A nofollow link is a link with an attribute that tells search engines not to count the link as a recommendation for rankings. The opposite is a regular (dofollow) link, which does transmit authority. Nofollow is often used for ads, paid links, and user-posted content.
| Type | Passes value? | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Dofollow | Yes | Regular, editorial links |
| Nofollow | No (signal) | Advertisements, paid or UGC links |
A natural link profile contains a mix of both. For your link building, dofollow links from relevant sites are the most valuable, but nofollow links can also bring traffic and visibility.
Officially, Google does not count them as a ranking recommendation. Still, nofollow links can be useful for traffic, brand awareness, and a natural link profile.
It is recommended for paid links, advertisements and links posted by users. Editorial, earned links are usually just dofollow.
Schedule a no-obligation discovery call. We look at where you stand in search engines and in AI, and where the biggest opportunities lie.
20 minutes | online or by phone | without obligation
