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**Dofollow and Nofollow Backlinks: Your Ultimate Guide to SEO Success**

Chris Porteous | 22 August 2024

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In the ever-shifting world of SEO, staying ahead of the curve can feel like a full-time job. But some things remain critical, no matter how many times Google updates its algorithms (and it was a lot in 2022, by the way – 729 to be exact.). We’re talking about building high-quality backlinks to boost your website’s authority and rankings. Understanding the difference between dofollow and nofollow links is fundamental to a winning strategy. This post breaks down everything you need to know about these powerful links: what they are, why they matter, and how you can use them strategically to help propel your brand to the top of those search engine results pages (SERPs).

Getting to the top of Google isn’t magic – you’ve got to put in the work. It takes dedication, planning, and knowing which techniques actually move the needle. And, hey, it’s about capturing your audience’s attention authentically and earning those top spots instead of trying to buy or game the system. Like NP Digital says, earning links is always better. This is where the strategic use of both dofollow and nofollow backlinks comes in. Let’s dig a little deeper.

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Demystifying Dofollow and Nofollow Links: A Closer Look

Think of backlinks as votes of confidence from other websites. When a site links to you with a dofollow link, they’re essentially telling Google, “This website is trustworthy and relevant. It’s worth checking out.” Dofollow links pass what SEO folks call “link juice.”

Imagine it as a power boost for your website’s SEO, pushing your content higher up on SERPs. Google notices, users notice, and your website’s credibility increases. This recognition plays a huge part in improving your site’s domain authority, ultimately boosting keyword ranking. And as we all know by now, the name of the game in the SEO world is to rank as highly as possible for your desired keywords. Dofollow backlinks are the secret sauce in your quest to dominate those SERPs.

But there’s more to the link-building game than just dofollow links. Enter: nofollow links. So, how do nofollow links work? Well, it’s all in the HTML code. Nofollow links carry a rel=”nofollow” attribute in their HTML, a signal to search engines that this link shouldn’t directly influence your website’s rankings.

It’s like telling Google, “I’m linking to this for informational purposes, but it’s not an official endorsement.” While they might not pack the same punch for your search engine ranking as dofollow links, they’re crucial for maintaining a diverse backlink profile – and we’ll get into why that’s important very shortly.

Why Are Both Types of Links Crucial?

A balanced backlink portfolio includes both dofollow and nofollow links because it appears more natural to search engines. If every backlink you have is dofollow, it raises a red flag. Think of it like this: more than 41% of marketers believe that building backlinks is the HARDEST part of SEO. A successful backlink profile blends these links, mimicking authentic online interaction and driving referral traffic to your site.

Here’s another reason why this matters: a backlink profile with only dofollow links could signal to Google that you’re trying to game the system or resorting to spammy link-building tactics (a big no-no in the world of SEO, which you should avoid like the plague). Achieving a balance between dofollow and nofollow backlinks isn’t always a walk in the park; it takes planning and work. That might explain why many businesses decide to outsource their link-building efforts altogether. Research shows that over 60% choose this option. While you’re free to choose your own approach, it’s vital to grasp the power of a well-balanced backlink profile – and to plan your strategy accordingly.

Benefits of a Natural Link Profile:

Increased Traffic and Exposure:

A single nofollow backlink from a high-traffic website can drive many visitors to your site, improving your site’s overall visibility and potentially leading to more conversions. It’s important to diversify because those nofollow links still have value – just not the same value for SEO as their dofollow counterparts. They can also help improve brand awareness and establish you as a thought leader in your industry.

Brand Authority and Credibility:

Dofollow backlinks from authoritative websites tell Google that you’re the real deal. By building relationships with high-quality sites within your industry (think thought leaders, influencers, and reputable publications), you establish your brand as a trustworthy source of information – something that Google takes very seriously.

Remember, earning that coveted “E-A-T” badge (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is a recipe for long-term SEO success. Don’t cut corners with black hat tactics and instead focus on methods proven to bring actual value to users. Remember, you want your backlinks to contribute to your brand authority and build credibility within your specific niche. You’re playing the long game.

Using Nofollow Links Strategically

Here’s a surprising fact – using a good amount of nofollow links on your site, like within your content, for instance, actually improves crawling and indexing. Think of nofollow links as guides for Google and other search engines; you’re helping them prioritize by telling them which pages hold the most weight on your site.

Consider using nofollow attributes for these instances on your own site:

  • Social Media Links
  • Comments Sections
  • Press Releases
  • Forum Links

You can use nofollow attributes on pages or sections you don’t need indexed. Maybe they’re not as essential or just there for support – kind of like background actors in a film; they serve their purpose, but they’re not vying for the lead role. Think about where this tactic would be most valuable within your own website’s architecture.

So now we know why having both dofollow and nofollow links in your backlink portfolio is so essential. The key now is learning how to get these coveted backlinks. I’ll let you in on a little secret – great content gets noticed – and often, it gets linked to. Seriously. Creating helpful, informative, entertaining content that addresses your audience’s needs should be a top priority for your content marketing strategy.

There’s no single solution. Many marketers and brands are starting to turn to helpful tools that offer creative, innovative solutions like SearchEye. Imagine this: having a tool that acts as a magnifying glass on the strategies your competitors use (ethically, of course.).

You can see which types of content attract the most dofollow links for your chosen keyword and even pinpoint content gaps where you can provide additional value – giving you an edge over your rivals. SearchEye offers a data-driven path toward link-building efforts. Plus, you get to harness the power of AI, all without having to start from scratch or rely on tedious manual research.

Conclusion

In the complex landscape of search engine optimization (SEO), securing high-quality backlinks remains critical for bolstering online visibility and achieving higher search engine rankings. Understanding the distinctions between dofollow and nofollow backlinks empowers businesses and website owners to cultivate a natural and diverse backlink profile, signaling authenticity and authority to search engines like Google.

Employing strategies like creating engaging content and strategically using dofollow and nofollow links helps create a strong foundation for improved SEO performance. It can also lead to increased brand awareness and higher conversion rates.

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