When it comes to SEO, there’s a prevailing belief that only dofollow links are valuable. This misconception often leads to the dismissal of nofollow links as ineffective or even detrimental. However, understanding the true value of nofollow links reveals that they can play a crucial role in a well-rounded link-building strategy.

What Are Nofollow Links?

First, let’s clarify what nofollow links are. A nofollow link is a hyperlink that contains a rel="nofollow" attribute in its HTML code. This attribute instructs search engines not to pass on “link juice,” or ranking credit, to the linked page. In contrast, dofollow links do pass on this SEO value, which is why they are traditionally more sought after.

The nofollow attribute was introduced by Google in 2005 to combat spammy link practices, particularly in blog comments. Over time, it has become a standard tool for webmasters to control their site’s linking behavior, especially when linking to untrusted or user-generated content.

The Misconception Around Nofollow Links

A common belief is that nofollow links offer no SEO benefit, making them worthless. This view is overly simplistic. While it’s true that nofollow links don’t directly boost search rankings, they can still provide other significant advantages that contribute to your overall SEO and digital marketing efforts.

When Nofollow Links Add Value

One of the most compelling reasons to value nofollow links is the opportunity to be featured on high-authority sites. Many of these sites, such as Forbes, Yahoo, and U.S. News & World Report, routinely use the nofollow attribute for their outbound links. Even though these links don’t pass on SEO credit, the benefits of being mentioned on such reputable platforms are substantial.

• Brand Exposure: When your brand is mentioned on a site like Forbes, it instantly gains credibility. Even if the link is nofollow, the association with a high-authority site can enhance your brand’s image and trustworthiness in the eyes of your audience.
• Referral Traffic: High-traffic sites can drive significant referral traffic to your website. A nofollow link from Yahoo, for instance, might not boost your SEO directly, but the influx of visitors from such a mention can lead to conversions, social shares, and organic links that do benefit your SEO.

Our Data on Nofollow Links

85% of PressHERO clients opt in for nofollow links, recognizing the strategic value these links offer.

To further illustrate the value of nofollow links, let’s look at some data from PressHERO’s own campaigns.

• Client Preferences: A striking 85% of PressHERO clients opt in for nofollow links, recognizing the strategic value these links offer.
• Link Distribution: In our campaigns, 28% of all billable links are nofollow, while 72% are follow. This balance reflects the natural diversity in link profiles that search engines favor.

Implications: While we can’t establish a direct causal link between opting out of nofollow links and ranking impact, our experience suggests that doing so does not lead to significant changes in rankings. However, the primary effect of opting out is a slowdown in the link acquisition process, as it limits the pool of potential publications we can target. This delay can affect the overall momentum of your link-building campaign, making it crucial to weigh the benefits of faster link acquisition against the perceived value of only pursuing dofollow links.

High-DR Sites Known for Adding the Nofollow Attribute

Notable examples of very high DR sites that apply Nofollow links include:

• Forbes (DR 94)
• Yahoo (DR 92)
• U.S. News & World Report (DR 91)
• AOL (DR 91)
• Lifewire (DR 90)
• Business Insider (DR 92)
• Reader’s Digest (DR 87)
• GoodFirms (DR 85)
• Spy (DR 83)
• Rover (DR 83)
• Newsbreak (DR 81)

These sites are recognized for their authority and traffic, making a mention on them valuable, even if the link is nofollow.

Strategic Use of Nofollow Links

A healthy, diverse link profile naturally includes both dofollow and nofollow links. Search engines expect to see this mix as it reflects a more organic linking pattern. Exclusively seeking dofollow links might not only slow down your link-building efforts but could also raise red flags with search engines, potentially harming your site’s SEO.

At PressHERO, we understand that every client’s needs are unique. That’s why we offer the flexibility to opt out of nofollow links during the onboarding process. However, it’s important to consider the trade-offs: while opting out might seem appealing, it could restrict the number of high-quality placements we can secure on your behalf, especially on highly authoritative sites that predominantly use nofollow links.

Conclusion

Nofollow links are often misunderstood, but they should not be dismissed outright. While they may not directly influence search rankings, they offer other significant benefits like brand exposure and referral traffic that contribute to a successful SEO strategy. By understanding the strategic role of nofollow links, you can make more informed decisions about your link-building efforts, leveraging every opportunity to enhance your online presence.

So, before you decide to opt out of nofollow links, consider the broader picture and the potential benefits that these links can bring to your overall digital strategy. In many cases, the most effective approach is to embrace a balanced link profile that includes both dofollow and nofollow links, maximizing the opportunities available on the most reputable platforms.