Dofollow
What is dofollow?
Dofollow is a descriptor used in the realm of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to refer to hyperlinks that allow search engines to follow them and reach other web pages. Unlike “nofollow” links, which instruct search engine crawlers to ignore the link in terms of passing on link equity or “link juice,” dofollow links do not contain a rel=”nofollow” attribute in their HTML code. This means that dofollow links can contribute to the page rank or authority of the linked page, as they are considered endorsements or votes of confidence from one site to another in the eyes of search engines.
Why is dofollow important?
Backlink Building: Websites often seek dofollow links from reputable sources to improve their search engine rankings. For instance, a new tech blog might aim to get a dofollow link from an established tech news site to boost its visibility and authority.
Content Marketing: Quality content that is widely shared can naturally accumulate dofollow links, as other content creators reference and link back to the original source.
Guest Blogging: Writing articles for other websites in exchange for a dofollow link back to the author’s website is a common practice for increasing domain authority and search visibility.
How does dofollow work?
Dofollow links are the default type of hyperlink that allow search engines to follow them and pass on link equity or “link juice” to the linked website. This process helps improve the linked site’s search engine ranking by indicating the link is an endorsement of the content. When a website links to another with a dofollow link, it tells search engines to consider that link as a factor in their ranking algorithms. Unlike nofollow links, which tell search engines to ignore the link in terms of passing on authority, dofollow links can boost the visibility and authority of the linked site in search results. This mechanism is a crucial part of SEO strategies for building site authority and improving search rankings.
Good to know about dofollow
- Penalties for Unnatural Links – Search engines, especially Google, are adept at identifying and penalizing practices that attempt to manipulate rankings through artificial or spammy link-building tactics. An over-reliance on purchasing dofollow links or exchanging links in a manner that appears unnatural can lead to a site being penalized, negatively impacting its search visibility.
- Relevance and Quality Over Quantity: Not all dofollow links are equally valuable. Links from unrelated or low-quality sites may not contribute to, and can even harm, a site’s SEO performance. It’s crucial to focus on obtaining links that are both relevant to your site’s content and from reputable sources.
- Over-Optimization: Excessively optimized anchor text in dofollow backlinks can also trigger search engine penalties for appearing manipulative. It’s important to maintain a natural and varied anchor text profile.
In summary, while dofollow links are a powerful tool in SEO for enhancing a website’s authority and search engine ranking, they must be pursued with a focus on quality, relevance, and natural growth. This is to avoid potential pitfalls and penalties from search engines.