If you are into SEO or just starting to learn about it, you have probably heard of two types of links—dofollow and nofollow. And you might be wondering, do nofollow links help SEO in any way?
The answer is yes. But not in the way you might expect.
Let us go deep into this. We will keep things easy, friendly, and real.
What Is a Nofollow Link?
A nofollow link is like a regular link, but with a small tag added to it.
This tag tells search engines like Google, “Hey, do not pass any link authority or SEO value through this link.”
Here is how it looks in code:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Visit Here</a>
When a link has the rel=”nofollow” attribute, search engines usually do not count it when they rank pages.
But wait. That does not mean these links are useless.
Why Was Nofollow Introduced?
Back in the early days of SEO, people figured out that they could spam links all over the internet—on forums, blog comments, and low-quality websites—to try and trick Google.
So in 2005, Google introduced the nofollow tag.
The idea was simple: If a site adds a nofollow tag to a link, it tells search engines not to give that link any SEO power.
This helped reduce spam. And it gave website owners more control over which links they wanted to endorse.
The Difference Between Dofollow and Nofollow
Here is a super clear breakdown of how they differ:
| Feature | Dofollow Link | Nofollow Link |
| Passes SEO value | Yes | Usually no |
| Helps with rankings | Yes | Not directly |
| Drives traffic | Yes | Yes |
| Search engines crawl? | Yes | Sometimes |
So now the big question is:
If nofollow links do not pass SEO value, why should you care?
Let us find out.
Do Nofollow Links Help SEO?
Yes, Nofollow Links Help SEO (And Here Is How)
Even if a nofollow link does not boost your Google ranking directly, it can still be very helpful in other ways.
Let us go through all the reasons.
1. Nofollow Links Drive Traffic
This is the most obvious one.
A nofollow link is still a real, clickable link. People can click on it and land on your website.
If the link is placed on a high-traffic website—like Reddit, Quora, or YouTube—you could get thousands of visits.
More visitors mean more brand awareness. It means more eyes on your content. And yes, it can even lead to more sales.
Traffic is always good. Google watches how people interact with your site. If you get more users and they stay longer, it helps your site look trustworthy.
2. Google Might Still Count Some Nofollow Links
In 2019, Google made an interesting announcement.
They said nofollow links would no longer be treated as a strict rule. Instead, Google would see them as a “hint.”
This means: Google might choose to ignore the nofollow tag if it feels the link is important, helpful, or trustworthy.
So even if a link says “nofollow,” Google might still give it some credit.
This is more likely to happen if:
- The link is from a top website
- The content is high-quality
- The link is placed naturally
3. Helps Build a Natural Link Profile
Let us say all your backlinks are dofollow.
That looks a bit fishy.
A real, natural website will have a mix of different types of links—some dofollow, some nofollow, some brand mentions, and even some plain text URLs.
A mixed backlink profile is a sign of trust. It tells Google you are growing in a natural, healthy way.
And guess what? That makes your site look more legit.
4. Nofollow Links Can Lead to Dofollow Links
This one is powerful.
Here is how it works:
- You drop a link in a Reddit comment (nofollow).
- Someone reads it, likes your content, and shares it in their blog.
- That blog gives you a dofollow link.
Boom.
One nofollow link just turned into a dofollow link. And that one dofollow link might help boost your rankings.
You never know who is watching.
5. Helps With Brand Awareness
Imagine your site being mentioned on big sites like:
- Wikipedia (nofollow)
- YouTube video descriptions (nofollow)
- Reddit threads (nofollow)
- Comments on top blogs (nofollow)
These might not pass SEO juice, but they pass something just as valuable—attention.
When more people see your name, they start remembering you. They start trusting your brand. That is a long-term SEO win.
Common Places Where You Find Nofollow Links
Let us look at where nofollow links usually live:
- Blog comments
- Forum discussions
- Social media profiles
- Quora answers
- Reddit posts
- YouTube video descriptions
- Wikipedia citations
- Paid sponsorships or ads
- Press releases
- User-generated content platforms
Many of these platforms automatically add a nofollow tag to every link. But again, they still send traffic.
