What is the difference between nofollow and DoFollow Backlinks: Common Mix-Ups

Nofollow vs DoFollow Backlinks: What’s the Real Difference?

A small blog gets a shoutout from a major news site. Within days, its rankings climb, traffic grows, and trust builds. That boost did not happen by accident. It happened because of a powerful link pointing back to that blog.

Backlinks are simply links from other websites to yours. Think of them as public votes that say, this page is worth visiting. If you came here asking, What is the difference between nofollow and DoFollow Backlinks, you are in the right place. We will break it down in plain English.

You will learn what backlinks are, how search engines use them, and how DoFollow and nofollow links work. You will also learn how to spot each type, how to build them safely, and when to use nofollow for protection. Let’s walk through the key differences that shape your SEO results.

What Are Backlinks in SEO and Why Do They Matter?

Backlinks are links on other sites that point to your pages. In SEO, they act like votes of confidence that help search engines judge quality. When more trusted sites link to you, your content looks more credible.

Google uses backlinks to find pages and decide how to rank them. Not all links carry the same weight. A link from a well known site can help a lot. A spammy link can harm you. This is why link quality matters more than raw counts.

Here is the simple view of What is Backlinks in SEO: they are pathways that pass authority and send visitors. Authority helps rankings. Visitors help growth. A popular blog that links to your guide can send steady traffic. That link can also lift your page higher in search results.

You will often hear about DA and PA in SEO. These are third party metrics. DA means Domain Authority, a Moz score that predicts how strong a domain is. PA means Page Authority, which predicts how strong a specific page is. Higher scores often align with stronger links, although search engines do not use these scores directly.

Different link types affect how much authority flows. DoFollow links can pass ranking power. Nofollow links usually do not, but they can still bring clicks and brand signals. Knowing which is which helps you plan smarter.

 

How to Spot a DoFollow or Nofollow Link Quickly

The difference lives in the HTML. A nofollow link uses the rel="nofollow" attribute. A DoFollow link does not include that attribute.

Quick check:

1. Right click the link, then choose Inspect.
2. In the code, look for the <a> tag.
3. If you see rel="nofollow" or rel="sponsored" or rel="ugc", it is not passing authority by default. No rel attribute usually means DoFollow.

Examples:

• Do follow link example: <a href="https://example.com">Helpful guide</a>
• Nofollow link example: <a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Helpful guide</a>

You can also use a Chrome add on like Do follow and NoFollow extension chrome to highlight link types on any page.

What is a DoFollow Backlinks: The Power Players in Your SEO Strategy

A DoFollow link is a normal link that passes authority to your page. Search engines treat it as a trust signal. That trust can help your rankings climb. If you ask, What is DoFollow Backlinks, it is any link without a nofollow style attribute. Is DoFollow good for backlinks? Yes, when it comes from a trusted, relevant site.

DoFollow links tell search engines, this content is useful. That is why many SEOs say DoFollow links answer the question, which backlink is most powerful. They help pages rank, they help domains grow, and they compound over time as your site gains more visibility.

How to do dofollow backlinks the right way:

• Create content that earns links. Original data, deep guides, and tools work well.
• Pitch guest posts on relevant sites. Offer value, not fluff.
• Earn mentions with PR. Share expert quotes and research.
• Build relationships with editors and writers. Be helpful and consistent.
• Fix broken links. Offer your resource as a replacement.
• Use internal linking. Pass authority inside your site.

Stay safe. Avoid buying links or joining link farms. Spammy DoFollow links can trigger penalties. If a site looks low quality, off topic, or filled with ads, skip it. A single solid link from a high DA publisher can beat dozens of weak links.

Real world example: a high-DA tech magazine links to your how-to guide. Your page gains authority, ranks for more keywords, and picks up new links on its own. That is the compounding effect you want.

Real Examples of DoFollow Links That Drive Results

Examples include links from news outlets, niche blogs, and reference sites. A standard DoFollow looks like this: <a href="https://example.com">Anchor text</a>. There is no rel="nofollow" in the tag.

