Dofollow Links Explained: How to Get Them for Your Website

Vineet

February 12, 2025

Have you ever wondered why some websites rank higher in search results while others struggle to get noticed? The secret often lies in dofollow links – the digital handshakes between websites that search engines love.

A do-follow link acts like a vote of confidence from one website to another. When Website A includes a dofollow link to Website B, it tells search engines, “Hey, this content is valuable and trustworthy!” These links pass authority and ranking power, making them essential building blocks for your SEO strategy.

Think of do-follow backlinks as recommendations from respected friends. The more quality recommendations you get, the more likely others will trust you too. That’s exactly how search engines view these links when determining your website’s authority and position in search results.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• What makes dofollow links different from other types of links
• Why they’re crucial for your website’s success
• Practical strategies to earn high-quality dofollow links
• Tools to check and monitor your backlink profile

Let’s dive into the world of dofollow links and unlock their potential for your website’s growth.

Understanding Dofollow Links

A dofollow link is a regular hyperlink that passes Search Engine Optimization (SEO) value from one website to another. It’s like a vote of confidence between websites. When you create a link without any special attributes, it’s automatically set as dofollow – that’s the default setting in HTML.

Here’s what a dofollow link looks like in HTML code: html Anchor Text

Link juice plays a crucial role in this process. It’s the SEO term for the value passed between websites through links. When Site A links to Site B with a dofollow link, it’s essentially sharing its authority and trust signals with Site B. The more authoritative Site A is, the more valuable that link juice becomes.

The power of link juice affects your website’s authority in several ways:

• Boosts your domain authority
• Helps search engines discover new pages
• Strengthens your topical relevance
• Improves your chances of ranking higher

By default, links are dofollow unless marked otherwise, passing authority across the web. Search engines use them to navigate and assess website relationships, identifying trusted sources in various niches.

Dofollow vs Nofollow Links

Let’s break down the key differences between follow and no-follow links.

Dofollow Links

Think of dofollow links as direct recommendations to search engines. When a website links to yours with a dofollow link, they’re telling search engines, “Hey, this content is valuable and trustworthy.” These links pass authority and can boost your search rankings.

Here’s how a dofollow link looks in HTML:

Dofollow link: html Your Website

The SEO community uses dofollow links strategically for:

• Linking to trusted, high-quality content
• Building relationships with reputable websites
• Creating natural link networks

Nofollow Links

Nofollow links work differently. They include a special HTML tag – rel=”nofollow” – that tells search engines, “Don’t count this link as an endorsement.” While they still drive traffic to your site, they don’t directly impact your search rankings.

Here’s how a nofollow link appears in HTML:

Nofollow link: html Your Website

Nofollow links are commonly used for:

• User-generated content
• Paid advertisements
• Blog comments
• Social media links

A healthy website needs both types of links. Search engines look for natural link patterns, and having a mix of dofollow and nofollow links signals authentic website growth.

Importance of Dofollow Links in SEO

Dofollow links are important for SEO because they serve as endorsements from other websites. When a trusted website links to yours with a dofollow attribute, search engines see this as a sign that your content is valuable and deserves recognition.

How Dofollow Links Work

You can think of dofollow links as recommendations on the internet. Each time a credible website links to yours, they’re essentially telling search engines: “Hey, this content is worth checking out.” These endorsements directly impact your website’s authority and search engine rankings.

Why Link Quality Matters

Not all dofollow links are created equal. A single dofollow link from an authoritative website in your industry can be more beneficial than multiple links from low-quality sources. Search engines consider several factors when determining the value of a link:

• The authority of the linking website
• The relevance of the link to your content
• The placement of the link within the content
• The anchor text used in the link
• The context in which the link is placed

Building a Natural Link Profile

Having a high-quality backlink profile means having a combination of both dofollow and nofollow links. This diversity indicates to search engines that your website is attracting organic attention and engagement. If your website only has dofollow links, it may raise suspicions about potential link manipulation.

