In SEO, links are like bridges connecting websites. But not all links work the same way. That’s where nofollow and dofollow links come in. Dofollow links are the type that tells search engines, “This link is valuable, and you should consider it when ranking the website.” They pass on SEO benefits and can help a site rank higher. On the other hand, nofollow links signal to search engines, “Don’t pass ranking power through this link.” While they don’t directly boost rankings, they can still drive traffic and build trust.
When comparing do follow vs. no follow, dofollow links are better for SEO. However, a mix of dofollow and nofollow links in SEO creates a natural and effective link profile.
How to Check Dofollow and Nofollow Links
It’s easy to identify the type of links on a webpage. There are several ways to do this. You can inspect the HTML code, use browser tools, or rely on platforms like Ahrefs for detailed insights. These methods are essential for effective online link building, helping you understand and improve your link strategy.
Manually Checking Links
The simplest way to check dofollow link types is by inspecting the HTML code of a webpage. You can do this directly in your browser:
- Open the webpage.
- Right-click on the link you want to check.
- Select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element.”
- Look at the HTML code of the link.
- If you see rel="nofollow", it’s a nofollow link.
- If no rel attribute is present, it’s a dofollow link.
The benefit of this method is that it requires no special tools or installations. It’s a reliable option for quick checks on individual links, especially if you’re analyzing a small number of pages. It also helps you familiarize yourself with how links are structured in HTML, which can be useful if you’re managing your website. However, this method becomes less practical when working with multiple pages or a large number of links.
Using Browser Extensions
Browser extensions make checking link types faster and more visual. Many tools highlight nofollow links directly on the webpage. For example, the “NoFollow Simple” Chrome extension highlights nofollow links in red. Dofollow links are left unmarked. Another popular option is SEO Minion, which provides additional SEO insights:
- Install the extension in your browser.
- Activate the extension when visiting a webpage.
- View the highlighted links.
- Nofollow links are marked or highlighted.
- Dofollow links remain unmarked.
Browser extensions are fast and easy to use. You don’t need to inspect each link manually. They show nofollow links instantly as you browse. This is helpful for scanning large pages or checking competitors’ websites. Extensions are simple and work well for non-technical users. However, they are best for quick checks. They don’t offer detailed reports or insights for multiple pages.
Online Link Checkers
If you prefer not to use extensions, online tools are another option. Many websites offer free link-checking services. These tools scan your page and list all the links. They also label each link as dofollow or nofollow. Online tools like SmallSEOTools’ Backlink Checker and Neil Patel’s Backlink Checker help analyze links on a page. These tools scan the entire page and list all links, labeling them as dofollow or nofollow. How to do it:
- Visit an online dofollow link checker tool.
- Enter the URL of the page you want to analyze.
- Wait for the tool to generate a report.
- Review the list of links and their types.
These tools are easy to access. You don’t need to install anything, and many are free. They work well for small-scale analyses or one-time checks. They also provide a clear overview of all links on a page. This helps you spot patterns quickly. However, free versions often have limits, like a cap on the number of links or pages you can analyze.
Checking Links with Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a powerful platform for link analysis. It offers detailed insights into backlinks, including their types. It’s one of the best tools to use as a dofollow nofollow link checker.
Steps to Use Ahrefs:
- Log into your Ahrefs account. If you don’t have one, sign up for a trial or subscription.
- Go to the Site Explorer tool.
- Enter the URL or domain you want to analyze.
- Click on the “Backlinks” tab to view all links pointing to the site.
- Use filters to separate dofollow and nofollow links.
- Select “Dofollow” to see only dofollow links.
- Select “Nofollow” to see only nofollow links.
- Analyze anchor text, referring domains, and the quality of links.
- Export the report for further analysis if needed.
Ahrefs also shows you the anchor text used for each link. This is the clickable part of the link. Reviewing this can help you understand how other sites are linking to you.
For example, a report might show:
- Dofollow link from example1.com with anchor text “Learn more.”
- Nofollow link from example2.com with anchor text “Click here.”
The benefit of using Ahrefs is its depth of analysis. It doesn’t just show you link types but also provides other valuable insights, such as anchor text, referring domains, and link quality. This helps you understand which links are benefiting your site the most and where you might need improvements. Ahrefs also allows you to export data, which is useful for tracking progress or sharing reports. While it is a powerful tool, it’s best suited for those who need detailed insights or are managing larger SEO campaigns, as it involves a subscription cost.
Why Check Dofollow and Nofollow Links?
Both types of links have their role in SEO. Dofollow links pass SEO value, helping the linked site rank better. They are essential for building authority and improving rankings. Nofollow links, while they don’t pass SEO value, still have benefits. They can bring traffic, improve brand visibility, and create connections. Search engines also like a natural mix of both types of links. For example, if all your links are dofollow, it might look suspicious. A mix of dofollow and nofollow links make your link profile appear more natural.
Common Use Cases for Nofollow Links
Websites use nofollow external links in specific situations. For instance, most social media platforms and forums use nofollow links. This prevents spammers from benefiting SEO-wise. Ads and sponsored content often use nofollow links too. This keeps them separate from organic content. User-generated content, like blog comments, is another example. By default, most platforms add the nofollow tag to these links to avoid passing SEO value to unknown sources.
Building a Balanced Link Profile
Relying only on dofollow links isn’t the best strategy. Dofollow links help improve rankings, but nofollow links add value too. They drive traffic, diversify your link profile, and help you reach more people. Balance is important. Focus on getting quality dofollow links. At the same time, include nofollow links when appropriate. Guest blogging, for example, can provide both types depending on the website’s rules.
Checking your links regularly is essential. You can inspect links manually or use browser tools. Platforms like Ahrefs make it even easier. They show you the types of links and help you refine your SEO strategy.
The answers to your questions
How to Find Dofollow Links?
Dofollow links can be identified by checking their properties. These are links that pass ranking value from one site to another, helping with SEO. You can inspect them using browser tools or rely on SEO platforms like Ahrefs or SEMrush. These tools analyze the links pointing to your site and filter out dofollow links for easy identification. They also provide details like anchor text and referring domains, which help you evaluate the quality of the links.
What is the HTML Attribute “Nofollow”?
The nofollow attribute is a way to tell search engines not to pass ranking power through a link. It’s often used for links in paid or sponsored content, user-generated content, or situations where you don’t want to endorse another site. While it prevents ranking benefits, nofollow links can still bring traffic and contribute to a natural backlink profile, which search engines value.
How to Find Dofollow Backlinks?
SEO tools like Ahrefs or Moz are the most effective here. They provide a detailed backlink profile, showing which links to your site are dofollow. This is crucial for understanding which links contribute to your rankings. You can also see where these links come from, the type of content linking to you, and whether they align with your target audience.
When to Use Nofollow Links?
Nofollow links are useful when you don’t want to pass SEO value to another site. They’re ideal for paid links, affiliate partnerships, or any link to untrusted sources. They also help prevent spam in areas like blog comments or forums. Using nofollow links in these situations protects your site’s credibility while still allowing users to access useful resources.
What is Rel Nofollow?
Rel nofollow is an instruction for search engines to ignore a link when calculating ranking value. It’s used for situations like paid ads, affiliate links, or unverified content. While search engines don’t count these links for ranking, they still play a role in driving traffic and maintaining a balanced backlink profile.
Do Nofollow Links Help Rankings?
Nofollow links don’t directly impact rankings since they don’t pass SEO value. However, they’re still valuable. They can drive traffic, improve visibility, and help create a diverse link profile. A mix of dofollow and nofollow links shows search engines that your site has natural and organic connections, which is beneficial in the long run.
