What Are Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks? How Do They Help in your Rankings

You’ve probably heard that backlinks are the #1 ranking factor in SEO. But here’s what most beginners don’t know — not all backlinks are created equal.

When it comes to dofollow vs nofollow backlinks, the difference is massive. Understanding what dofollow and nofollow links are is one of the most important things you can do for your blog’s SEO in 2026 — yet most people skip right past it.

In this guide, you’ll learn what exactly dofollow and nofollow links are, why it matters for your blog’s SEO, and how to build the right kind of backlinks in 2026.

What is dofollow Backlink?

A dofollow backlink is a standard hyperlink that tells search engines, “Go ahead and follow this link and count it as a vote of confidence for the linked page.”

When a reputable website links your blog post with a dofollow link, it passes a portion of its authority, often called link juice. – to your blog. This helps your page rank higher in SERPs.

Here’s what a dofollow link looks like in HTML:

<a href="https://yousitename.com/post"> Check this post </a>

Why Dofollow Links Matter for Bloggers

1. It directly improves blog rankings on SERPs – Google uses them as votes for your content, the more the votes, the higher the rankings
2. It increases Domain Authority of your Blog – More dofollow links = stronger overall site authority.
3. Content over time – One great editorial link can drive ranking gains for years.

What is Nofollow Backlink?

A nofollow backlink includes a rel=”nofollow” attribute that tells search engines: “Don’t follow this link or count it towards rankings”. Google introduced the nofollow attribute in 2005 to combat comment spam.

Here’s what a nofollow looks like in HTML:

<a href="https://yoursitename.com/post rel="nofollow">Check this post </a>

Common Places Where You’ll Find Nofollow Links

1. Blog comments.
2. Social Media Links.
3. Forum Posts.
4. Wikipedia.
5. Many new sites and publications.

The 3 Types of Link Attributes You Need To Know In 2026

Since Google’s update in 2009, there are now three rel attributes you need to know about:

1. re=”nofollow” – the classic nofollow, which you have studied above. Used for any link you don’t want Google to count towards ranking.
2. re=”sponsored” – required for any paid, affiliate, or sponsored links. If you’re an affiliate blogger (which you are!), all your affiliate links should use rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow”.
3. rel=”ugc” – Used for links in user-submitted content (guest blogging) – comments, forums. WordPress automatically adds nofollow to comment links.

Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks: Side by Side Comparison

Do Nofollow Links Have ANY Value?

Yes – but not in the way most people expect.

While nofollow links don’t directly pass link equity or help in boosting your traffic, they’re not worthless. Here’s where they still help:

1. Referral Traffic – A nofollow link from a high-traffic site like Reddit or bigger blogs can send hundreds of readers to your blog.
2. Brand Visibility – Being mentioned on authoritative sites builds brand recognition. When people see your website mentioned on multiple sites, they trust it – and trust drives clicks and shares.
3. Indirect SEO Benefits – More traffic, lower bounce rate, and higher engagement signals; all these factors help in better rankings.

How To Check If a Link Is Dofollow or Nofollow

Method 1: Inspect Element (Free)

1. Right-click on any click ona webpage.
2. Select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”.
3. Look for re=”nofollow” in the HTML tag. If it’s not there, then it is a dofollow link.

Method 2: Install Browser Extension

1. MozBar (free).
2. NoFollow Chrome Extension
3. Ahrefs SEO Toolbar.

Method 3: Ahrefs or SEMrush Backlink Audit Tool

If you want to audit your own site’s backlink profile, tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush show you exactly which of your links are dofollow or nofollow – along with DR, anchor text, and more.

Quick Reference: When to Use Dofollow vs Nofollow

IMPORTANT: Affiliate Links and the Sponsored Attribute

If you run a blog with affiliate links, then this is important:

1. Most affiliate networks (Amazon Associates, Awin, Impact, etc.)handle this automatically by adding the rel attribute in their generated link code.
2. In WordPress Block editor, when adding a link in the block editor, simply check the “Mark as sponsored” or “Add nofollow” option, or install plugins like Lasso or ThirstyAffiliates that handle this automatically.

Final Thoughts: Focus on Dofollow, But Don’t Fear Nofollow

Understanding the difference for every new blogger is very important to have a great foundational SEO.

Here’s the bottom line:

1. Dofollow links are primary link-building target.
2. Nofollow links still have value through traffic, brand authority, and a natural link profile.
3. Affiliate links must always be market with re=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow.

Way to go deeper? Check out our posts on Toxic Backlinks and Guide for Backlinks for a complete picture of how backlinks shape your blog’s SEO.