NoFollow Backlinks: What You Need to Know

Backlinks are an essential component of any successful SEO strategy. However, not all backlinks are created equal. NoFollow backlinks are an often-overlooked type of link that can have a significant impact on your website's visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). In this article, we'll dive into the world of NoFollow backlinks and help you understand everything you need to know about them.

NoFollow Backlinks: What You Need to Know

NoFollow Backlinks: What You Need to Know

NoFollow backlinks are a type of link that tells search engines not to follow the link to its destination. This means that the link won't pass on any "link juice" or PageRank to the linked page. While this may seem like a negative thing, NoFollow backlinks can still be valuable for a variety of reasons.

Why Do NoFollow Backlinks Exist?

NoFollow backlinks were introduced by Google in 2005 as a way to combat spammy and low-quality links. The idea was that webmasters could add a NoFollow tag to links that they didn't want to endorse or vouch for. This would prevent spammers and link builders from using these links to manipulate search engine rankings.

How Do NoFollow Backlinks Impact SEO?

While NoFollow backlinks don't pass on PageRank, they can still be valuable for SEO. Here are some ways that NoFollow backlinks can impact your website's SEO:

They Can Drive Traffic to Your Site

Even if a NoFollow backlink doesn't pass on PageRank, it can still drive traffic to your website. This is because people who see the link may click on it and visit your site. This can lead to more exposure for your brand and potentially even more backlinks from other sites.

They Can Diversify Your Backlink Profile

Having a diverse backlink profile is important for SEO. If all of your backlinks are DoFollow, it can look suspicious to search engines. By including NoFollow backlinks in your profile, you can make it look more natural and diverse.

They Can Improve Your Trustworthiness

When a reputable website links to your site, it can improve your trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines. Even if the link is NoFollow, it can still signal to Google that your site is worth linking to.

Can NoFollow Backlinks Hurt Your SEO?

NoFollow backlinks won't directly hurt your SEO, but they can still be a red flag if they make up a large portion of your backlink profile. If you have an unnatural number of NoFollow backlinks, it can look like you're trying to manipulate search engine rankings. However, as long as your NoFollow links are natural and diverse, they won't hurt your SEO.

How Can You Get NoFollow Backlinks?

Getting NoFollow backlinks can be as simple as creating high-quality content that people want to link to. Here are some strategies for getting NoFollow backlinks:

Guest Posting

Many blogs and websites allow guest posts, which can be a great way to get NoFollow backlinks. When you write a guest post, you can usually include a link back to your website in your author bio.

Social Media

Sharing your content on social media can help you get NoFollow backlinks. If someone sees your content on social media and decides to link to it, that link will be NoFollow.

Forums and Q&A Sites

Participating in forums and Q&A sites like Reddit and Quora can also help you get NoFollow backlinks. Make sure to provide valuable insights and answers to people's questions and include a link back to your site if it's relevant to the conversation.

PR and Branding

Working on your branding and PR can also help you get NoFollow backlinks. When you're mentioned in an article or news piece, the link back to your site will likely be NoFollow. However, it can still be valuable for getting your brand in front of more people and building your reputation.

NoFollow vs. DoFollow Backlinks: What's the Difference?

DoFollow backlinks are the opposite of NoFollow backlinks. They tell search engines to follow the link and pass on PageRank to the linked page. DoFollow backlinks are generally considered more valuable for SEO, but that doesn't mean you should ignore NoFollow backlinks.

FAQs

Q1. Are NoFollow backlinks worthless for SEO?

No, NoFollow backlinks are not worthless for SEO. While they don't pass on PageRank, they can still drive traffic to your site, diversify your backlink profile, and improve your trustworthiness.

Q2. Should I ignore NoFollow backlinks?

No, you should not ignore NoFollow backlinks. While they may not be as valuable as DoFollow backlinks, they can still be valuable for SEO and should be included in your backlink profile.

Q3. How can I tell if a backlink is NoFollow or DoFollow?

You can tell if a backlink is NoFollow or DoFollow by looking at the HTML code of the page where the link is located. If the link has a rel="nofollow" attribute, it's a NoFollow link. If it doesn't have this attribute, it's a DoFollow link.

Q4. Can too many NoFollow backlinks hurt my SEO?

No, too many NoFollow backlinks won't hurt your SEO as long as they're natural and diverse. However, if you have an unnatural number of NoFollow backlinks, it can look like you're trying to manipulate search engine rankings.

Q5. Should I focus on getting more DoFollow or NoFollow backlinks?

You should focus on getting a mix of both DoFollow and NoFollow backlinks. Having a diverse backlink profile that includes both types of links can help improve your SEO and make your profile look more natural.

Q6. Can NoFollow backlinks improve my domain authority?

Yes, NoFollow backlinks can still improve your domain authority. When a reputable site links to your site, even if it's a NoFollow link, it can still signal to search engines that your site is worth linking to.