Nofollow links

Nofollow links are hyperlinks with a special attribute (“rel=nofollow”) that tells search engines like Google not to follow them. Nofollow links do not pass on any “link equity” (ranking power) from the linking page to the linked page. So, even if you get a nofollow link from a high-authority website, it won’t directly boost your search ranking. Let’s explore NoFollow Links in detail.

What are NoFollow Links?

Nofollow links are special hyperlinks that tell search engines like Google to “ignore” them. This means that:

• They don’t pass on “link equity” (ranking power) from the linking page to the linked page. In other words, having a nofollow link on a high-authority website won’t directly boost your search ranking.
• Search engines often don’t even crawl (follow) the linked page. This means the nofollowed page might not be indexed in search results at all.

A nofollow link might look like this in HTML code:

<a href="https://geeksforgeeks.org/" rel="nofollow">Click here</a>

Why use NoFollow Links?

So, why would anyone use nofollow links? There are several reasons:

• To prevent spam: Nofollow links are widely used in comment sections, forums, and social media to stop people from trying to boost their ranking by posting irrelevant links.
• For sponsored content: If you’re paid to link to another website, it’s considered unethical to pass on ranking power, so you should use a nofollow link.
• For user-generated content: Sites like Wikipedia use nofollow links for references and external links in user-generated content to prevent misuse.

How Do You Check If a Link is Nofollow?

There are several ways to check if a link is nofollow:

Using Your Browser

• Inspecting the HTML Code: This is the most precise method. Right-click on the link and select “Inspect” (or “Inspect Element”). Look for the code for the link itself. If it contains the attribute rel="nofollow", then the link is nofollow.

• Browser Extensions: Several browser extensions like MozBar and SEOquake highlight nofollow links visually on the page, making them easy to identify.

Using Online Tools

• Website Backlink Checkers: Several online tools, like Semrush and Ahrefs, analyze websites and provide detailed information about their backlinks, including whether they are dofollow or nofollow.
• Nofollow Link Checkers: Some dedicated tools like the “Nofollow List Checker” from Barqly specifically check for nofollow links on a page.

General Observations

• Nofollow links typically have a slightly lighter text color or underline compared to follow links, but this is not always reliable.
• Not all search engines treat nofollow links the same way. Google currently devalues them for ranking purposes, but others may use them differently.

Remember, knowing whether a link is nofollow is helpful for understanding link profiles and website practices, but it doesn’t necessarily define the value of the link itself. Consider factors like the relevance of the linking website, potential traffic it sends, and brand awareness opportunities when evaluating links.

Why Did Search Engines Create the Nofollow Tag?

The creation of the nofollow tag by search engines like Google can be attributed to two main challenges they faced in the early days of the web:

1. Combating Blog Comment Spam: The early 2000s saw the rise of blog comment spam. Unscrupulous individuals exploited the fact that any link, regardless of quality, could influence a website’s search ranking. They flooded blog comments with irrelevant links to their own sites, manipulating search algorithms and harming user experience with spammy content.

2. Addressing Paid Link Manipulation: As websites gained value, some webmasters resorted to buying and selling links to artificially boost their search rankings. This practice undermined the integrity of search results and disadvantaged ethical website owners.

The nofollow tag was devised as a solution to these issues. It provided webmasters with a way to mark links that they didn’t endorse:

• Reduced Spam Impact: By not passing on ranking power, nofollow links made comment spam less effective, discouraging spammers and improving the quality of comments.
• Promoted Editorial Integrity: Nofollow discouraged the buying and selling of links for ranking manipulation, promoting more natural and editorial link building practices.
• Enhanced User Experience: By filtering out irrelevant nofollow links, search engines could focus on displaying more relevant and trustworthy results, improving user experience.

While the nofollow tag initially addressed these significant problems, it has evolved over time:

• Newer Attributes for Context: Attributes like “sponsored” and “ugc” provide search engines with more specific information about the nature of links, aiding their understanding and interpretation.
• Continued Value: Despite not directly affecting ranking, nofollow links still retain value for driving traffic, brand awareness, and building relationships.

How to technically implement NoFollow Links

The technical implementation of nofollow links depends on the platform you’re using for your website:

HTML

• The standard way to implement a nofollow link is directly in the HTML code of your webpage. Simply add the rel="nofollow" attribute to the opening <a> tag of the link, like this:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">This is a nofollow link</a>

Content Management Systems (CMS)

• Most popular CMS platforms have built-in options for setting links as nofollow. Here are some examples:
  • WordPress: You can find the “nofollow” checkbox when editing a link in the post editor.
  • Joomla: Look for the “nofollow” option in the advanced settings of the link editor.
  • Drupal: Enable the “Link is external” and “Rel=nofollow” checkboxes in the link settings.

Plugins and Extensions

• Some plugins or extensions specifically designed for SEO purposes offer additional features for managing nofollow links, such as bulk editing or automated implementation based on specific criteria.

Other Platforms

• The specific method for implementing nofollow links will vary depending on the platform you’re using. Consult the platform’s documentation or support resources for further guidance.

Best practices for using NoFollow Links

• Nofollow links, while not directly impacting search engine rankings, still play a crucial role in maintaining website integrity, preventing spam, and providing context for search engines. Here are some best practices for using them effectively:

When to Use Nofollow

• Sponsored Content: Clearly mark paid links or sponsored content with rel="sponsored" instead of nofollow. This provides transparency and adheres to Google’s guidelines.
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Use rel="ugc" for links within comments, forums, and other UGC to prevent spam and manipulation.
• Untrusted or Low-Quality Links: If you can’t vouch for a link’s quality or relevance, use nofollow to avoid potential negative impacts.
• Social Media Profiles: Linking to social media profiles typically doesn’t need nofollow, unless they’re part of paid advertising.
• Affiliate Links: While Google recommends rel="sponsored" for affiliate links, nofollow is also acceptable depending on your platform’s settings.

General Practices

• Be Consistent: Apply nofollow attributes consistently across your website based on your chosen criteria.
• Avoid Overuse: Nofollowing all external links can hinder website discoverability. Use them judiciously only where necessary.
• Consider Alternatives: Explore alternative link attributes like sponsored and ugc for more specific information to search engines.
• Stay Updated: Be aware of evolving search engine guidelines and best practices regarding nofollow links and associated attributes.

Link attribution

• Link attribution refers to the practice of identifying and acknowledging the source of a link that directs users to your website. This is important for several reasons:

Benefits of Link Attribution:

• Ethical Use of Content: Giving credit where credit is due is vital for ethical online practices. It acknowledges the work of others and promotes good online citizenship.
• Improving SEO: While traditional nofollow links don’t directly impact search rankings, some research suggests search engines may consider contextual factors like attribution positively.
• Building Relationships: Attributing links can foster positive relationships with other websites and content creators, potentially leading to future collaborations or mentions.
• Enhancing Transparency: Attributing links shows visitors that you value the information you use and builds trust in your content.
• Copyright Compliance: In some cases, attribution may be necessary to comply with copyright laws when using material from other sources.

Methods of Link Attribution:

• Direct Mention: Simply mention the source website or author within your content near the linked text.
• Hyperlinked Citation: Create a hyperlink to the source website using the text of the website name or author’s name.
• Footer Citation: List the source website and link in your website’s footer, especially for reused content.
• Attribution Plugin: Use a plugin or extension designed for link attribution, which can automate the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nofollow links play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of search results and preventing spam. By understanding their purpose, implementation methods, and best practices, website owners and content creators can leverage their benefits while adhering to ethical online practices. Remember, responsible use of nofollow links contributes to a healthier and more trustworthy online environment for everyone.