When IT comes to SEO and link building, one of the most debated topics is whether or not to add no follow links to your Website. Some believe that no follow links are a waste of time and effort, while others swear by their effectiveness. In this article, we will uncover the shocking truth about adding no follow links and why you should consider incorporating them into your SEO strategy.
What are No Follow Links?
No follow links are hyperlinks that contain a special HTML attribute called “rel=nofollow.” This attribute tells search engines not to follow the link and not to pass any authority or ranking value to the linked page. In other words, no follow links do not contribute to the linked page’s SEO efforts.
Many website owners use no follow links to signal to search engines that they do not endorse the linked content or to prevent spammy or low-quality websites from benefiting from their link juice. However, the question remains – do no follow links have any SEO value?
The Shocking Truth About Adding No Follow Links
Contrary to popular belief, no follow links can still have a positive impact on your website’s SEO performance. While they may not directly contribute to your site’s ranking, they can still provide other benefits such as:
- Increased Referral Traffic: Even though search engines may not follow no follow links, real users can still click on them and visit your website. This can drive valuable referral traffic to your site, which can result in higher conversions and engagement.
- Diversified Link Profile: A natural link profile should include a mix of do follow and no follow links. By adding a variety of links to your website, you can show search engines that your site is reputable and trustworthy.
- Brand Exposure: No follow links from reputable websites can still help increase your brand visibility and recognition. This can lead to more brand mentions, social shares, and overall brand awareness.
Should You Add No Follow Links to Your Website?
Now that you know the potential benefits of adding no follow links, you may be wondering if you should start incorporating them into your SEO strategy. The answer is yes, but with caution. When adding no follow links to your site, consider the following tips:
- Relevance: Make sure the websites you are linking to are relevant to your niche or industry. Avoid linking to spammy or low-quality websites, as this can harm your website’s reputation.
- Quality: Focus on obtaining no follow links from reputable sources with high domain authority. These links can have a positive impact on your website’s SEO performance and credibility.
- Consistency: Incorporate a mix of do follow and no follow links in your link building strategy. This will create a natural link profile that looks organic and trustworthy to search engines.
Conclusion
Adding no follow links to your website can have a surprising impact on your SEO efforts. While they may not directly contribute to your site’s ranking, they can still provide valuable benefits such as increased referral traffic, diversified link profile, and brand exposure. By incorporating a mix of do follow and no follow links into your link building strategy, you can enhance your website’s overall SEO performance and credibility.
FAQs
1. Are no follow links important for SEO?
While no follow links may not directly impact your site’s ranking, they can still provide other benefits such as increased referral traffic, diversified link profile, and brand exposure.
2. How can I determine if a link is do follow or no follow?
You can right-click on a hyperlink and select “Inspect” to view the HTML code. Look for the “rel=nofollow” attribute to determine if the link is no follow.
3. Should I focus on getting more do follow links or no follow links?
It is important to have a mix of both do follow and no follow links in your link building strategy. This will create a natural and diverse link profile that can benefit your website’s SEO performance.
4. Can I remove the no follow attribute from a link?
If you have control over the website or content where the link is placed, you can remove the no follow attribute to make it a do follow link. However, make sure to evaluate the quality and relevance of the linked content before making any changes.