Dofollow Link

A dofollow link is a type of hyperlink that passes SEO value from one site to another.

Definition

A dofollow link is essentially a vote of confidence from one website to another, indicating that the content on the linked website is of high quality and relevance. When search engines crawl websites, dofollow links serve as signals to follow the paths to the linked sites, allowing them to index and evaluate the content of those sites. This process can significantly affect the search engine rankings of the linked sites. Unlike nofollow links, which tell search engines to disregard the link in terms of ranking influence, dofollow links are considered powerful tools for boosting a website's SEO profile.

Did you know?
The rel="dofollow" attribute is actually the default state for a hyperlink. Web developers add the rel="nofollow" attribute to links to create nofollow links.

Usage and Context

Dofollow links are crucial in SEO strategies as they can improve a website’s domain authority, increase traffic, and enhance search engine rankings. Search engines like Google use these links to discover new content and to help determine how well a page should rank in their results. The quality and relevance of the linking sites play a significant role; links from high-authority, reputable sites have a greater SEO impact. For example, getting a dofollow link from a major news website or an authoritative blog in your industry can significantly boost your site’s visibility in search results.

FAQ

1. Are dofollow links better than nofollow links for SEO?

   • Yes, because dofollow links pass on link equity, helping improve the receiving site’s search engine ranking.

2. How can I tell if a link is dofollow or nofollow?

   • By inspecting the link’s HTML code. If you see a rel="nofollow" attribute, it’s a nofollow link. Absence of this tag usually means it’s a dofollow link.

3. Do too many dofollow links look spammy to search engines?

   • It can, especially if the links aren't from quality, relevant sources. Diversity and relevance in your link profile are key.

4. Can I control whether a link is dofollow or nofollow?

   • Yes, when you’re linking to another site from your own, you can decide to add a rel="nofollow" attribute. However, you cannot control how other sites link to you.

5. Do social media links count as dofollow?

   • Typically, links from social media platforms are automatically set as nofollow, so they don’t pass SEO value directly.

Benefits

1. Improved Search Engine Rankings: Elevates your website's position in search engine results.
2. Increased Domain Authority: Strengthens your site's reputation and credibility.
3. Enhanced Online Visibility: Amplifies your presence and ability to be discovered online.
4. Greater Referral Traffic: Attracts more visitors from other websites directly.
5. SEO Asset Accumulation: Collecting dofollow links can be seen as building assets for long-term SEO benefits.

Tips and Recommendations

1. Focus on Quality Content: High-quality, sharable content naturally attracts dofollow links.
2. Guest Posting: Contribute to reputable sites in your niche for valuable backlinks.
3. Use Social Media Wisely: While they may not directly provide dofollow links, social platforms can increase visibility and lead to dofollow links from other sources.
4. Monitor Your Backlink Profile: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to track your links and ensure a healthy, diverse link profile.
5. Build Relationships: Networking in your field can lead to more opportunities for high-quality dofollow links.

Conclusion

Dofollow links are a cornerstone of SEO strategy, as they signal to search engines that your site is a credible source of information. By focusing on earning dofollow links from reputable sites, you can improve your site's search engine rankings, increase traffic, and build your site's authority. Remember to balance your link-building efforts and prioritize the quality and relevance of your links for the best results.