A dofollow link is a standard hyperlink that allows search engines to follow it and pass link equity (authority) from one page to another. By default, all links are dofollow unless a specific attribute (like nofollow) tells search engines otherwise.
In SEO terms, dofollow links are valuable because they help search engines like Google understand which pages are trusted, relevant, and worthy of ranking higher.
How Dofollow Links Work
When a webpage includes a dofollow link:
- Search engine crawlers follow the link
- Authority from the linking page flows to the linked page
- The destination page gains ranking potential
There is no special code needed to make a link dofollow. A normal HTML link looks like this:
<a href="https://example.com">Example Website</a>
Because no restrictive attribute is present, this link passes link equity.
Why Dofollow Links Matter for SEO
Dofollow links are one of the strongest ranking signals in SEO. They help:
- Improve keyword rankings
- Increase page and domain authority
- Speed up content discovery and indexing
- Build trust and credibility
- Support long-term organic traffic growth
High-quality dofollow backlinks from authoritative and relevant websites are especially powerful.
Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links
| Dofollow Links | Nofollow Links |
|---|---|
| Pass link equity | Do not pass link equity |
| Help improve rankings | Used for control and spam prevention |
| Default link type | Require a special attribute |
| Valuable for SEO | Valuable mainly for traffic and branding |
Both types can be useful, but dofollow links are essential for ranking growth.
Examples of Dofollow Links
- An editorial link from a blog article
- A contextual link inside a news story
- A guest post link on a relevant website
- Internal links between your own pages
In contrast, many blog comments, ads, and sponsored links are nofollow by default.
How to Get Dofollow Links
- Publish high-quality, link-worthy content
- Earn editorial mentions from blogs and media
- Guest post on reputable industry sites
- Build digital PR and outreach campaigns
- Use strong internal linking structures
Focus on quality over quantity a few strong dofollow links often outperform many weak ones.
Common Dofollow Link Mistakes
- Chasing links from irrelevant or spammy sites
- Over-optimizing anchor text
- Buying links that violate search engine guidelines
- Ignoring internal dofollow links
- Assuming all backlinks are dofollow
Are Dofollow Links Always Good?
Not necessarily. A dofollow link from a low-quality or penalized site can harm your SEO. Relevance, authority, and trust matter more than the link type alone.
FAQs About Dofollow Links
Are all links dofollow by default?
Yes. Links are dofollow unless they include a nofollow, sponsored, or UGC attribute.
Do internal links count as dofollow links?
Yes. Internal links pass link equity and are a powerful SEO tool.
Can nofollow links become dofollow later?
Yes, if the site owner removes the nofollow attribute.
How can I check if a link is dofollow?
Inspect the page’s HTML or use SEO browser extensions.
Do dofollow links guarantee higher rankings?
No, but they significantly improve ranking potential when they come from high-quality, relevant sources.