What is a Dofollow and Nofollow backlink
All backlinks and hyperlinks are set to Dofollow by default.
Example of Dofollow in HTML:
<a href="https://examplesiteURL.com">anchor text</a>
- <a> and </a> opens and closes the HTML tag
- href refers to the destination URL (where the link goes)
- anchor text are the clickable words users see. Example, “Seo Agency Singapore Login Marketing”
Dofollow backlinks serve as the usual “votes of confidence” that pass authority from one site to another, boosting the receiving website’s trustworthiness and relevance in the eyes of search engines.
A Nofollow backlink does not pass SEO authority to the destination website, even though it’s clickable and functions like any other hyperlink for users.
Google introduced the Nofollow tag in 2005 to discourage bad link building practices. This especially addresses spammers who put their website URLs in others’ comment sections (as ‘backlinks’) to trick search engines into boosting their rankings. Today, website owners can protect themselves by adding the Nofollow tag to comply with search engine guidelines and avoid endorsing unaligned/unethical websites. Some website-building tools, like WordPress, automatically apply the Nofollow tag to user-submitted links (can be disabled with plugins), so it is not always a manual process.
To check if a link has the Nofollow tag: Right-click the link, click on “inspect”, and see if there is a Nofollow tag. Or you could use free tools (e.g. Linksman’s link checker) to scan your website’s links and see which are tagged with Nofollow.
How can I apply the Nofollow tag?
You can add the Nofollow tag to a hyperlink by adding rel="nofollow" to its HTML. Example:
<a href="https://examplesiteURL.com" rel="nofollow">anchor text</a>
It is also considered industry best practice for websites to have a balanced link profile. AKA, a ‘healthy’ mix of both Dofollow and Nofollow links. This reduces the risk of penalties because Dofollow only websites can come across as manipulative and unnatural. Check out Semrush’s free site audit that shows the ratio between your website’s Dofollow and Nofollow links.
If you require more customisation and control over your backlinks, we recommend commissioning an SEO agency like us! We at Login Marketing would be happy to help you organise your Nofollow links and content to follow SEO best practices. Book an appointment with our SEO specialists here.
Why you might get a Nofollow link
Nofollow links are surprisingly common, and most of the time, it’s really nothing personal! Platforms such as YouTube and major news sites, for example, automatically apply Nofollow to backlinks per their policies. Search engines like Google also require advertising and affiliate links to be tagged with Nofollow or “sponsored”. In other cases, the website’s content might not fully align with yours, so the Nofollow tag may be applied to help them stay neutral.
Is getting a Nofollow backlink bad?
Not necessarily. Although Nofollow links deprive us of SEO authority, they still help increase clicks and visibility, like any other hyperlink. This is especially true if the website is reputable (e.g. The Business Times) and has an audience with informational user intent (those who are more inclined to click on outbound links). At Login Marketing, we turn every link, Nofollow or otherwise, into opportunities. We provide you with SEO link building services Singapore businesses trust, boosting your business’s online authority.