To build a natural link profile, focus on:

• Creating high-quality content that people want to share
• Building relationships with influential figures in your industry
• Actively participating in relevant communities and forums
• Regularly monitoring your backlink profile for quality and relevance

Search engines use these signals to determine where your website ranks in search results. The more authoritative dofollow links you have pointing to your site, the stronger your website’s authority becomes within its specific niche.

How to Check if a Link is Dofollow or Nofollow

Identifying whether a link is dofollow or nofollow doesn’t require advanced technical skills. Let’s explore some practical methods to check link attributes.

1. Manual HTML Code Inspection

Right-click on any webpage and select “View Page Source” to examine the HTML code. Look for the link’s HTML tag (<a href>). A dofollow link appears without any rel attribute, while a nofollow link includes rel=”nofollow” in its tag.

• Example of a dofollow link: html Link Text
• Example of a nofollow link: html Link Text

2. Browser Extensions

Several browser extensions make link checking effortless:

• NoFollow Simple for Chrome: Highlights nofollow links in red
• SEOquake: Displays comprehensive link data including follow status
• MozBar: Shows link metrics and follow status while browsing

3. SEO Tools

Professional SEO tools provide detailed link analysis:

Ahrefs: Analyzes backlink profiles and identifies link attributes

SEMrush: Offers link audit features including follow status

Screaming Frog: Crawls websites and reports on link attributes

These tools help streamline the process of checking multiple links simultaneously, making it easier to audit your website’s link profile and competitor backlinks.

Ways to Get Dofollow Links

Getting quality do-follow links requires strategic planning and consistent effort. Let’s explore proven methods to build valuable dofollow backlinks for your website.

1. Guest Blogging

Writing articles for other blogs remains a powerful link-building strategy. Research relevant blogs in your niche and pitch unique content ideas that provide value to their audience. Make sure to:

• Study the blog’s content style and guidelines
• Create original, well-researched content
• Include relevant statistics and examples
• Add natural links to your website within the content

2. Create Link-Worthy Content

High-quality content naturally attracts backlinks. Focus on:

• In-depth guides and tutorials
• Original research and case studies
• Infographics and visual content
• Data-driven articles
• Expert interviews

3. Strategic Outreach

Build relationships with industry influencers and bloggers through personalized outreach:

• Research their work and interests
• Highlight mutual benefits
• Share your valuable content
• Suggest specific collaboration opportunities

4. HARO (Help A Reporter Out)

Connect with journalists seeking expert sources:

• Monitor relevant queries daily
• Respond quickly with valuable insights
• Include your credentials and website
• Provide unique perspectives on topics

5. Profile Creation and Local Listings

Create profiles on authority websites:

• Professional networking sites
• Industry-specific platforms
• Local business directories
• Chamber of commerce websites

6. Competitor Backlink Analysis

Study your competitors’ backlink profiles:

• Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz
• Identify high-quality link sources
• Replicate successful strategies
• Find gaps in their link profile

7. Local SEO Opportunities

Leverage local connections:

• Join local business associations
• Sponsor community events
• Partner with local organizations
• Encourage customer reviews on business platforms

Remember to maintain a natural link velocity and focus on building relationships rather than just acquiring links. Mix these strategies based on your industry and target audience for the best results.

Conclusion

Dofollow links are still an important part of effective SEO strategies. A good link-building approach includes both dofollow and nofollow links to create a natural backlink profile that search engines trust. Dofollow links pass valuable link equity to boost your website’s authority, while nofollow links add diversity and authenticity to your link profile.

Finding quality dofollow links takes time, creativity, and dedication to creating valuable content that others want to reference. Remember that the quality of links is more important than quantity – a single dofollow link from a reputable website can outweigh many links from low-authority sources.

Building a strong foundation of dofollow links takes time, but the long-term benefits for your website’s visibility and authority make it worthwhile. The key is to use ethical SEO practices and focus on building genuine relationships within your industry. Contact our team of SEO experts at Phoenix Ninja and accelerate your link building process.