Nofollow Link: The Bloggers Guide

Q: What is the difference between a nofollow link and a dofollow link?

A nofollow link is a link with rel="nofollow" that tells search engines not to pass SEO value through that link. A dofollow link is a normal link with no special “nofollow” tag, so it can pass ranking signals. In simple terms, nofollow helps you link out without “voting” for the other page. This is useful when you want to reference something, but you do not want to boost it in search results. This idea is tied to how links can affect authority and rankings. If you want the basics behind how link value works, see PageRank basics. If you are still new to link building terms, this backlink definition can also help you connect the dots.

Q: When should I use rel="sponsored" or rel="ugc" along with nofollow?

Use rel="sponsored" when a link is part of an ad, paid placement, affiliate deal, or sponsored post. This helps you follow search engine guidelines and keeps your link profile clean. Use rel="ugc" for links that appear in user-generated content, like comments or forum posts. Many WordPress sites add this automatically in comments, but it is worth double-checking. In some cases, you can combine values like rel="nofollow sponsored" or rel="nofollow ugc". The goal is to clearly label why the link is there. If you are unsure, choose the option that best matches the reason the link exists. Clear labeling protects your site and reduces the chance of link related issues later.

Last Updated April 11, 2024

Are you a blogger looking to control the SEO value you give to external sites when linking to them? NoFollow links are the perfect solution. By setting the relationship of a link to “nofollow,” you can tell search engines not to follow the link or give it any SEO value.

Watch "NoFollow Links: What Are They & Actionable Tips" on YouTube

What is a NoFollow Link?

A NoFollow link is a type of HTML attribute that instructs search engines and web crawlers not to follow a specific link or pass on any link equity (SEO value) to the target webpage. When you add the rel="nofollow" attribute to a link, it essentially tells search engines like Google to ignore that link when calculating rankings.

Why Use NoFollow Links?

There are several reasons why you might want to use NoFollow links:

Linking to Competitors: If you need to link to a competitor’s website, using a NoFollow link ensures that you’re not inadvertently boosting their search engine rankings.
Paid Links or Sponsored Content: If you’re being paid to link to a website or promoting sponsored content, it’s important to use NoFollow links to comply with search engine guidelines and avoid potential penalties. Keep in mind you’ll also want to add rel="sponsored" to sponsored links as well.
User-Generated Content: If your blog allows user comments or has forums, adding NoFollow to links within user-generated content can help prevent spam and discourage people from leaving links just for SEO purposes. Typically WordPress does this for you in the comments section.

How to Create a NoFollow Link

Creating a NoFollow link is simple. Just add the rel="nofollow" attribute to your HTML link tag, like this:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Example Website</a>

Of course if you’re using the WordPress block editor you can click the “advanced” area and select that you want the link to be set to nofollow without editing HTML.

Checking if a Link is NoFollow

To check if a link on a website is using the NoFollow attribute, simply:

Right-click on the link
Select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element” from the context menu
Look for the rel="nofollow" attribute within the link’s HTML

If the attribute is present, the link is NoFollow. If it’s not there, the link is DoFollow, meaning it passes on SEO value.

Using WordPress Plugins for NoFollow Links

If your blog runs on WordPress, you can easily manage NoFollow links using plugins. One popular option is the “External Links” plugin, which allows you to automatically add the NoFollow attribute to all external links on your site.

What’s great about these plugins is that they often include an “allow list” feature. This enables you to specify certain links or domains that you want to remain DoFollow, giving you granular control over which external sites receive SEO value from your blog.

Conclusion

NoFollow links are a powerful tool for bloggers looking to control the flow of SEO value from their site. By using the rel="nofollow" attribute strategically, you can link to external resources without worrying about unintentionally boosting their search engine rankings.

Whether you’re linking to competitors, managing sponsored content, or dealing with user-generated links, understanding and utilizing NoFollow links is an essential skill for any blogger. So, start implementing NoFollow links today and take control of your blog’s SEO!

What is the difference between a nofollow link and a dofollow link?

A nofollow link is a link with rel="nofollow" that tells search engines not to pass SEO value through that link. A dofollow link is a normal link with no special “nofollow” tag, so it can pass ranking signals.

In simple terms, nofollow helps you link out without “voting” for the other page. This is useful when you want to reference something, but you do not want to boost it in search results.

This idea is tied to how links can affect authority and rankings. If you want the basics behind how link value works, see PageRank basics.

If you are still new to link building terms, this backlink definition can also help you connect the dots.

Should I add nofollow to every external link on my blog?

No, you usually should not add nofollow to every external link. Linking to helpful, trusted sources can be good for readers, and normal links can be a natural part of a healthy site.

Use nofollow when you do not want to pass SEO value, like when linking to a competitor, an untrusted source, or a page you do not fully endorse. It is more about control than fear.

A good approach is to keep dofollow links for high quality citations that add real value. Then use nofollow for links that are required, risky, or mainly promotional.

If you want to learn the basics of outbound links first, this glossary entry on external links explains what they are and when to use them.

When should I use rel="sponsored" or rel="ugc" along with nofollow?

Use rel="sponsored" when a link is part of an ad, paid placement, affiliate deal, or sponsored post. This helps you follow search engine guidelines and keeps your link profile clean.

Use rel="ugc" for links that appear in user-generated content, like comments or forum posts. Many WordPress sites add this automatically in comments, but it is worth double-checking.

In some cases, you can combine values like rel="nofollow sponsored" or rel="nofollow ugc". The goal is to clearly label why the link is there.

If you are unsure, choose the option that best matches the reason the link exists. Clear labeling protects your site and reduces the chance of link related issues later.

Do nofollow links help SEO, or do they hurt my site?

Nofollow links usually do not hurt your SEO by themselves. They are a normal part of the web, and they can help you avoid passing SEO value when a link should not count as an endorsement.

They can also reduce risk with paid links, sponsored mentions, and user-added links. That is important because search engines want link signals to be earned, not bought.

Nofollow links can still be useful for traffic and trust. People can click them, and they can send readers to helpful resources even if they do not pass ranking value.

The real win is control. You choose where your site passes link equity, and where it does not.

How can RightBlogger help me improve my outbound links and SEO on a post?

RightBlogger can help you spot SEO issues and tighten up your content before you publish. That includes making sure your links, headings, and on-page SEO are consistent and clear.

Start by reviewing a post with SEO Reports to find gaps like missing key topics, weak structure, or areas where your links could be better placed. This makes it easier to decide which links should be normal links and which should be nofollow.

If you are updating older posts, Auto Optimize can help you refresh content faster while keeping it aligned with what searchers want today. Then you can quickly double-check your outbound links and apply nofollow where it makes sense.

This workflow saves time because you get a clearer checklist of what to fix, instead of guessing. The result is cleaner SEO and a better experience for readers.