Short answer: In the dofollow vs nofollow backlinks debate, the difference is one attribute. A dofollow link is a normal link that can pass ranking value. A nofollow link has rel=”nofollow”, which asks search engines not to pass that value, although Google now treats it as a hint. Dofollow links from relevant sites build authority; nofollow links still bring traffic and keep your link profile natural.
Dofollow vs nofollow backlinks is one of the first questions every SEO learner asks, usually after seeing a tool label half their links “nofollow” and wondering if those links are wasted. They are not. Both types play a role, and understanding the difference stops you from chasing the wrong kind of link.
This guide is part of our series on the types of backlinks in SEO.
What Is a Dofollow Backlink?
A dofollow backlink is simply a link without a nofollow, sponsored or ugc attribute. There is no actual “dofollow” tag in HTML. A normal link looks like this:
<a href="https://example.com/">digital marketing course</a>
Search engines can follow it and count it as a vote of confidence for the page it points to. That is why dofollow backlinks from relevant, trusted sites are the main goal of link building.
What Is a Nofollow Backlink?
A nofollow backlink carries the attribute rel="nofollow":
<a href="https://example.com/" rel="nofollow">digital marketing course</a>
It tells search engines the site does not want to vouch for the linked page. Nofollow was introduced to fight comment spam, and today many large sites add it to most outgoing links by default, including many news portals, social networks and forums.
Sponsored and UGC: The Two Newer Attributes
In 2019 Google added two more specific attributes:
- rel=”sponsored” for paid links, advertisements, sponsorships and affiliate links.
- rel=”ugc” for links inside user-generated content such as comments and forum posts.
Since 2020 Google treats nofollow, sponsored and ugc as hints rather than strict instructions. That means a nofollow link may sometimes be used for ranking or crawling, but you should never count on it.
Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks: 5 Key Differences
| Dofollow | Nofollow | |
|---|---|---|
| Attribute | None | rel=”nofollow” |
| Passes ranking value | Yes | Treated as a hint, often not |
| Brings visitors | Yes | Yes |
| Typical sources | Articles, editorial mentions, resource pages, guest posts | Social profiles, comments, forums, many news sites, paid placements |
| Main purpose for you | Building authority and rankings | Traffic, brand and a natural profile |
Why Nofollow Backlinks Still Matter
- Real visitors: a nofollow link in a popular Quora answer or news story can send more people than a dofollow link nobody clicks.
- Brand discovery: journalists and bloggers who find you through a nofollow link may later link to you editorially.
- A natural link profile: every real website has a mix. A profile that is 100 percent dofollow with exact-match anchors looks built, not earned.
- Possible ranking value: because nofollow is a hint, some of these links may still count.
How to Check if a Link Is Dofollow or Nofollow
- Right-click the link and choose “Inspect” in Chrome.
- Look at the highlighted
<a>tag. If you see rel=”nofollow”, “sponsored” or “ugc”, it is not a normal dofollow link. - For many links at once, use a backlink tool. Ahrefs, Semrush and Moz all show the attribute for each backlink. Our guide on how to check backlinks for free lists free options.
When Should You Use Nofollow on Your Own Site?
- Paid links and sponsorships: use sponsored.
- Affiliate links: use sponsored.
- Comments and forum posts: use ugc, which WordPress and most forums add automatically.
- Links you do not want to vouch for: use nofollow.
Normal editorial links to helpful sources should stay dofollow. Linking out to good resources is a sign of a helpful page, not a leak of value.
What Is a Good Dofollow vs Nofollow Ratio?
When it comes to dofollow vs nofollow backlinks, there is no official ratio and you should not engineer one. If you earn links naturally, the mix takes care of itself. Focus on getting dofollow backlinks from relevant sites through useful content, citations, partners and PR, and let nofollow links come from profiles, communities and news coverage.
Common Mistakes With Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks
- Ignoring a nofollow opportunity on a high-traffic site because “it does not pass link juice”.
- Paying for dofollow links, which breaks Google’s spam policies.
- Adding nofollow to all your outgoing links out of fear, which makes your content look less trustworthy.
- Judging link quality by the attribute alone instead of relevance and trust.
Learn It on Live Websites
In the SEO course in Faridabad at AdifySkills, you inspect real backlink profiles, sort dofollow vs nofollow backlinks, label links correctly on your own pages and plan a safe link building strategy.
Key takeaways on Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks
- A dofollow backlink is simply a link without a nofollow, sponsored or ugc attribute.
- A nofollow backlink carries the attribute rel="nofollow":
<a href="https://example.com/" rel="nofollow">digital marketing course</a>
It tells search engines the - In 2019 Google added two more specific attributes:
rel="sponsored" for paid links, advertisements, sponsorships and affiliate links.
rel="ugc" for links inside - DofollowNofollow
AttributeNonerel="nofollow"
Passes ranking valueYesTreated as a hint, often not
Brings visitorsYesYes
Typical sourcesArticles, editorial menti - Real visitors: a nofollow link in a popular Quora answer or news story can send more people than a dofollow link nobody clicks.
- Right-click the link and choose "Inspect" in Chrome.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dofollow backlinks better than nofollow backlinks?
For rankings, usually yes, because dofollow links can pass ranking value. For traffic and brand, a nofollow link on a popular page can be just as useful.
Does Google ignore nofollow links completely?
No. Since 2020 Google treats nofollow as a hint, so it may use some nofollow links for crawling or ranking, but there is no guarantee.
Are social media links dofollow?
Most links on major social platforms are nofollow. They still help people find you and make your brand look active.
Is it safe to have many nofollow backlinks?
Yes. Nofollow links do not harm your site. A natural link profile always contains plenty of them.
What is the difference between nofollow and sponsored?
Sponsored is specifically for paid links, ads and affiliate links. Nofollow is the general option for links you do not want to vouch for.
Related Reading
- Anchor Text Types in SEO and the Right Mix for Your Backlinks
- Safe Link Building for Small Businesses
- Toxic Backlinks: How to Find Them and When to Use the Disavow Tool
Want to learn this with live campaigns and a trainer beside you? See the full digital marketing course in Faridabad, or check admission and batch dates.