When it comes to link building, there are two types of links that you need to know about: dofollow and nofollow. Both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and choosing between the two will depend on your specific goals and the type of website you’re linking to. In this ultimate guide to link love, we’ll explore the differences between dofollow and nofollow links, and help you decide which one to use in different situations.
The Ultimate Guide to Link Love: Dofollow vs. Nofollow
What are Dofollow Links?
Dofollow links are hyperlinks that tell search engine crawlers to follow the link and index the pages it leads to. These links are valuable because they pass on link juice, which can help improve a website’s search engine rankings. When you link to another website using a dofollow link, you’re essentially endorsing that website and telling search engines that it is a valuable resource. However, because dofollow links are more valuable, they can also be more difficult to earn.
What are Nofollow Links?
Nofollow links are hyperlinks that tell search engine crawlers not to follow the link and not to count it as a backlink. These links were created to combat spammy link-building practices, and they’re commonly used on user-generated content sites like forums and blog comments. Nofollow links don’t pass on link juice, so they don’t have any direct impact on search engine rankings. However, they can still drive traffic to a website and help build brand awareness.
When to Use Dofollow Links vs. Nofollow Links
The decision to use a dofollow or nofollow link will depend on your specific goals and the type of website you’re linking to. If you’re linking to a high-quality website that is relevant to your content, using a dofollow link can help improve your own search engine rankings. However, if you’re linking to a low-quality or spammy website, using a dofollow link can actually hurt your rankings. In this case, you should use a nofollow link to avoid being associated with that website’s bad reputation.
Spread the Love: How to Choose Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links
In general, it’s a good idea to use a mix of dofollow and nofollow links in your link-building strategy. This will help you build a diverse backlink profile that looks natural to search engines. When deciding whether to use a dofollow or nofollow link, consider the following factors:
- The quality of the website you’re linking to
- The relevance of the website to your content
- The potential impact on your search engine rankings
- Your overall link-building strategy
By weighing these factors, you can make informed decisions about which type of link to use in different situations. Remember, link building is about quality over quantity, so focus on building high-quality links that will benefit your website in the long term.
Link building can be a complex and ever-evolving process, but understanding the difference between dofollow and nofollow links is a key part of any successful strategy. By using a mix of both types of links, and making informed decisions about when to use each one, you can build a diverse and effective backlink profile that will help your website rank higher in search engine results pages. So spread the link love, and watch your website soar!