A “dofollow link” is a type of hyperlink that signals to search engines to give SEO (search engine optimization) value to the website being linked to. This value, also known as “link juice”, contributes to the ranking of the linked page in search engine results. It implies that the creator of the link vouches for the linked content and believes it might be useful or valuable to users, hence the recommendation for search engines to follow the link and take it into consideration when determining search rankings.
In contrast, a “nofollow” link, introduced by Google in 2005, does not pass on SEO benefits to the linked site. In the code of a webpage, a dofollow link has no specific attribute defining it, while a nofollow link includes a “rel=nofollow” tag. For example, a dofollow link might look like this: `Example`.
Including dofollow links in your website’s content can improve your SEO strategy. According to Moz, a renowned SEO software company, building high-quality dofollow links can help a web page rank higher in search engine results, increase website traffic, and improve domain authority. As MindMingles, a digital marketing agency, notes, the more dofollow links pointing to your site from high authority domains, the better your chances of ranking higher.
However, it’s essential to use dofollow links cautiously. Linking to spam or low-quality sites can harm your site’s SEO, as search engines might penalize you for being associated with these suspicious sites. As such, many bloggers and websites use nofollow links when linking to unknown or untrusted sources, to avoid potentially damaging their own search engine rankings.
Furthermore, Google’s Webmaster Guidelines advise against certain link schemes, such as paid links or excessive link exchange, which attempt to manipulate a site’s ranking. For instance, if you’re paying for a link, Google recommends using nofollow links, acknowledging that the link shouldn’t influence the ranking of the linked site.
In conclusion, a dofollow link is a vital aspect of SEO, leading to better search engine rankings when used correctly. However, it is crucial to use them responsibly, linking only to trustworthy sites and content.
Sources:
1. “Nofollow, sponsored, & ugc,” Google Search Central. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/qualify-outbound-links?hl=en&visit\_id=637704343355821035-3912794110&rd=1)
2. “Link Juice,” Moz. https://moz.com/learn/seo/link-juice
3. “Dofollow link: The definitive guide to dofollow and nofollow Links,” MindMingles. https://www.mindmingles.com/dofollow-link-the-definitive-guide-to-dofollow-and-nofollow-links/
4. “Google Webmaster Guidelines,” Google Search Central. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/link-schemes
