DoFollowLinks

Dofollow links are standard hyperlinks that search engines can follow to discover the linked resource and, in many cases, to transfer some value from the linking page to the linked page. The term is informal and contrasts with nofollow links; a link is considered dofollow when it does not include a rel="nofollow" attribute. In HTML, the dofollow state is the default, and it is only altered when a webmaster adds a restricting rel attribute.

Some sites explicitly use rel attributes such as rel="sponsored" or rel="ugc" to indicate paid or user-generated content. Those attributes signal search engines to treat the link differently from traditional editorial links. While dofollow links are the default expectation, the presence of such attributes can affect how a link is processed and valued by search engines.

Impact on search engine optimization: Do-follow links can contribute to a page’s visibility and authority by passing ranking signals from the linking site, especially when the linking domain is relevant and of high quality. The strength of the effect depends on factors such as domain authority, relevance, anchor text, and link placement. There is no guaranteed ranking boost, as search engines use a complex set of signals and may discount manipulative link schemes. Paid or promotional links should be annotated with appropriate attributes to comply with guidelines.

Best practices: Earn natural, high-quality do-follow links through valuable content, outreach, and relationship-building. Maintain relevance and diversify anchor text. Monitor for toxic links and disavow if necessary. For links that should not pass value, use nofollow, ugc, or sponsored attributes to comply with guidelines.