Let’s begin with the basics: a dofollow link informs search engines to ignore it. So, while follow links boost your search engine rankings, dofollow links don’t pass on their value. From this point of view, dofollow links are less important than follow links. But, as we explain below, dofollow links are as important now as they ever have been.
Nofollow vs Follow
Lots of SEOs focus exclusively on acquiring follow links and ignore the value of pursuing dofollow links. As a result, lots of sites end up with backlink profiles consisting of follow links that pour value into their sites, which is ultimately where everyone wants to be. However, it’s important not to just dismiss dofollow links as worthless, as they still have significant SEO value. This is particularly the case when dofollow links come from trusted and relative sources.
The value of dofollow links
Each time you link out to a source from your website, you immediately become a backlink for that website, whether it’s a follow or dofollow link. To help you understand the value of links for your site, it’s helpful to regard them as points, and the more points you have, the more valuable your site is. In this respect, follow links give you points, while dofollow links don’t, which causes some people to render them ineffective.
But in reality, Google acknowledges both link types and observes how many each page has and what their source is. If Google determines that there are lots of sites linking to a specific page, it establishes it as a good sign. It then offers preference to that site over others, as it believes that it is most likely to provide the best results for users.
Why do dofollow links exist?
Initially, Google introduced the dofollow HTML tag to combat spam. This was because if they ranked highly enough, spam sites were able to push genuine, high-quality sites down the rankings, which ultimately affected the quality of the search results provided to users. Also, even though a link to your site might be dofollow, someone is likely to find it and realise that it is useful. This might then encourage them to link back to it from their own website, increasing its SEO value as a result. If Google recognises that people find value in dofollow links, they’ll pick it up.
What’s the goal with dofollow links?
Ultimately, your job is to establish a healthy balance between follow and dofollow links, as they will contribute to the ideal backlink profile for your website. While there’s no doubt that follow links are better for your SEO, dofollow links reduce suspicion from Google and support the flow of genuine, organic traffic to your website. Therefore, while they’re not as attractive or sought after as follow links, dofollow links still play a vital role in your SEO strategy, and they’re too important to ignore.
While most of us have a rudimentary understanding of SEO tactics and the value of links, it helps to work with experts, particularly if you’re hoping to grow your business online. Terrier employs a no-nonsense approach to SEO and can help you enhance your rankings and increase your bottom line. After all, it’s crucial to get your SEO strategy right, and it’s an investment that will serve you well into the future.