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SEO Dofollow Link

A normal hyperlink that search engines can follow and may pass link equity to the linked page by default when no blocking attribute is present.

If you have ever assumed every external link should be dofollow, you already know the rule is not that simple.

Key points

  • Use rel="sponsored" for paid or sponsored links to comply with Google guidelines.
  • Apply rel="ugc" to user-generated content links like forum posts or comments.
  • A dofollow link from a low-quality site carries less value than a nofollow from a trusted one.
  • Internal links are dofollow by default and help distribute authority across your own pages.
  • Never buy dofollow links in bulk; Google treats unnatural patterns as a violation.

A backlink from a blog post that moved a page up

A gardening site published a 1,200-word guide on soil pH. A local nursery linked to it from a dofollow link in a relevant article. Within six weeks, the guide moved from position 18 to position 6 for its target keyword. The nursery's domain had a high topical relevance, and the link appeared in natural editorial context. No other backlinks were added during that period. The single dofollow link, combined with strong on-page content, was enough to shift the ranking.

Three situations where this changes your decision

  • Paid placements If you pay for a link or receive a product in exchange for a mention, mark it rel="sponsored" to avoid penalties.
  • User comments Links in blog comments or forum posts should carry rel="ugc" so search engines know the content is user-generated, not editorial.
  • Internal linking strategy Use dofollow internal links to pass authority to important pages like cornerstone content or product pages; avoid wasting equity on thin pages.

Three ways it goes wrong

  • Quantity over quality Building hundreds of dofollow backlinks from irrelevant directories signals manipulation rather than trust, and can trigger a manual action from Google.
  • Ignoring context A dofollow link from a spammy site can harm your profile more than a nofollow from a reputable source, because relevance and trust matter more than the attribute.
  • No attribute on paid links Leaving a paid link as plain dofollow violates Google's guidelines and risks a manual action, even if the link is editorially placed.

Common questions

Is every link without a rel attribute dofollow?

Yes, by default a link with no rel attribute is treated as dofollow by search engines.

Can a dofollow link hurt my rankings?

Yes, if it comes from a low-quality or irrelevant site, it may signal spam and reduce trust.

Should I make all internal links dofollow?

Generally yes, but avoid linking to thin or low-value pages that waste authority; focus dofollow internal links on pages you want to rank.

Sources

  1. Google Search Central Official guidelines on qualifying outbound links with rel attributes.
  2. Ahrefs Glossary Definition and explanation of dofollow links in SEO context.
  3. Semrush Blog Practical advice on using dofollow links in link building.
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