What is a Dofollow link?

A dofollow link is a hyperlink that is followed by search engines and included in the algorithm. This means that the value of the link (also known as link equity or PageRank) is transferred from one page to another. This is important for SEO, because a dofollow link directly contributes to the authority and position of a website in Google.

How does a dofollow link work?

By default, each link on a website is a dofollow link, unless otherwise indicated by an attribute such as nofollow. When a search engine bot encounters a dofollow link, it follows the link and counts as a signal of trust towards the linked page. The stronger and more relevant the website that links, the more value is transferred.

The difference between dofollow and nofollow

The most important difference lies in the transmission of value.

• Dofollow link: transmits authority, counts towards your rankings.
• Nofollow link: is still followed by search engines, but does not disclose link equity.

Both types have their function. Nofollow links are useful to indicate that you are not responsible for the content of the linked site (e.g. paid ads or comments). Dofollow links are actually valuable for strengthening your SEO.

Why are dofollow links important for SEO?

Dofollow links are essential because they act as recommendations. When a trustworthy website links to you with a dofollow link, Google sees that as a vote of trust. The more quality dofollow links you collect, the greater your chance of rising in search results.

But beware: it is not the quantity, but the quality of these links that determines the success. A single dofollow link from a relevant, authoritarian site can be more powerful than dozens of links from irrelevant or weak websites.

Examples of dofollow links in practice

Dofollow links are everywhere, often without even realizing it. Think about:

• An industry organization that mentions you on their partner page.
• A blog that cites your article as a source.
• A news website that refers to your product or research.

These are all natural dofollow links that can give your SEO a significant boost.

How do you recognize a dofollow link?

By default, all links are dofollow. Only if there is an explicit attribute rel="nofollow” whether rel="sponsored” has been added, a link is not treated dofollow. With SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or browser extensions, you can easily check which links are dofollow.

Common mistakes with dofollow links

While dofollow links are valuable, misuse can actually harm you. Common mistakes include:

• Buying unnatural dofollow links via link farms.
• Too many dofollow links from irrelevant contexts.
• No balance between dofollow and nofollow links in your link profile.

A natural profile always includes a mix, because not every link you receive is dofollow in practice.

My advice as an SEO specialist

Dofollow links are the fuel of a strong link profile, but you have to earn them, not force them. Focus on valuable content, collaborations in your industry, and visibility through PR or media. This is how you build a natural and sustainable profile that Google trusts. Avoid shortcuts or manipulative tactics: in the long run, they'll cost you more than they'll pay you.

Conclusion

A dofollow link is more than just a simple hyperlink. It's a recommendation that Google uses to determine how reliable and relevant your website is. By investing in quality and relevance, you can build dofollow links that future-proof your SEO results.