In the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), backlinks are among the most influential factors that determine a website’s ranking. However, not all backlinks are created equal — some pass authority to your site, while others don’t. This distinction brings us to two essential link attributes: Do-Follow and No-Follow backlinks.
Understanding the difference between do-follow and no-follow backlinks is vital for building a balanced and effective SEO strategy. Let’s dive deep into what they are, how they affect your SEO, and how you can use them wisely.
What Are Backlinks?
Before we discuss do-follow and no-follow links, let’s understand what backlinks actually are.
A backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another. When another site links to your web page, search engines see it as a vote of confidence. The more quality backlinks your website earns, the higher its chances of ranking on Google’s search results.
However, the quality and type of backlink play a bigger role than the sheer number of links — and that’s where Do-Follow and No-Follow attributes come into play.
What Are Do-Follow Backlinks?
A Do-Follow backlink is a standard link that passes link juice (or authority) from one website to another. When a high-authority website gives you a do-follow link, it tells search engines that your website is credible and worth ranking higher.
For example:
<a href=”https://www.yoursite.com”>Visit Your Website</a>
By default, all links are Do-Follow unless stated otherwise.
Benefits of Do-Follow Backlinks:
- Improve domain authority and page authority.
- Increase organic rankings in Google search results.
- Drive high-quality referral traffic.
- Boost brand trust and online visibility.
When other reputable sites link to your content naturally, it signals to Google that your website provides value — a key factor in SEO success.
What Are No-Follow Backlinks?
A No-Follow backlink tells search engines not to pass authority to the linked page. This is achieved using a small HTML attribute called rel=”nofollow”.
For example:
<a href=”https://www.yoursite.com” rel=”nofollow”>Visit Your Website</a>
These links were introduced by Google in 2005 to combat spammy link-building practices, such as comment spam or paid backlinks.
Characteristics of No-Follow Backlinks:
- They don’t pass PageRank.
- They don’t directly affect your search engine ranking.
- They still bring traffic and brand exposure.
Although No-Follow backlinks don’t pass SEO authority, they are still beneficial for diversifying your backlink profile and driving referral traffic.
Key Differences Between Do-Follow and No-Follow Backlinks
| Feature | Do-Follow Backlink | No-Follow Backlink |
| Passes Link Juice | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Helps SEO Ranking | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| HTML Attribute | <a href=”URL”> | <a href=”URL” rel=”nofollow”> |
| Crawled by Google | ✅ Yes | ✅ Sometimes (for reference) |
| Traffic Potential | ✅ High | ✅ Moderate |
| Used In | Guest posts, Editorial links | Blog comments, Forums, Social media |
In short, Do-Follow backlinks help build authority and improve rankings, while No-Follow backlinks are mainly for safe link diversification and traffic.
Why Both Do-Follow and No-Follow Links Matter
A natural backlink profile should include both do-follow and no-follow links. Google looks for authenticity — if your website only has do-follow backlinks, it may appear suspicious and manipulative.
Here’s why both matter:
- Natural Link Profile – A healthy backlink profile has a mix of both link types, showing that your backlinks come from various genuine sources.
- Traffic Diversification – No-follow links from high-traffic sites like YouTube, Facebook, Quora, or Reddit can still bring valuable referral traffic.
- Brand Exposure – Even if a no-follow link doesn’t pass SEO value, it helps your brand appear across the web.
- Improved Crawl Paths – Search engines may still follow no-follow links for discovery, which can help your content get indexed faster.
By maintaining a balance between Do-Follow and No-Follow backlinks, you enhance your website’s credibility and safeguard it from Google penalties.
How to Check If a Backlink Is Do-Follow or No-Follow
You can easily check the type of backlinks your website has using SEO tools like:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Moz
- Ubersuggest
- Google Chrome Inspect Element
To manually check, right-click a link and select “Inspect.” If you see rel=”nofollow” in the HTML, it’s a No-Follow backlink; if not, it’s a Do-Follow one.
When to Use Do-Follow Backlinks
Use Do-Follow backlinks when you want to transfer authority and strengthen SEO value. Ideal sources include:
- Guest blogging on high-authority websites.
- Earning editorial mentions from reputable media outlets.
- Submitting press releases or case studies.
- Partnering with trusted influencers or industry leaders.
- Building relationships through quality outreach.
These links have a strong impact on your Google ranking and overall SEO performance.
When to Use No-Follow Backlinks
No-Follow backlinks are best suited when you want to share information without endorsing the linked website. You should use no-follow links:
- In comment sections or forums (to prevent spam).
- When linking to untrusted or unfamiliar websites.
- In sponsored posts or affiliate links (to comply with Google’s guidelines).
- On social media and directory submissions.
By applying the nofollow attribute properly, you keep your link profile clean and compliant with search engine rules.
SEO Impact of Do-Follow vs No-Follow Backlinks
Do-Follow backlinks play a direct role in improving your website’s SEO performance by increasing link equity and domain authority. They help Google understand which sites are reputable and deserve higher rankings.
On the other hand, No-Follow backlinks indirectly influence SEO by driving referral traffic, improving brand visibility, and encouraging more users to visit your site — which can eventually lead to organic backlinks from other webmasters.
Thus, while do-follow links boost your ranking power, no-follow links build your brand reputation and audience trust — both are crucial for long-term growth.
How to Build Quality Backlinks
Building backlinks — whether do-follow or no-follow — requires strategy and patience. Here are some effective ways to do it:
- Guest Posting: Contribute high-quality articles to relevant blogs to earn do-follow backlinks.
- Broken Link Building: Find broken links on other websites and suggest your content as a replacement.
- Create Shareable Content: Publish infographics, guides, or tools that others naturally link to.
- Engage in Communities: Participate in forums, Reddit threads, and Quora discussions (no-follow links that drive traffic).
- Press Releases: Get featured in media outlets or PR sites to build credibility.
Remember — quality matters more than quantity. Avoid buying backlinks or participating in link exchanges, as these can result in Google penalties.
Common Myths About Do-Follow and No-Follow Links
- “No-Follow Links Are Useless.”
False — they still bring traffic and credibility. - “Only Do-Follow Links Improve SEO.”
Not entirely — Google considers a natural mix important. - “You Should Remove All No-Follow Links.”
Wrong — diversity strengthens your link profile.
“You Can Rank Fast with Many Do-Follow Links.”
Untrue — it’s about relevance and authority, not just numbers.
Understanding the difference between Do-Follow vs No-Follow backlinks is crucial for developing a powerful and balanced SEO strategy.
While Do-Follow backlinks help improve your ranking by passing link juice, No-Follow backlinks enhance your visibility and drive traffic from diverse sources. A healthy website should have both to look natural in the eyes of Google.
By focusing on creating valuable content, building genuine relationships, and earning backlinks organically, you’ll strengthen your website’s authority and long-term SEO performance.