Should You Try to Get Nofollow Links?
Yes. Here is why:
Even if the link is nofollow, if it puts you in front of the right audience, it is worth it.
Try to get nofollow links from places that matter:
- Where your target audience hangs out
- Where people are actively clicking
- Where your brand can be seen and trusted
Just make sure your link makes sense. Do not spam. Add value.
How to Get Nofollow Links (Without Looking Spammy)
Let us keep it real. Here are some smart ways to earn nofollow links:
1. Reddit Comments
Join niche subreddits. Share smart answers. Add your link only when it adds value.
2. Quora Answers
Pick questions that match your blog topics. Write helpful replies. Drop a link to your blog.
3. Blog Comments
Comment on well-known blogs in your niche. Add useful thoughts. Use your name, not a keyword.
4. Medium Articles
Write guest posts on Medium. Drop one or two nofollow links to your main site.
5. YouTube Descriptions
Create videos. Add links to your blogs or tools in the description. They are nofollow—but they get clicks.
6. HARO (Help a Reporter Out)
Reply to journalist queries. Sometimes the links you get are nofollow. But they are from trusted sites.
Nofollow vs Dofollow: Which One Should You Focus On?
Here is a quick breakdown to help you decide:
- Dofollow links pass SEO value (link juice). These help your website rank higher in search results.
- Nofollow links do not directly impact SEO rankings, but they bring traffic, visibility, and brand trust.
So, which is better?
Use both.
- Dofollow links help with Google rankings.
- Nofollow links drive referral traffic, improve reach, and build credibility.
What really matters is value:
- Does the link bring real traffic?
- Does it boost brand visibility?
- Does it build trust with your audience?
If the answer is yes, that link is worth it—no matter the tag.
Always prioritize quality and relevance over technical labels.
Smart link building is about building relationships and results, not just SEO metrics.
A Quick Real Example
Let us say you run a blog about healthy food.
You answer a question on Quora: “What are the best low-carb snacks?”
You write a helpful answer. At the end, you say, “I also wrote this full guide here: [link to your blog]”
Now:
- The link is nofollow.
- But 5,000 people see your answer.
- 500 click through.
- 20 share it.
- One person writes a blog post and links back to your site with a dofollow link.
That is the power of a smart nofollow link.
Nofollow Link Myths You Should Ignore
Let us clear up a few wrong ideas.
Myth 1: Nofollow links are useless
→ Not true. They help in many indirect ways.
Myth 2: Google ignores all nofollow links
→ Not always. Google treats them as hints now.
Myth 3: You should only focus on dofollow
→ Bad idea. You need a natural mix.
Myth 4: Nofollow links cannot bring leads
→ Completely false. If the right person clicks, it can lead to a sale.
Final Tips to Use Nofollow Links Wisely
- Be helpful first. Promote second.
- Drop links only when they fit the conversation.
- Think long term. Traffic today, backlinks tomorrow.
- Diversify. Forums, social, Q&A sites, etc.
- Track referral traffic. Use tools like Google Analytics.
Final Thoughts
So, do nofollow links help SEO?
Yes. They do.
Maybe not in the usual PageRank-passing way. But they:
- Drive traffic
- Build trust
- Grow awareness
- Lead to real SEO wins over time
You do not need to fear nofollow links. You just need to use them wisely.
Think of them like whispers in the SEO world. They may not shout loud, but they still get heard by the right people.
FAQs
1. Do nofollow links hurt your SEO?
No. They do not hurt you at all.
2. Should I disavow nofollow links?
No. Google says you do not need to disavow nofollow links.
3. Can I make all links nofollow on my site?
You can, but that limits your SEO potential.
4. Do social media links count as nofollow?
Yes, mostly. But they still bring good traffic.
5. Should I buy nofollow links?
No. Focus on earning links through value, not paying for them.
