Everything to Know About Do-Follow and No-Follow Links in SEO

 

When it comes to SEO, understanding the difference between do-follow and no-follow links can make a real difference in how your website ranks. Both types of links have specific roles, and knowing when to use each can strengthen your online presence.

What are Do-Follow Links?

Do-follow links are the default type of link used on most websites. These links allow search engines to follow them, meaning they pass on some of your website’s "authority" or value to the linked website. If a highly respected site links to you with a do-follow link, it can help improve your search engine ranking.

For instance, if the best digital marketing company in Bhubaneswar has several do-follow links pointing to their site from other trusted sources, search engines like Google see it as a vote of confidence. The more quality do-follow links pointing to a website, the more likely it is to rank higher in search results.

What are No-Follow Links?

No-follow links include a small tag that tells search engines not to follow the link or pass on any ranking authority. While people can still click the link to visit the site, no-follow links do not provide SEO benefits to the linked website.

Google introduced no-follow tags to help prevent spam and to keep websites from artificially boosting their rankings. For instance, in sections like comments or forums, no-follow links are often used to avoid passing any ranking value from potentially spammy content.

When to Use Do-Follow Links

Here are situations when do-follow links are a good choice:

1. Internal Links on Your Website
   Linking to your own pages—like a services page or blog post—should always be do-follow. This helps users navigate, while search engines get a better understanding of your website’s structure. 

2. High-Quality, Relevant Sources
   When linking to other websites that are respected and directly related to your content, a do-follow link is appropriate. It shows that you’re providing credible resources, which can also add value to your content.

3. External Links for Credibility
   In blog posts or articles, do-follow links to trusted sources or research studies can improve the depth of your content. Adding reliable, do-follow links can give your article credibility, showing readers and search engines alike that your content is backed by solid information.

When to Use No-Follow Links

Here are some cases where no-follow links are better suited:

1. Paid or Sponsored Links
   If you’re being paid to post a link or if the link is part of a sponsorship, Google advises using a no-follow tag. This keeps things transparent and avoids potential search engine penalties.

2. Affiliate Links
   For affiliate links—especially those that bring revenue—it’s wise to use no-follow. Although these links can generate income, no-following them helps maintain transparency and aligns with search engine rules.

3. Untrusted or Irrelevant Sources
   If you’re linking to a site that’s outside of your industry or if you’re unsure of its reliability, a no-follow tag can protect your own site from any negative effects.

4. User-Generated Content (Comments, Forums)
   User comments and forum posts may include links from unknown sources. To prevent passing SEO value to potentially harmful sites, use no-follow tags in these areas.

Balancing Do-Follow and No-Follow Links

Using a balanced mix of do-follow and no-follow links helps your site appear natural to search engines. A good linking strategy shows that you’re focused on providing value to readers rather than simply boosting SEO. By linking wisely and following these best practices, you can improve your online reputation and, over time, strengthen your site’s search rankings.

For more guidance on building an effective SEO strategy, reach out to Dzinepixel, the best digital marketing company in Bhubaneswar, for expert advice tailored to your business goals.