What Is a Dofollow Link? Why SEOs Obsess Over It

If you’re new to SEO, you’ll hear people talk about “dofollow” links a lot. Here’s the simple truth: there is no such HTML attribute as dofollow. It’s just shorthand for a normal link that search engines can crawl and count as a signal.

TL;DR

• A “dofollow” link is simply a standard link without restrictive rel values.
• Links marked rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc" are signals for how search engines should treat them.
• “Dofollow” links can help pass PageRank and relevance signals; others may be treated as hints and often don’t pass equity.
• Both types are useful. A natural profile includes a mix of link types.
• Always prioritize relevance, quality, and real referral traffic.

What “Dofollow” Really Means

In HTML, a basic link looks like this:

<a href="https://example.com/your-page">Your anchor text</a>

That’s what SEOs informally call a “dofollow” link — a normal link with no special rel attribute. Search engines can crawl it and may use it as a ranking signal.

The rel Attribute (Where Things Change)

You can add rel values to tell search engines something about the link:

<a href="https://example.com/your-page" rel="nofollow">Anchor</a>
<a href="https://example.com/your-page" rel="sponsored">Anchor</a>
<a href="https://example.com/your-page" rel="ugc">Anchor</a>

• nofollow: Suggests the link shouldn’t be used for ranking signals.
• sponsored: Identifies paid or sponsored links.
• ugc: Identifies user-generated links (e.g., comments, forums).

Modern search engines treat these as signals/hints and use their discretion. In practice, they’re less likely to pass PageRank than a standard link.

In short: “dofollow” isn’t a tag — it’s just the absence of restrictive rel values.

Why SEOs Care So Much

Links remain one of the strongest signals for ranking. A high-quality, relevant link that can pass equity helps:

• Improve your ability to rank for target keywords
• Transfer topical relevance via anchor text and surrounding context
• Drive direct referral traffic (which is valuable beyond SEO)

But remember: quality beats quantity. A handful of topical, trusted links usually outperforms dozens of weak ones.

Dofollow vs. Nofollow vs. Sponsored vs. UGC

How To Check If a Link Is Dofollow

When Should You Use Each rel Value?

• Dofollow (no special rel): Editorially earned links where you vouch for the target.
• Nofollow: Links you don’t fully endorse or can’t vouch for (untrusted user submissions, low‑control areas).
• Sponsored: Any compensated link (ads, affiliates, paid placements).
• UGC: Links created by users (comments, forums, community sections).

Mislabeling paid links as dofollow risks manual actions and long‑term damage. When in doubt with compensated placements, use sponsored.

How To Earn More Dofollow Links (Safely)

Focus on methods that attract editorial links — the kind most likely to be standard links:

1. Publish genuinely useful resources (tools, templates, research).
2. Pitch relevant pages and resource lists where your content adds value.
3. Build relationships with publishers in your niche.
4. Contribute expert insights, quotes, or data to journalists and bloggers.
5. Keep your target pages fast, clear, and trustworthy so editors feel comfortable linking.

Related reads: strengthen acquisition while you protect what you have — our guides on Advanced SEO link building strategies and monitoring backlinks effectively.

Common Myths (Debunked)

• “Nofollow is useless.” Not true. It can still drive high‑quality referral traffic and brand visibility, and search engines may use it as a discovery signal.
• “Every link should be dofollow.” A lopsided profile can look manipulative. Healthy sites have a mix.
• “Any dofollow is good.” Context matters. Irrelevant or spammy dofollow links can hurt more than help.

Quick Compliance Checklist

• Paid or incentivized link? Mark as sponsored.
• User‑generated area? Default to ugc or nofollow.
• Editorial link you trust? Standard link is fine.
• Not sure? Err on the side of caution.

FAQ

Do nofollow links ever help rankings?

They’re typically treated as hints and often won’t pass PageRank, but they can aid discovery and bring valuable referral traffic.

Should I ask partners to switch nofollow to dofollow?

Only if it’s editorially justified. Pressuring for dofollow on sponsored placements is risky and non‑compliant.

Can a link be both ugc and nofollow?

Yes. You can combine values, e.g., rel="ugc nofollow", to convey both signals.

Bottom Line

“Dofollow” means a normal editorial link. Prioritize relevance and trust, maintain compliance for paid/user links, and keep a healthy mix. Quality links that people actually click are the ones that tend to move the needle — and endure.