Dofollow Link
A **dofollow link** is a normal hyperlink that search engines can follow and that may pass link equity to the linked page by default when no nofollow, sponsored, or ugc attribute is present.
Key takeaways
- Dofollow links are the default hyperlink type; no special attribute needed.
- They may pass link equity and help with search engine discovery.
- Quality, relevance, and placement matter more than dofollow status alone.
- Use nofollow, sponsored, or ugc for paid, user-generated, or untrusted links.
Dofollow links are the default type of hyperlink on the web and play a key role in how search engines discover and rank pages.
Example
A blog post about SEO tips links to a guide on keyword research. The HTML looks like:
```html <a href="https://example.com/keyword-research">Keyword Research Guide</a> ```
Because there is no `rel="nofollow"`, `rel="sponsored"`, or `rel="ugc"` attribute, this is a dofollow link. Search engines can crawl it and may pass link equity to the linked page.
When Should I Use This?
- Earning backlinks from authoritative, relevant sites to improve your own site's authority.
- Linking to trusted sources within your content to provide value to readers.
- Internal linking between your own pages to help search engines discover and rank your content.
- Guest posting or outreach campaigns where you want the link to pass SEO value.
What It Is Not
- Not a special HTML attribute – it's the default state of a link without restrictive rel values.
- Not a guaranteed ranking boost – link quality, relevance, and placement still matter.
- Not the same as a backlink – a backlink is any inbound link; dofollow is one type.
- Not always valuable – a dofollow link from a spammy site can harm your SEO.
Quick Start
- Create a standard link in your HTML: `<a href="https://example.com">Anchor text</a>`.
- Do not add `rel="nofollow"`, `rel="sponsored"`, or `rel="ugc"`.
- Verify by inspecting the element in your browser's developer tools.
- Check the linking page's authority and relevance before earning or placing the link.
- Monitor your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs or Semrush.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming every dofollow link is valuable – quality and relevance are critical.
- Confusing dofollow with an HTML attribute – it's the absence of restrictive rel values.
- Using keyword-stuffed anchor text – natural anchor text performs better.
- Treating dofollow links as a guaranteed ranking boost – they are one signal among many.
Next step
FAQ
What is a dofollow link?
A dofollow link is a standard hyperlink without a nofollow, sponsored, or ugc attribute. Search engines can follow it and may pass link equity to the linked page.
How do I create a dofollow link?
Simply create a standard HTML link without adding rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc". Example: <a href="https://example.com">Example</a>.
Do dofollow links always pass link juice?
No. While dofollow links may pass link equity, the actual value depends on the linking page's authority, relevance, placement, and other algorithmic factors.
Related topics
Sources
- Google Search Central — Most authoritative source for how Google interprets rel attributes like nofollow, sponsored, and ugc.
- Ahrefs Glossary — Clear SEO-friendly definition and practical explanation of dofollow vs. nofollow.
- Semrush Blog — Useful practitioner explanation of why dofollow links matter for SEO and link equity.
Reviewed by Lucía Marín, Founding editor.