Digital marketing term
Nofollow Link
A Nofollow Link is an HTML attribute added to a link that tells search engines not to pass authority, or link equity, through that link.
Detailed explanation
This attribute is added to a link's code as rel nofollow and tells the search engine not to follow that link or count it as a ranking signal. Google has also defined related sub-types — rel sponsored for sponsored content and rel ugc for user-generated content.
Sites use this tag to prevent authority loss from outbound links they can't control, such as forum comments or guest posts, or to comply with search engine guidelines. Overusing it, however, can distort a site's natural link profile.
When building a backlink strategy, a balanced mix of followed (dofollow) and nofollow links is important for maintaining a natural link profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a nofollow link carry SEO value?
- It doesn't directly pass ranking authority, but it's still valuable for brand visibility and traffic.
- What's the difference between nofollow and dofollow?
- Dofollow links pass link authority; nofollow links block that transfer.
Related terms
Internal links for the topic cluster — read these concepts together.
- BacklinkA backlink is a link from another website to your page; it is an important authority and discovery signal for search engines.
- Anchor TextThe clickable words of a link, telling people and search engines what the destination is about. Internally they guide paths; on backlinks they carry a topical hint.
- SEOSEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the set of technical and content practices that help a website rank more visibly in organic search results.
- Inbound LinksLinks on other websites that point to your pages—the same idea as backlinks. Links between your own URLs are internal links and do not count as inbound.
- Off-Page SEORanking work that happens off your HTML: links, mentions, and brand search on other sites. Title tags stay on-page; a vote from another domain is off-page.
- External LinkA link from your page to a different hostname. Use it to cite a source or send someone deeper—not as a ranking trick or a farm of outbound URLs that add noise.