A dofollow link is a type of hyperlink that allows search engines to follow it and pass authority, often called "link juice," from one website to another. Unlike nofollow links, which block the transfer of ranking signals, dofollow links help improve a site’s visibility and authority in search engine results. They are the default state of most links unless otherwise specified with an attribute.
Dofollow links are highly valuable in search engine optimization (SEO). When a reputable website links to another using a dofollow link, it signals trust and relevance. This improves the linked site’s chances of ranking higher in search results, making dofollow links a key part of link-building strategies.
Advanced
Dofollow links work through standard HTML anchor tags without additional attributes restricting search engines. When crawlers encounter these links, they pass PageRank and other ranking factors along the path. Algorithms evaluate the quality, relevance, and context of dofollow links to prevent manipulation through spam.
Advanced SEO strategies prioritize obtaining dofollow links from authoritative, niche-relevant domains. Metrics such as Domain Authority (DA), Trust Flow, and anchor text optimization influence the impact of these links. Overuse or manipulative tactics, like link farms, can result in penalties from search engines.
Relevance
- Enhances SEO by transferring authority between websites.
- Signals trust and credibility to search engines.
- Influences organic search rankings and visibility.
- Supports content marketing and brand reputation.
- Provides referral traffic from high-authority sources.
- Helps businesses compete effectively in digital markets.
Applications
- A news site linking to a company’s blog article as a reference.
- A guest post on an industry website containing dofollow backlinks.
- An e-commerce brand earning dofollow links from product review sites.
- A university website linking to a research partner’s page.
- A business directory listing that includes dofollow links to member websites.
Metrics
- Number of dofollow backlinks earned over time.
- Domain Authority (DA) or Domain Rating (DR) of linking sites.
- Relevance of anchor text used in backlinks.
- Organic search traffic changes after link acquisition.
- Ratio of dofollow to nofollow backlinks in a profile.
Issues
- Low-quality dofollow links can trigger search engine penalties.
- Over-optimized anchor text may harm rankings.
- Buying dofollow links violates search engine guidelines.
- Heavy reliance on backlinks without content quality is unsustainable.
- Difficult to earn naturally from high-authority sources.
Example
A SaaS company published a research report that was cited by several tech news outlets. These outlets linked to the report using dofollow links, boosting the company’s search rankings and driving significant referral traffic.