Nofollow vs. Dofollow Backlinks: Which is More Valuable for SEO?

When it comes to building backlinks for your website, there are two types of links that are commonly talked about in the SEO world: nofollow and dofollow backlinks. But which one is more valuable for your SEO efforts?

First, let’s define what these types of links are. A nofollow backlinks are links that have a rel=”nofollow” attribute in its HTML code. This attribute tells search engines not to follow the link and not to pass any PageRank or authority to the linked website. On the other hand, a dofollow backlink is a link that doesn’t have the rel=”nofollow” attribute and is therefore seen as a “vote” for the linked website.

Now, let’s talk about which type of link is more valuable for SEO. The truth is, both types of links can be valuable for your SEO efforts, but for different reasons.

The Value of Nofollow Backlinks

While nofollow backlinks don’t pass any PageRank or authority to the linked website, they can still be valuable for your SEO efforts. Here’s why:

They Can Drive Traffic to Your Website

Even though nofollow backlinks don’t pass any PageRank or authority, they can still drive traffic to your website. If someone clicks on nofollow backlinks and ends up on your website, that’s still a potential customer or client that you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

They Can Help with Brand Visibility

If your website is mentioned on a high-traffic website, even if the link is nofollow, it can still help with brand visibility. The more people see your brand name and website, the more likely they are to remember it and visit it in the future.

They Can Help with Link Diversity

Having a diverse link profile is important for your SEO efforts. If all of your backlinks are dofollow, that could look suspicious to search engines. By having a mix of nofollow and dofollow backlinks, you can show search engines that your backlink profile is natural and not manipulated.

The Value of Dofollow Backlinks

While nofollow backlinks can be valuable for your SEO efforts, dofollow backlinks are generally seen as more valuable. Here’s why:

They Can Pass PageRank and Authority to Your Website

When a website links to your website with a dofollow backlink, it’s essentially giving your website a “vote” of confidence. That vote can help to pass PageRank and authority to your website, which can help it to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

They Can Help with Keyword Rankings

If a dofollow backlink is placed with relevant anchor text (the clickable text of the link), it can help to signal to search engines what your website is about. This can help to improve your keyword rankings for the targeted keyword.

They can Help to Build Relationships

Building relationships with other websites in your industry can be valuable for your overall online presence. By getting dofollow backlinks from high-quality websites in your industry, you can show search engines that your website is a trusted source of information.

In conclusion, both nofollow and dofollow backlinks can be valuable for your SEO efforts. Nofollow backlinks can help with driving traffic, brand visibility, and link diversity, while dofollow backlinks can help with passing PageRank and authority, keyword rankings, and building relationships. It’s important to have a mix of both types of links in your backlink profile to show search engines that your link building efforts are natural and not manipulated.