If you’re trying to rank higher on Google, you’ve probably heard that backlinks are important.
But not all backlinks are the same.
Some help boost your rankings. Others don’t do much at all.
So, what’s the difference?
The ones that pass SEO value are called dofollow backlinks.
They tell search engines, “Hey, this page is worth checking out.” When you get a dofollow link from a trusted site, it acts like a vote of confidence, and that can help your page show up higher in search results.
That means it can pass link juice and help your site grow in visibility and authority.
Want to know how it works and how to get more of them?
Keep reading. We’ll break it down step-by-step with real examples and simple tips you can use.
What are dofollow backlinks?
A dofollow backlink is a standard hyperlink that allows search engines to follow the link and pass authority, often called link juice, from one page to another.
These links help search engines understand which pages are valuable and trustworthy, influencing how those pages rank in search results.
While commonly referred to as “dofollow,” there’s no such attribute in the link’s HTML.
According to SEO.ai, pages that rank #1 on Google tend to have about 3.8 times more backlinks than those in positions 2 through 10.
Instead, a link is considered “dofollow” by default unless it includes a specific attribute like rel=”nofollow”, rel=”sponsored”, or rel=”ugc”, which tells search engines not to follow the link.
Here’s what a basic dofollow link looks like in page code:
<a href=”https://example.com“>Example</a>
Since there’s no added attribute, search engines treat this as a standard followed link and pass ranking signals through it.
How do they differ from nofollow links?
Nofollow links include a special attribute in the HTML code that instructs search engines not to pass any authority to the linked page.
These are often used for sponsored content, user-generated posts, or untrusted links.
In contrast, dofollow links contribute to SEO by signaling relevance and credibility, making them more valuable when building a strong backlink profile.
What’s the difference between dofollow and nofollow links?
While both dofollow and nofollow links look the same to users, they serve very different purposes when it comes to how search engines treat them.
A dofollow link is a regular hyperlink that search engines recognize, follow, and use to pass authority from one page to another.
This kind of link plays a key role in helping a page rank higher in search results because it shares value from the linking website.
A nofollow link, on the other hand, includes a small tag in its HTML code rel=”nofollow” that tells search engines not to count the link as a vote of confidence.
In simple terms, the link still works for users, but it doesn’t help improve the linked page’s ranking.
Even though search engines may still crawl the destination page, they won’t pass along the usual ranking signals when the link is marked as nofollow.
This type of link is often used for sponsored posts, user-generated content, or links in blog comments where the source site doesn’t want to endorse the target.
Example: If a well-known news outlet links to your site in a regular article with a dofollow link, it boosts your SEO. But if the same link appears in a paid advertisement, it may use the nofollow tag to avoid passing search value.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Dofollow Link | Nofollow Link |
| Passes link authority | Yes | No |
| Affects search rankings | Yes | No (usually) |
| Crawled by search engines | Yes | Sometimes (but no link value passed) |
| HTML format | <a href=”https://example.com”>Link</a> | <a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Link</a> |
Understanding the difference helps you plan a smarter backlink strategy.
While both types have their place, earning more dofollow links from trusted websites will have a stronger impact on your search performance.
Why are dofollow links important for SEO?
Dofollow links are one of the most trusted signals search engines use to evaluate your website’s relevance and authority.
They don’t just pass value, they connect your content to a broader ecosystem of trusted sites, making it easier for Google to discover and trust what you offer.
Let’s break down exactly why they matter:
1. They build domain authority and page strength
When credible websites link to your content using a dofollow link, it signals to search engines that your site is a trustworthy source of information.
These backlinks pass “link equity” (also known as “link juice”) that can help strengthen both your domain authority (DA) and the specific page’s authority.
For instance, when HubSpot links to a smaller marketing blog in one of its guides, that site sees a boost not only in authority but also in search performance, thanks to HubSpot’s strong domain rating.
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on building links from sites with a DR (Domain Rating) above 50. Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to check a domain’s authority before targeting it for backlinks.
2. They directly impact organic search rankings
Google treats dofollow links as trust signals when ranking content. The more high-quality dofollow backlinks your site earns, the more likely you are to appear in top positions on search engine results pages (SERPs).
It’s not about quantity, it’s about earning them from credible, topic-relevant sources.
3. They bring in targeted referral traffic
Every dofollow backlink acts as a potential entry point to your website. If that link lives on a site with an active readership, it can send you a steady flow of referral traffic.
Not only does this pass SEO value, but it also introduces your brand to a highly engaged audience actively looking for your kind of product.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t overlook niche websites with loyal audiences. Even if their DA is moderate, their referral traffic is often more targeted and valuable.
4. They enhance your site’s credibility and reputation
When respected websites link to your content, it builds credibility with users and search engines.
Search engines consider this a sign of authority. The more high-quality dofollow backlinks your site earns from relevant and reputable sources, the more likely it is to be seen as a trustworthy voice in your industry.
Over time, this helps position your brand as a go-to resource in your niche, attracting both better rankings and more loyal visitors.
5. They Improve Indexing and Discoverability
Google uses links to discover new pages. If you publish a new article but it has no backlinks, it may take weeks for search engines to find and index it.
On the other hand, if you earn a dofollow link from an established site, your content can be crawled and indexed within hours.
How to check if a link is dofollow
Since backlinks play a major role in search rankings, it’s important to know whether the links pointing to your site are passing SEO value.
Here are two easy ways to check if a backlink is dofollow.
1. Manually inspect the link in the browser
Visit the page that contains the backlink to your website. Right-click on the anchor text and choose “Inspect” or “Inspect Element” from the menu.
This will open the browser’s developer tools and highlight the HTML code for the link.
It means the link is dofollow. There’s no rel attribute, so search engines can follow it and pass link equity.
If the code includes something like rel=”nofollow”, rel=”sponsored”, or rel=”ugc”, the link will not transfer ranking value.
2. Use a Backlink Checker Tool (Steps for Ahrefs)
To check if your backlinks are dofollow using Ahrefs:
- Go to Site Explorer
- Enter your domain (for example, https://get.tech) and hit enter
- In the left-hand menu, click on Backlinks
- Once the report loads, look for the Link Type filter at the top
- Select Dofollow to see only the links that pass link equity
You’ll now have a filtered list of all dofollow backlinks pointing to your site.
This view helps you quickly evaluate which links are helping your SEO and where they’re coming from.
Start earning quality dofollow backlinks
Dofollow backlinks are a key part of building long-term visibility and trust online. But it’s important to remember that not all backlinks are created equal.
A single link from a trusted, relevant website can do far more for your site’s authority than dozens of low-quality links.
Instead of chasing numbers, focus on earning links through useful content, solid relationships, and genuine value.
Backlinks should feel like a natural recommendation, not a forced placement. When others link to your content because it’s helpful, informative, or insightful, that’s when backlinks start making a real impact.Get in touch with us today. We’d be happy to craft a link-building strategy that works for your business.
