Last Updated on February 26, 2025 by Becky Halls
If you’ve been in the SEO game for a while, you’ve probably heard of nofollow links and seo. But what exactly are nofollow links, and how do they impact your site’s SEO? While many marketers focus on acquiring dofollow backlinks, nofollow links also play a role in a well-rounded SEO strategy. In this guide, we’ll break down what nofollow links are, how they affect SEO, and the best ways to use them effectively.
What Are Nofollow Links?
A nofollow link is a hyperlink that tells search engines not to pass link equity (or PageRank) to the linked page. This is done using the
rel=”nofollow”
attribute in the HTML code of the link. It looks something like this:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Example Link</a>
Google introduced nofollow links back in 2005 as a way to combat spammy link-building tactics. Over time, their role has evolved, and search engines now treat them in a more nuanced way, so understanding nofollow links and SEO is key.
How Do Nofollow Links Affect SEO?
While nofollow links don’t pass traditional link juice (ranking power), they still serve an important role in SEO. Here’s how:
1. Diversifies Your Link Profile
A natural backlink profile includes both dofollow and nofollow links. If Google sees an unnatural ratio of only dofollow links, it might suspect link manipulation.
2. Drives Referral Traffic
Even if a nofollow link doesn’t boost your ranking, it can still bring valuable traffic to your site. Links from high-authority websites or social media can generate clicks and increase brand awareness.
3. Builds Brand Authority
Being mentioned on high-profile sites (even with a nofollow link) helps establish credibility in your niche. Google still considers brand mentions and overall online presence as ranking factors.
4. Assists in Indexing
Google has confirmed that it now treats nofollow links as hints rather than absolute directives. This means search engines may still consider these links when deciding whether to crawl and index content.
When Should You Use Nofollow Links?
Google recommends using nofollow links in certain situations to prevent passing link equity where it’s not appropriate. Here are some scenarios where you should use the rel=”nofollow” attribute:
- Sponsored Content & Paid Links – If you’re running ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate links, Google requires you to mark them as nofollow (or use rel=”sponsored”).
- User-Generated Content – Comments, forum posts, and guest contributions should have nofollow links to prevent spam.
- Untrusted or Unverified Links – If you’re linking to an external site but aren’t sure about its credibility, using nofollow helps avoid potential penalties.
- Excessive Outbound Links – If you have a resource-heavy page with lots of external links, applying nofollow to some can help distribute link equity more effectively.
How to Check If a Link Is Nofollow
If you’re analyzing your backlink profile or checking outbound links on a page, you can inspect whether a link is nofollow by:
- Using Browser Dev Tools: Right-click on the page, select Inspect, and look for rel=”nofollow” in the link code.
- SEO Extensions: Tools like MozBar, Ahrefs, and SEMrush provide browser extensions that highlight nofollow links automatically.
- Google Search Console: You can analyze your backlink profile and check for nofollow links under Links to Your Site.
Best Practices for Nofollow Links and SEO
To make the most of nofollow links, follow these best practices:
1. Balance Your Link Profile
Having only dofollow backlinks can appear unnatural. A mix of nofollow and dofollow links signals a natural and healthy link profile.
2. Leverage High-Traffic Nofollow Links
Just because a link is nofollow doesn’t mean it’s useless. Links from authoritative sites like Forbes, Wikipedia, and social media platforms drive traffic and boost credibility.
3. Use Nofollow for Sponsored Links
If you’re working with paid placements or sponsored content, ensure those links are marked with rel=”nofollow” or rel=”sponsored” to comply with Google’s guidelines.
4. Monitor Your Nofollow Links and SEO
Keep track of your nofollow backlinks with tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console. Even though they don’t pass link equity, they can provide valuable insights into your brand mentions and traffic sources.
5. Use Nofollow Selectively
Not every external link needs to be nofollowed. Only use it when necessary, such as for paid links, user-generated content, or untrusted sources.
Final Thoughts
Nofollow links may not directly impact your rankings like dofollow links, but they still hold significant SEO value. They drive referral traffic, diversify your link profile, and help establish brand authority. By understanding when and how to use nofollow links effectively, you can create a stronger, more balanced SEO strategy.
If you’re looking for more insights on link-building strategies, check out our previous articles on Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links and Best Backlink Strategies. Got any experiences with nofollow links? Share them in the comments!
FAQs
1. Do nofollow links help SEO? Yes! While they don’t pass link equity directly, they still contribute to referral traffic, indexing, and brand authority.
2. Should I use nofollow on all external links? No, only use nofollow for sponsored content, untrusted links, and user-generated content to comply with Google’s guidelines.
3. Can Google still crawl nofollow links? Yes. Google now treats nofollow as a hint, meaning it may still crawl and consider them in rankings.
4. How can I find my nofollow links? Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze your backlink profile and check for nofollow attributes.
