Dofollow x Nofollow links: Understanding the difference

If you’re involved in digital marketing, you may have heard of the terms “follow links” and “Nofollow links”. These terms refer to the way that search engines like Google treat links on websites. Understanding the difference between the two can help you improve your website’s SEO (search engine optimization) and get better rankings in search results.

What are follow links?

Follow links, also known as “dofollow” links, are links that search engines follow as they crawl a website. When a website links to another website using a follow link, it is essentially “vouching” for that website’s credibility and authority. In other words, the website is saying “this is a good website, and we recommend that you check it out.”

Why are follow links important for SEO?

Follow links are important for SEO because they pass “link equity” from one website to another. Link equity is essentially the value or “authority” that a website has in the eyes of search engines. When a website with high link equity links to another website using a follow link, it passes some of that link equity to the linked website. This can help the linked website to rank higher in search results.

What are Nofollow links?

Nofollow links, on the other hand, are links that search engines do not follow as they crawl a website. When a website links to another website using a Nofollow link, it is essentially saying “we’re not vouching for the credibility or authority of this website.”

Why do websites use Nofollow links?

Websites use Nofollow links for a variety of reasons. For example, they may use Nofollow links on user-generated content, such as comments or forum posts, to prevent spammy links from affecting their website’s SEO. They may also use Nofollow links on paid links or sponsored content to comply with search engine guidelines and avoid penalties.

How do-follow and Nofollow links affect SEO?

While follow links are generally more valuable for SEO than Nofollow links, both types of links can have an impact on a website’s search engine rankings. Nofollow links may not pass link equity, but they can still drive traffic to a website and improve its visibility online. Additionally, having a mix of follow and Nofollow links can make a website’s link profile appear more natural to search engines.

In summary, follow links are links that search engines follow as they crawl a website, and they are important for SEO because they pass link equity from one website to another. Nofollow links, on the other hand, are links that search engines do not follow, and they are often used to prevent spammy links or comply with search engine guidelines. Both types of links can impact a website’s search engine rankings, and having a mix of follow and Nofollow links can make a website’s link profile appear more natural to search engines.

Post by Thamiris Campos

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