How to know if a blog is dofollow backlink: open a post, view source or Inspect, then scan the <a> tags. If there is no nofollow, it is DoFollow. These links are valuable because they can pass authority and help rankings.

What is a Nofollow Backlinks: Valuable Allies or Just Filler?

A nofollow link includes a rel="nofollow" attribute. It tells search engines not to pass authority. What is a nofollow backlink in practice? It is a link that usually does not boost rankings directly, but still has value.

Are nofollow links good for SEO? Yes, in indirect ways. They can send referral traffic, build brand signals, and keep your link profile natural. Social media links, forum profiles, comment sections, and many news sites often use nofollow by default. You can still get clicks and users from those links.

Use nofollow when you do not want to vouch for a link. Common cases include user generated content, untrusted sources, or paid placements. Google also recognizes rel="sponsored" for ads and rel="ugc" for user content. These tags protect your site from risk. They tell search engines you are not trying to manipulate rankings.

Nofollow is not filler. A smart mix matters. Think of it like traffic lanes. DoFollow lanes pass authority. Nofollow lanes bring visitors and brand exposure. A healthy site uses both, especially from places like Reddit, YouTube descriptions, press release pickups, and ad campaigns. The clicks, mentions, and search demand that follow can still lift your site over time.

How to Identify and Use Nofollow Links Effectively

To check, Inspect the link and look for rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc". Many CMS platforms add these tags for comments or sponsored posts.

How to know if a link is dofollow or nofollow:

• View source or Inspect and read the <a> tag.
• Use the Do follow and NoFollow extension chrome to color code links.
• Keep a sheet of your top links and mark their type.

Aim for a natural profile. Mix strong DoFollow editorial links with branded nofollow mentions. This reduces risk and keeps your growth steady.

What is DA and PA in SEO (What is Domain Authority and What is Page Authority)

DA means Domain Authority. PA means Page Authority. Both are Moz metrics that estimate how likely a domain or page is to rank. They are useful for comparing link prospects, not as absolute truth.

Use DA to gauge the overall strength of a site. Use PA to judge the power of the specific page that will link to you. A link from a page with high PA on a site with decent DA can be very strong. Check DA and PA with tools like Moz, Ahrefs, or Semrush alternatives that provide similar authority signals.

Which backlink is most powerful

Editorial DoFollow links from relevant, trusted sites carry the most weight. A single contextual link in the body of an article often beats dozens of sidebar or footer links. Power comes from relevance, authority, placement, and anchor text that fits the context. Aim for quality, not volume.

How to know if a link is dofollow or nofollow

• Inspect the link using your browser’s developer tools.
• Look for the rel attribute on the <a> tag.
• No rel means DoFollow by default. rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc" means it is not passing authority.
• Use a browser add on to highlight the difference at a glance.

Do follow and NoFollow extension chrome

The Do follow and NoFollow extension chrome highlights link types on any page. Install it, toggle it on, and browse. DoFollow links and nofollow links will display with different styles. This speeds up audits, outreach checks, and competitor research. Use it alongside your manual Inspect checks for accuracy.

Conclusion

Here is the quick answer to what’s the difference between a follow vs. a nofollow link. DoFollow links pass authority that can lift rankings. Nofollow links usually do not pass authority, but they still drive traffic and support a natural profile.

Quick comparison:

Link type	Passes authority	Best use case	Risk level
DoFollow	Yes	Editorial mentions, guest posts, PR	Higher if spammy
Nofollow	No	Social, comments, ads, forums	Low when used right

Build with care. Focus on quality, context, and trust. Mix in nofollow links for traffic and safety. Use DA and PA checks to filter targets, but judge the page and audience first.

Take the next step. Audit your top links, mark types, and fix risky ones. Pitch two guest posts this month. Try the Do follow and NoFollow extension chrome to speed up reviews. When in doubt, ask yourself, would I still want this link if search engines did not exist? If yes, you are on the right path.