Dofollow vs Nofollow links: which actually pass SEO value?
Dofollow links pass authority (PageRank) from one site to another and are the default link type. Nofollow links carry a rel='nofollow' attribute that historically told Google not to pass authority. In 2019 Google reclassified nofollow as a hint rather than a directive, which changed the calculus for link building strategy.
Dofollow links from authoritative, relevant sites remain the highest-impact backlinks. Nofollow links from major publications still carry value as trust signals and traffic drivers, even if they pass less direct ranking authority.
Side-by-side breakdown
| Dimension | Dofollow | Nofollow |
|---|---|---|
| Direct ranking impact | High | Low to moderate (since 2019 hint) |
| Traffic value | Same as nofollow | Same as dofollow |
| Trust signal | Strong | Moderate |
| Natural profile | Should be majority | Healthy minority (10–30%) |
| Common sources | Editorial, resource pages, citations | Comments, social, sponsored content |
| Worth pursuing | Yes, primary focus | Yes, especially from major publications |
Who should choose what
Choose Dofollow if…
Editorial links, niche-relevant resource pages, association memberships, partner sites. Pursue these aggressively as the core of any link strategy.
Choose Nofollow if…
Don't avoid nofollow links from major publications, Wikipedia, or relevant comments. They drive traffic, brand signals, and the natural backlink profile Google expects to see.
Still not sure which is right?
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