Introduction:
If you're serious about blogging, SEO, or building your online brand, mastering how to use Nofollow and Dofollow links is not optional, it's essential. These attributes impact how search engines interpret your blog’s authority, credibility, and ranking. Whether you're running a personal blog, a commercial site, or an educational platform, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know with examples, strategies, and best practices.
🔗 What Are Hyperlinks and Why Do They Matter?
Hyperlinks are the foundation of the internet. They connect your content to other resources, either internal (within your blog) or external (outside your domain). While they enhance user experience, they also influence SEO metrics, crawling behavior, and link equity distribution. That's where Nofollow and Dofollow tags play a key role.
🧩 Understanding Nofollow Links
A Nofollow link is an anchor tag that includes the attribute rel="nofollow", which tells search engines not to follow the link or pass any link juice to the destination page. Originally introduced by Google to combat spam, this tag is now used for editorial control.
💡 HTML Syntax Example
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Example Site</a>📆 A Brief History
Google introduced the rel="nofollow" tag in 2005 as a response to comment spam and shady link practices. Over time, its use extended to affiliate links, sponsored posts, and any external URL the site owner does not fully endorse.
🛡️ When Should You Use Nofollow Links in Blogger?
- Affiliate links, paid promotions, or advertisements
- Sources you're not confident in or haven't vetted
- User-generated content like comments or guest posts
- Sites that compete with your niche or commercial intent
- Links placed for strategic outreach without endorsement
🚧 Real-World Blogger Examples
Let’s say you're writing a review of a product and include a link to the manufacturer's site. If it’s an affiliate link, you should make it Nofollow. However, if you're referencing a trusted government study, a Dofollow link would be more appropriate.
🛠️ How to Create Nofollow Links in Blogger
- Open your post in the Blogger editor.
- Select the text you want to hyperlink.
- Click the chain icon to insert a link.
- Check the box labeled “Nofollow” or manually add
rel="nofollow". - Save your changes and publish.
🔍 Deep Dive: Dofollow Links Explained
A Dofollow link is the default hyperlink behavior that allows search engines to follow the link and pass PageRank or link equity to the target page. These links help build trust, increase visibility, and boost SEO rankings when used wisely.
⚙️ HTML Syntax Example
<a href="https://authoritative-site.com">Trusted Source</a>🎯 Benefits of Dofollow Links
- Enhances domain authority and page authority
- Helps search engines understand your content relevance
- Can improve rankings when linked to reliable sources
- Strengthens relationships with reputable brands and bloggers
🎓 Blogger SEO Strategy Tip
Always ensure your Dofollow links point to sites with good reputations. Linking to spammy or low-quality domains, even with good intentions, can dilute your SEO signals and lead to penalties.
🛠️ How to Insert Dofollow Links in Blogger
- Highlight the anchor text in your post.
- Click the link tool icon.
- Leave the “Nofollow” checkbox unchecked.
- Apply the link and save.
📊 Nofollow vs Dofollow Comparison Table
| Feature | Nofollow | Dofollow |
|---|---|---|
| Search Engine Crawling | No | Yes |
| Passes Link Authority | No | Yes |
| SEO Impact | Limited | Strong |
| Best Usage | Ads, user content, affiliate links | Trusted references, strategic SEO |
🧠 Strategic Balance: How to Mix Nofollow and Dofollow
Search engines prefer a natural link profile. Overuse of Dofollow links to questionable sites or excessive Nofollowing can signal manipulation. A smart blogger should mix link types based on context, intent, and the authority of the destination page.
✔️ Recommended Ratio
- External links to government/edu sites → Dofollow
- Sponsored product links → Nofollow
- Social media links → Nofollow
- Industry expert blogs → Dofollow
📈 How Search Engines Interpret Links
Google treats Nofollow links as “hints” rather than strict rules since 2019. This means they may still crawl and index Nofollow links depending on context. Meanwhile, Dofollow links remain primary signals of authority and trust.
🛠️ Google Search Console Insights
- Use the “Links” report to monitor inbound and outbound Dofollow links
- Check internal linking structure to maximize crawl efficiency
💬 Common Blogger Questions
Should I make all external links Nofollow?
No. Only use Nofollow for promotional, unverified, or non-endorsed sources. Linking to authoritative domains helps your blog build trust.
Does a Nofollow link offer any SEO value?
Indirectly, yes. While it doesn’t pass PageRank, it still contributes to traffic generation, referral awareness, and credibility building.
Can I switch a link from Nofollow to Dofollow later?
Absolutely. As your relationship with the destination site matures or you verify its credibility, adjust accordingly.
🧠 Advanced Tips for Smart Bloggers
- Use tools like Moz, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to audit your backlink profile
- Don’t overuse exact-match anchor text, diversity is key
- Add
rel="ugc"for user-generated comments andrel="sponsored"for paid links - Analyze competitor linking strategies to adapt your SEO approach
💼 Case Study: Blogger Monetization & Link Ethics
Hussein runs a monetized Blogger site integrated with Cloudflare and custom domains. Through ethical link practices, such as labeling affiliate links Nofollow and referencing Google Search Console guides with Dofollow links, his site maintains ranking stability even during algorithm changes. Combining technical skill, like manual DNS configuration and bilingual ALT text, with link integrity gives Hussein's site an edge in both traffic and trust.
🎯 Conclusion
Links aren’t just paths, they’re signals. Treat every hyperlink as a vote of trust, and
