Definition
Dofollow links tell search engines to follow the link and pass authority. Nofollow links include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to pass ranking credit (though they may still crawl and consider them).
Why it matters
A natural backlink profile contains both dofollow and nofollow links. Too many dofollow links and no nofollow links can look manipulated.
Dofollow links
These are the standard links that pass authority. Editorial links, resource page links, and most natural mentions are dofollow by default.
Nofollow links
Common on comments, sponsored posts, press releases, and social media. They don't pass direct ranking credit but can drive traffic and brand visibility.
Sponsored and UGC
Google introduced rel="sponsored" for paid links and rel="ugc" for user-generated content. Use them to comply with guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
Are nofollow links worthless?
No. They can drive traffic, build brand awareness, and contribute to a natural-looking profile.
What is a good dofollow ratio?
Most natural profiles are 60-80% dofollow. The exact ratio varies by industry.
Can TraceLinker detect dofollow/nofollow?
Yes. If your CSV includes the dofollow column, TraceLinker reports the ratio and trends.