When IT comes to search engine optimization (SEO), one of the most talked about topics is the use of no follow links. For years, marketers and Website owners have debated the impact of these links on SEO. In this article, we will reveal the shocking truth about no follow links and their impact on SEO.
What are No Follow Links?
No follow links are HTML attributes used to tell search engines not to follow or pass any link equity to the linked website. They are often used in blog comments, user-generated content, and paid links to prevent spam and manipulation of search engine rankings.
For example, a typical HTML link looks like this:
<a href=”https://www.example.com”>Example</a>
A no follow link looks like this:
<a href=”https://www.example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Example</a>
The Impact of No Follow Links on SEO
For years, there has been a debate about the impact of no follow links on SEO. Some believe that no follow links have no impact on search engine rankings, while others argue that they still play a role in the overall link profile of a website.
Do No Follow Links Pass Link Equity?
While it is true that no follow links were originally intended to prevent the passing of link equity, it is important to note that search engines like Google have stated that they may still use no follow links for discovery and crawling purposes.
In fact, Google has stated that no follow links may be used as a hint for crawling and indexing purposes, which means that they could still have some impact on a website’s visibility in search engine results.
The Role of No Follow Links in a Natural Link Profile
It is also worth considering the role of no follow links in a natural link profile. backlink works, a leading SEO agency, suggests that a natural link profile should include a mix of do follow and no follow links to appear more organic to search engines.
They argue that a website with only do follow links may appear too manipulative, while a website with a healthy mix of both types of links may seem more natural and trustworthy to search engines.
Should You Use No Follow Links?
Given the potential impact of no follow links on SEO, it is important for website owners and marketers to carefully consider when and where to use them. Here are a few scenarios where using no follow links may be beneficial:
- Blog comments: To prevent spam and low-quality comments from affecting your site’s reputation.
- User-generated content: To protect your site from potentially harmful or unrelated external links.
- Paid links: To comply with search engine guidelines and prevent penalties for buying links.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the shocking truth about no follow links is that they can still have an impact on SEO, despite their original intent to prevent the passing of link equity. Website owners and marketers should consider using a mix of do follow and no follow links to create a natural and diverse link profile that appears trustworthy to search engines.
FAQs
1. Do no follow links have any impact on SEO?
While no follow links were originally designed to prevent the passing of link equity, search engines may still use them for crawling and indexing purposes. This means that they could still have some impact on a website’s visibility in search engine results.
2. Should I use no follow links on my website?
It is important to carefully consider when and where to use no follow links. They can be beneficial in scenarios such as blog comments, user-generated content, and paid links to prevent spam and manipulation of search engine rankings.
