Introduction
In the world of SEO, backlinks are like digital votes of confidence — but not all links are created equal. When it comes to link building, one of the most misunderstood concepts is the difference between Do-Follow and No-Follow links. Understanding how each type affects your site’s ranking, authority, and visibility is crucial for building a strong backlink profile.
If you’re serious about link building and want to maximize your website’s potential, knowing how these two link types work can help you fine-tune your strategy and avoid wasted effort.
What Are Backlinks and Why They Matter
A backlink is simply a link from one website to another. Search engines like Google treat backlinks as a signal of trust and authority — the more quality links you have, the more likely your site will rank higher in search results.
But there’s a catch: not all backlinks pass SEO value in the same way.
When you’re running guest posting or link insertion campaigns, like the ones we provide at Link Blooms, understanding Do-Follow and No-Follow links will help you choose the right opportunities and build a natural backlink profile that drives results.
What Is a Do-Follow Link?
A Do-Follow link is a regular hyperlink that passes “link juice” or authority from one site to another. It’s the type of backlink every SEO expert strives for, because it directly impacts your site’s domain authority and ranking power.
Example:<a href="https://linkblooms.com/" target="_blank">Link Blooms</a>
This tells search engines: “Follow this link and transfer some ranking authority to this page.”
Benefits of Do-Follow Links
- Improves your website’s ranking potential.
- Helps Google discover and index your pages faster.
- Builds domain authority and online reputation.
- Increases referral traffic from relevant websites.
For example, if a high-authority site like Moz or Ahrefs links to your page with a Do-Follow link, Google sees your website as more trustworthy.
What Is a No-Follow Link?
A No-Follow link tells search engines not to pass authority to the linked website. It’s created by adding a small attribute — rel="nofollow" — to the HTML code.
Example:<a href="https://linkblooms.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Link Blooms</a>
Search engines still crawl the link, but they don’t count it as a “vote” for ranking.
Why No-Follow Links Exist
No-Follow links were originally introduced by Google in 2005 to combat spam in blog comments and user-generated content. Over time, they’ve become useful for maintaining a natural link profile and preventing manipulation of PageRank.
Examples of Common No-Follow Links
- Social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Forum posts and user comments
- Paid advertisements and sponsored posts
- Some news websites and directories
Do-Follow vs No-Follow: Key Differences
| Factor | Do-Follow | No-Follow |
|---|---|---|
| Passes SEO Value | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Helps Rankings | ✅ Strongly | ⚠️ Indirectly |
| Best For | Link building, guest posts | Social media, paid ads |
| Discovered by Google | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Used in Sponsored Posts | ⚠️ Not Recommended | ✅ Recommended |
Even though No-Follow links don’t pass link juice, they can still bring valuable traffic and brand exposure — especially when placed on high-traffic platforms or publications.
Why Both Link Types Are Important for SEO
A natural backlink profile includes both Do-Follow and No-Follow links.
If your link profile has only Do-Follow links, Google may view it as unnatural and manipulative.
Balancing the two makes your site appear authentic.
Here’s how you can maintain a healthy mix:
- 70% Do-Follow links from contextual, niche-relevant sources
- 30% No-Follow links from social, directories, or press mentions
👉 Learn more about creating a balanced strategy in our article:
Top Link Insertion Strategies
How to Check If a Link Is Do-Follow or No-Follow
You can inspect the HTML code manually or use browser extensions like:
- Ahrefs SEO Toolbar
- MozBar
- SEO Minion
To check manually:
Right-click → “Inspect Element” → search for rel="nofollow".
If it’s not there, it’s a Do-Follow link.
When to Use Do-Follow and No-Follow Links
Use Do-Follow links when:
- Linking to trusted, authoritative sources
- Citing data or case studies
- Guest posting on relevant websites
- Building backlinks via outreach
Use No-Follow links when:
- Linking to unverified or user-generated content
- Including affiliate or sponsored links
- Commenting on blogs or forums
For professional link insertion and guest posting, visit our Guest Posting Services Page.
How Do-Follow and No-Follow Impact Local SEO
In local SEO, backlinks from relevant, local websites carry significant weight.
For example, if a restaurant in New York gets a Do-Follow link from a New York food blog, that link signals strong local relevance.
Even No-Follow links — like citations in local directories — help with local presence and trust signals.
Pro Tip: Combine both types by:
- Submitting your business to local directories (many are No-Follow).
- Earning editorial mentions from local bloggers (usually Do-Follow).
- Partnering with nearby businesses for link exchanges.
Best Practices for Building a Healthy Link Profile
- Diversify Your Sources – Mix guest posts, business listings, and editorial mentions.
- Focus on Relevance – Get links from sites in your niche or local area.
- Avoid Link Farms – Don’t buy bulk links; Google penalizes low-quality sources.
- Use Branded Anchor Texts – Balance your keywords with brand names and natural phrases.
- Track Your Backlinks – Use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to monitor gains and losses.
Check out our guide on Guest Post Metrics That Matter to measure link quality effectively.
Do-Follow vs No-Follow in Google’s Eyes (2025 Update)
Google has evolved. Since 2019, it now treats rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", and rel="ugc" as hints rather than strict directives.
This means Google may still consider some No-Follow links for ranking if they appear relevant and organic.
In short — no link is truly worthless.
Both types contribute to your authority, brand visibility, and traffic when used strategically.
Tools to Analyze and Optimize Your Backlinks
Here are some trusted tools to track Do-Follow and No-Follow links:
- Ahrefs – Deep link analysis & authority scoring
- Semrush – Backlink audits and toxicity reports
- Moz Link Explorer – Check domain authority and follow status
- Google Search Console – Free tool to monitor your backlink sources
Conclusion: Which Is Better for SEO?
There’s no competition — both link types serve a purpose.
- Do-Follow links help you rank higher and boost authority.
- No-Follow links strengthen your brand visibility, drive referral traffic, and create a natural link profile.
The smartest SEO strategy is to combine them.
Earn high-quality Do-Follow backlinks through guest posting, while maintaining No-Follow links from social media, press mentions, and directories.
👉 Ready to supercharge your SEO?
Explore our Best Deals on Link Insertion and Guest Posting today.
And if you’re just starting your link-building journey, check our detailed guide on Guest Posting and Link Insertion.
