When IT comes to SEO, backlinks are a crucial factor for a Website‘s ranking on search engine results pages. There has been much debate and confusion surrounding the use of nofollow and dofollow links, and how they impact a Website‘s SEO. In this article, we will reveal the shocking truth about nofollow and dofollow links, and what Google doesn’t want you to know.
The Difference Between Nofollow and Dofollow Links
Before we delve into the shocking truth, IT‘s important to understand the difference between nofollow and dofollow links. Nofollow links are HTML attributes that tell search engines not to follow the link, while dofollow links do not have this attribute and are followed by search engines.
Nofollow links are often used for paid advertisements, sponsored content, and user-generated content to prevent passing PageRank to the linked websites. Dofollow links, on the other hand, are the default state for all links that don’t have the nofollow attribute, and they allow search engines to follow and pass PageRank to the linked websites.
The Shocking Truth About Nofollow Links
IT has long been believed that nofollow links have no impact on a Website‘s SEO and do not contribute to its ranking on search engine results pages. However, the shocking truth is that Google has confirmed that nofollow links are considered as a hint for crawling and indexing, and may have some impact on a Website‘s SEO.
In September 2019, Google announced that IT will treat nofollow attribute as a “hint” rather than a directive, and will consider them for crawling and indexing purposes. This means that nofollow links may still be counted as part of a Website‘s link profile and could potentially impact its ranking on search engine results pages.
The Revelation About Dofollow Links
While dofollow links have always been considered as valuable for a Website‘s SEO, the shocking revelation is that not all dofollow links are created equal. Google has become increasingly stringent in its guidelines for link building, and low-quality or spammy dofollow links can actually harm a Website‘s SEO and lead to penalties.
In its Webmaster Guidelines, Google warns against artificial link schemes and manipulative link building practices that violate its guidelines. This includes buying or selling dofollow links, participating in link exchange schemes, and creating low-quality content with keyword-rich anchor text for the purpose of manipulating search engine rankings.
What Google Doesn’t Want You to Know
Google’s algorithm is constantly evolving, and IT‘s clear that the search engine giant is becoming more sophisticated in its approach to evaluating links and assessing a Website‘s link profile. While Google may not explicitly reveal all the intricacies of its algorithm, IT‘s crucial for Website owners and SEO professionals to stay informed and adapt to Google’s evolving guidelines.
Google doesn’t want Website owners to rely solely on link building and manipulate their link profiles to artificially boost their rankings. Instead, Google wants websites to focus on creating high-quality content that naturally attracts organic backlinks from authoritative sources. This approach aligns with Google’s mission to provide users with the most relevant and valuable search results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the shocking truth about nofollow and dofollow links is that they both play a role in a Website‘s SEO, and Google considers them for crawling and indexing purposes. While nofollow links may have some impact on a Website‘s link profile, dofollow links must be acquired through legitimate and high-quality means to avoid penalties and maintain a strong link profile.
IT‘s important for Website owners and SEO professionals to focus on creating valuable content and earning organic backlinks from authoritative sources, rather than relying on manipulative link building practices. By adhering to Google’s guidelines and focusing on providing value to users, websites can build a strong link profile and improve their chances of ranking well on search engine results pages.
FAQs
1. Are nofollow links completely useless for SEO?
No, Google has confirmed that nofollow links are considered as a hint for crawling and indexing, and may have some impact on a Website‘s link profile. While they may not pass PageRank, they can still contribute to a Website‘s overall link profile and potentially impact its ranking on search engine results pages.
2. How can I earn high-quality dofollow links for my Website?
To earn high-quality dofollow links, focus on creating valuable content that naturally attracts organic backlinks from authoritative sources. This can include creating informative blog posts, conducting original research, and providing unique insights that are valuable to your target audience. Building relationships with other websites in your niche can also lead to natural dofollow links.
