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– Do NOT include external links.
The Dofollow and Nofollow Link Conundrum
As an SEO professional, understanding the differences between dofollow and nofollow links is crucial to your success in the digital world. These links are not merely visual elements; they carry with them subtle but powerful SEO signals that can influence the ranking of your website on search engine results pages (SERPs).
What is a Dofollow Link?
Dofollow links pass their link juice or PageRank to the website receiving the link. They are the traditional kind of links, found on web pages for a variety of reasons. A dofollow link can improve the site’s SEO, as it contributes to the website’s overall link profile and can increase its PageRank. These links are ideal for websites that are looking to improve their online presence and increase their search engine rankings.
For example, a dofollow link on a popular travel blog would pass more link juice to your website, potentially increasing the site’s search engine rankings.
What is a Nofollow Link?
Nofollow links, on the other hand, do not pass their link juice or PageRank to the website receiving the link. They are created using the “rel=’nofollow'” attribute in the anchor tag of a hyperlink. A nofollow link is typically used when the website owner does not want to pass SEO value to the link’s destination. They can be used for a variety of reasons, such as to prevent SEO spamming or to disavow links that do not align with the site’s values.
For instance, a nofollow link on a popular blog about vegan recipes might link to a gluten-free food company, but the link does not pass SEO value.
Why Use Nofollow Links?
Nofollow links can be used for several reasons:
1. Disavowing low-quality links: Nofollow links can be used to disavow links from sites that do not align with the site’s values, such as spammy or low-quality websites. This helps protect the site’s SEO from being negatively impacted by these links.
2. Avoiding SEO spamming: Nofollow links can be used to avoid spamming the site with links from low-quality websites or spammy directories. This helps maintain the site’s credibility and keeps the site’s SEO intact.
3. Protecting resources: Nofollow links can be used to prevent the site from passing SEO value to websites that do not align with the site’s values. This helps maintain the site’s resources and focuses them on more valuable initiatives.
The Difference Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links
The primary difference between dofollow and nofollow links lies in their ability to pass link juice or PageRank. Dofollow links pass their link juice or PageRank to the website receiving the link, while nofollow links do not.
Another key difference between the two lies in their use. Dofollow links can be used for improving the site’s SEO, while nofollow links are typically used for disavowing low-quality links, avoiding SEO spamming, or protecting resources.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between dofollow and nofollow links is crucial for an SEO professional. By using these links appropriately, you can improve your site’s SEO, disavow low-quality links, avoid SEO spamming, and protect resources. As with any aspect of SEO, it is vital to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices, and to continually refine your approach based on your specific goals and target audience.
In conclusion, use dofollow links for improving your site’s SEO, and use nofollow links for disavowing low-quality links, avoiding SEO spamming, and protecting resources.
By using dofollow and nofollow links appropriately, you can enhance your site’s SEO, protect resources, and avoid low-quality links. Remember to continually refine your approach based on your specific goals and target audience.
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