idea that both do-follow and no-follow links are essential. The key lies in maintaining a balanced approach tailored to your site’s unique needs and industry.

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To maintain a strong backlink profile, it’s crucial to consistently monitor your progress and pinpoint areas where improvements can be made.

Using the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to analyzing your backlinks. Some top-tier options include Ahrefs (starting at $129 per month), SEMrush (from $139.95 monthly), and Moz Pro (beginning at $49 per month). These platforms provide valuable insights like authority scores, referring domains, anchor text analysis, and the breakdown of dofollow versus nofollow links.

  • Ahrefs stands out for its accurate data and easy-to-use interface, helping you quickly identify trends in your backlink ratios.
  • SEMrush is known for its extensive external link database and intuitive design.
  • Moz Link Explorer offers reliable metrics with a simple and straightforward interface.

If you’re working with a tighter budget, Google Search Console is a free option that provides direct insights from Google, showing which sites link to your pages. Another affordable choice is Backlink Watch, which organizes backlinks by their dofollow and nofollow status, with pricing starting as low as $1 per website. To get the most comprehensive view of your backlink profile, consider combining multiple tools and setting up alerts to track any changes over time.

Once you’ve gathered data on your own profile, comparing it with competitors can help refine your strategy.

Comparing Your Profile to Competitors

Analyzing competitor backlink profiles can reveal valuable insights into their strategies, including link quality, ratios, and anchor text diversity.

Start by identifying your key competitors and using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to study their backlink profiles. Focus on patterns such as the balance of dofollow and nofollow links, the types of websites linking to them, and the variety in their anchor texts. You can also examine their authority scores and referring domains to understand the standards you should aim for.

Regularly monitoring competitors can uncover new opportunities. For example, if high-quality sites are linking to their content, those same sites might be interested in linking to yours as well. This approach can help you stay competitive while continuously improving your backlink profile.

After analyzing competitors, it’s time to focus on strategies to secure high-quality links for your own site.

Attracting high-quality links often requires a mix of strategy and creativity. One effective method is guest posting, which allows you to earn dofollow links while showcasing your expertise.

Creating valuable content is another powerful way to attract links. Think along the lines of original research, in-depth guides, or industry-specific insights – content that genuinely helps readers and encourages authoritative websites to link back to you.

Directory submissions can also play a role in diversifying your backlinks. However, it’s essential to focus on reputable, niche-specific directories rather than generic ones, as the latter could harm your profile.

For a more structured approach, platforms like 3Way.Social can help. This tool uses AI to match domains and facilitate permanent dofollow links, ensuring a diverse and natural backlink profile. It also connects you with vetted SEO experts and offers secure ABC link exchanges, helping to maintain quality and balance in your link-building efforts.

Don’t overlook the power of social media and brand mentions, which often result in nofollow links. While these links don’t pass authority, they can drive referral traffic and boost your brand’s visibility. Lastly, keep an eye on the diversity of your anchor text. A natural mix of keywords and phrases is crucial for staying in line with search engine preferences. Regularly reviewing your backlink profile ensures your strategies align with your broader content goals.

Key Takeaways on Do-Follow to No-Follow Ratios

When it comes to balancing do-follow and no-follow links, there’s no need to obsess over strict formulas. Research and expert opinions consistently emphasize that natural link-building practices hold more weight than chasing specific numerical targets.

Understanding Ratios and Their Impact

SEO professionals often reference 60:40 or 70:30 do-follow to no-follow ratios, but these are more like loose guidelines than hard-and-fast rules. The ideal ratio can vary significantly depending on the industry and type of website.

For example, studies have shown that top-ranking pages often have 20–40% no-follow links. Interestingly, some data even suggests that a higher percentage of no-follow links can correlate with better visibility. A closer look at specific keywords highlights this variability: "link building" keywords showed a natural 64% do-follow to 36% no-follow ratio, while "link audit" keywords leaned heavily toward 25% do-follow and 75% no-follow.

The takeaway? Context is everything. A medical website might naturally lean toward a 70:30 ratio, while a news site sharing viral content could see a surge in no-follow links from social media platforms – and both scenarios are perfectly normal.

Rather than fixating on specific ratios, focus on creating a diverse and high-quality backlink profile. Here’s how:

  • Prioritize acquiring relevant, high-quality backlinks from authoritative sources – whether they’re do-follow or no-follow.
  • Regularly monitor your backlink profile to identify and address any unnatural patterns.
  • Compare your link profile to top competitors in your niche to understand what’s considered "natural" for your industry.

For those looking to streamline the process, platforms like 3Way.Social can help. They connect domains for permanent do-follow links while ensuring advanced link diversification through a vetted network of SEO professionals. This ensures a natural balance that aligns with search engine preferences while building genuine authority.

As Google’s algorithms grow more sophisticated at spotting unnatural link patterns, a diversified and organic approach becomes even more critical. Stick to ethical link-building, avoid sudden spikes in do-follow links, and focus on creating valuable content that naturally attracts backlinks.

FAQs

When it comes to the ideal ratio of do-follow to no-follow links, there’s no universal rule – it really depends on your industry and the type of website you run. That said, many experts suggest aiming for a 60:40 or 70:30 split, with more do-follow links than no-follow ones. This kind of balance helps keep your backlink profile looking natural and credible to search engines.

The key is variety. A mix of do-follow and no-follow links not only diversifies your link profile but also lowers the chances of penalties from search engines. Plus, it adds a layer of authenticity. Instead of obsessing over exact numbers, focus on building high-quality links that are relevant to your site’s niche and align with your overall goals. That’s how you’ll see the best results for SEO.

An unbalanced backlink profile, particularly one cluttered with spammy or poor-quality links, can seriously damage your website’s SEO. Search engines might respond by lowering your rankings or even applying manual penalties if they spot manipulative or harmful links.

To avoid these setbacks, aim to cultivate a diverse, high-quality backlink profile. Regularly review your backlinks to spot and disavow any harmful links. Focus on earning links from relevant, reputable sources that adhere to search engine guidelines. Staying vigilant with consistent audits and proactive link management is essential for keeping your SEO strategy strong and penalty-free.

To cultivate a natural mix of do-follow and no-follow links, focus on producing content that genuinely resonates with your audience. Think along the lines of in-depth articles, helpful guides, or practical resources that people find worth referencing or sharing. When your content aligns with what your industry values, it naturally attracts attention.

Another approach is to engage in guest blogging on respected websites. Share your expertise by contributing thoughtful insights in forums or blog comments. Collaborating with industry experts or forming connections with trusted influencers and businesses in your niche can also open doors to organic link opportunities. By staying consistent in creating relevant, high-quality content, you’ll naturally attract a healthy balance of do-follow and no-follow links over time.

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