In the realm of SEO, backlinks play a crucial role in how search engines determine a website’s authority and trustworthiness. While dofollow backlinks often take center stage, dofollow backlinks are equally important in building a healthy and natural backlink profile.
Let’s explore what dofollow backlinks are, how they impact SEO, and why you shouldn’t ignore them in your digital marketing strategy.
What Are Nofollow Backlinks?
Nofollow backlinks are hyperlinks that contain a special HTML attribute (rel=”nofollow”) which tells search engines not to pass link equity (also known as link juice) from the source website to the linked page.
Here’s an example of a dofollow link in HTML:
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<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Visit Example</a>
This tag instructs search engine bots not to follow the link or give it SEO value. Originally, Google introduced the dofollow attribute to combat spam, particularly in blog comments and forums.
Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks
| Feature | Dofollow Backlinks | Nofollow Backlinks |
| Pass SEO Value? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Followed by Bots? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Helps with Rankings? | ✅ Directly | 🔄 Indirectly (via traffic, trust, etc.) |
| HTML Tag | <a href=”url”>Link</a> | <a href=”url” rel=”nofollow”>Link</a> |
Although dofollow backlinks don’t pass ranking signals directly, they still play a significant role in a balanced SEO strategy.
Why Nofollow Backlinks Still Matter
- Diversify Your Backlink Profile
A healthy link profile includes both dofollow and dofollow backlinks. If all your backlinks are dofollow, it may look unnatural to search engines and could raise red flags. - Increase Referral Traffic
Even if the link doesn’t pass SEO juice, users can still click on a dofollow link and land on your website—boosting traffic and potential conversions. - Build Brand Awareness
Getting a dofollow backlink from a high-authority site like Wikipedia, Forbes, or Quora can elevate your brand visibility. - Enhance Trust Signals
Being mentioned on reputable sites—even with a dofollow tag—can signal trust and credibility to both users and search engines. - Potential for Future Link Equity
Sometimes websites later convert dofollow links to dofollow as relationships build or content proves its value.
Where Are dofollow Backlinks Commonly Found?
- Blog comments
- Forum posts and replies
- Wikipedia references
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Quora and Reddit answers
- Press release websites
- Sponsored or paid content
Most of these platforms add dofollow by default to prevent abuse and maintain editorial standards.
How to Use dofollow Backlinks Effectively
- Engage in high-traffic communities like Quora or Reddit and drop helpful dofollow links when relevant.
- Comment on industry-related blogs with insightful contributions and a link back to your site.
- Submit press releases to authoritative PR websites, even if they use dofollow backlinks.
- Use social media marketing—most social links are dofollow but still drive valuable traffic.
Final Thoughts
While dofollow backlinks don’t boost your search rankings directly, they are still a powerful tool for increasing brand awareness, driving referral traffic, and supporting a natural-looking backlink profile.Instead of chasing only dofollow links, aim for a balanced strategy that includes both. Remember, dofollow backlinks might not influence SEO signals directly, but their impact on visibility and user engagement is undeniable.