No follow Link? Benefits, Usage & SEO Impact Explained

One crucial thing SEO professionals must understand is the concept of **Nofollow Links**, which directly affects your website’s performance in search engines. If you aim to achieve effective SEO results, you must fully grasp how Nofollow Links work. In this article, we will explain what Nofollow Links are, how they function, and how to verify them properly.

What Is a Nofollow Link?

A **Nofollow Link** is a hyperlink from one website to another with the HTML attribute rel="nofollow". This special HTML tag instructs search engines to ignore the link. When a link is marked as “nofollow,” it means no link equity (or PageRank) is transferred from one site to another. Since nofollow links do not pass PageRank, they do not directly impact search engine rankings. Simply put, this is a setting on a hyperlink instructing search engines not to consider that link in ranking calculations.

So, is this good or bad for SEO performance? As understood, a nofollow link establishes a backlink without transferring SEO authority. Nofollow links were originally created to combat comment spam and similar issues rather than boost SEO directly.

Is It True That SEO Doesn’t Need to Care About Nofollow Links?

It’s difficult to claim that **nofollow links hold no value for SEO** or search engine optimization altogether. While nofollow links contribute less to ranking than other types, they are still considered natural backlinks. Even Google has recommended experimenting with the rel="nofollow" tag for specific use cases.

The Importance of Nofollow Links in SEO

Although nofollow links carry less weight in rankings, Google’s crawlers use links to navigate websites and assess credibility. In the past, spam links were used to harm competitors’ rankings. Using nofollow tags helps protect websites from being undermined by spammy backlinks and preserves search rankings despite such attacks. Nofollow links are often used for banner placements across a website’s header or footer, which appear on every page. Such backlinks can be flagged by Google as spam. SEO practitioners typically use rel="nofollow" in these scenarios to mitigate that risk. Related Article: What is Search Intent?

What’s the Difference Between Nofollow and Dofollow Links?

The only technical difference is the presence of the nofollow tag. However, when it comes to SEO, **dofollow and nofollow links serve distinctly different purposes**. Search engines pass ranking value through dofollow links but not through nofollow links, or they do so minimally. Nonetheless, nofollow links are still valuable to SEO in their own unique way, as explained above.

Learn more: What Is a Dofollow Link?

When Should You Use Nofollow Links?

Today, there are two common scenarios where using nofollow links is highly recommended:

1. 1. Applying nofollow links on backlinks placed within banners across various websites, as explained earlier. This practice prevents those backlinks from appearing spammy, especially when banners are displayed site-wide.

1. 1. Internal linking to less important pages (e.g., Contact Us, Registration pages) where search engines don’t need to pass ranking value.

Services from Asia Search: High-Quality Backlink Services

Benefits of Using Nofollow Links

Although nofollow links might not boost your SERP rankings directly, they still drive traffic and engagement. **Nofollow links are backlinks users can click on**, leading to potential increases in traffic. A balanced mix of nofollow and dofollow links helps Google recognize your website as credible and trustworthy. Nofollow links also enhance brand visibility. Backlinks help expand your network of supporters. The more your brand is seen online, the more reach and traffic you generate. For example, social media users might share your link, bringing traffic from platforms like Facebook or Twitter. While nofollow links don’t contribute SEO authority, they still generate traffic to your website.

Conclusion

**Backlinks are crucial for SEO** success, so understanding different types, including nofollow links, is essential. Nofollow links are commonly found in backlink strategies and should be used wisely. Apply this knowledge to optimize both internal and external linking strategies. If you’re looking for professional SEO services, our Digital Marketing Agency offers SEO services to help you achieve first-page rankings, ideal for businesses focused on search visibility.