Dofollow

What is dofollow?

Dofollow is the default state of hyperlinks on the web that pass SEO value from one page to another. Unlike nofollow links, which contain a rel="nofollow" attribute instructing search engines not to transfer ranking power, dofollow links serve as "votes of confidence" between websites. When a site links to yours with a dofollow link, it's essentially telling search engines that your content is trustworthy and valuable, sharing some of its own authority with your page.

How do dofollow links work in SEO?

Search engines use dofollow links as pathways to discover new content and distribute ranking power across the web. When a search engine crawler encounters a dofollow link, it follows that link to the destination page and transfers a portion of the linking page's authority (sometimes called "link juice" or "link equity"). This transfer happens because dofollow links don't contain any attributes that would prevent the passing of value. Technically speaking, a dofollow link is simply a standard HTML anchor tag without any additional rel attributes that would modify how search engines interpret it.

Why are dofollow backlinks important for your website?

Dofollow backlinks remain one of the most powerful ranking factors in search algorithms. They function as third-party endorsements of your content's quality and relevance. A strong profile of dofollow links from authoritative websites can dramatically improve your visibility in search results and drive more organic traffic to your site. Beyond just quantity, the quality of these links matters significantly—a single dofollow link from a highly trusted website in your industry can outweigh dozens from low-quality sources. These links also help establish your website's topical authority in specific subject areas when they come from relevant sources.

Where can you find valuable dofollow link opportunities?

The most valuable dofollow links come from creating content that naturally attracts references. Beyond that, consider guest posting on reputable industry blogs, participating in expert roundups, creating shareable resources like original research or comprehensive guides, and building relationships with content creators in your field. Industry directories, relevant forums, and comment sections on high-authority blogs sometimes offer dofollow links, though their value varies. Remember that the most sustainable approach focuses on earning links through valuable content rather than artificial link building tactics that could trigger search engine penalties.

How do you check if a link is dofollow?

To verify if a link is dofollow, you can inspect its HTML code. Right-click on the link and select "Inspect" or "Inspect Element" in your browser. Look at the tag in the code—if there's no rel="nofollow" attribute (or similar attributes like rel="sponsored" or rel="ugc"), then it's a dofollow link. Browser extensions like SEO Minion or MozBar can highlight nofollow links on a page, making dofollow links easier to identify by contrast. When analyzing your backlink profile, most SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush will automatically categorize links as dofollow or nofollow, saving you the trouble of manual inspection for large numbers of links.