The Difference Between DoFollow and NoFollow Backlinks
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Why Build or Redesign your Website?
Having a well-designed website is essential for any business today. It’s often the first impression potential customers have of your brand. A
professional, functional,
and mobile-friendly site not only builds credibility but also ensures visitors can easily find the information they need—whether it's to
learn more about your services, make a purchase,
or get in touch. Your website should work as a 24/7 representative that reflects your brand identity and drives results.
Redesigning a website becomes necessary when it starts to feel outdated, loads slowly, or no longer supports your current goals.
Technology, design trends, and user expectations change quickly—what worked five years ago might now be hurting your traffic and
conversions.
A strategic redesign improves performance, user experience, and SEO, making your site more effective at turning visitors into customers.
It’s an investment that helps your business grow online.
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Backlinks are the backbone of search engine optimisation (SEO). They act as digital votes of confidence from one website to another. When
another site links to yours, it signals to search engines like Google that your content is valuable and trustworthy. However, not all
backlinks carry the same weight—some pass authority, while others simply provide visibility.
To understand this distinction, we must explore the two fundamental types of backlinks: DoFollow and NoFollow.
These link attributes influence how search engines treat links, how authority (often referred to as “link juice”) flows, and how your
website’s ranking is affected. For anyone building an online presence in New Zealand—whether a blogger, e-commerce owner, or
marketer—understanding the difference is essential for a balanced and effective SEO strategy.
What Is a DoFollow Backlink?
A DoFollow backlink is the default type of link that allows search engines to follow it and transfer authority from the
referring site to the linked page. This transfer of authority boosts the linked page’s credibility and can improve its position in search
results.
For instance, if a high-authority New Zealand website such as Stuff.co.nz or NZ Herald links to your blog, search engines
interpret that as a sign your content is reliable. The result is higher trust and potential ranking improvements. DoFollow backlinks
essentially act as endorsements in the eyes of Google’s algorithm.
These backlinks can come from sources such as:
Guest posts on reputable blogs.
Editorial mentions in online publications.
Resource pages that list trusted content.
Social profiles or business listings (if not marked NoFollow).
The more quality DoFollow backlinks your site earns, the stronger your overall SEO profile becomes.
What Is a NoFollow Backlink?
In contrast, a NoFollow backlink includes a special HTML attribute (rel="nofollow") that tells search engines not to pass
on link equity or authority. This means that while the link can still generate referral traffic, it doesn’t directly influence the target
page’s search ranking.
NoFollow links were originally introduced by Google in 2005 to combat spam, particularly in blog comments and forums where users often
posted irrelevant links just to gain SEO benefits. Over time, NoFollow has evolved—it’s no longer a complete disregard signal but rather a
“hint” that search engines can choose to interpret contextually.
Common sources of NoFollow links include:
Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.).
Blog comments and user-generated content.
Press releases and sponsored content.
Paid advertisements or affiliate links.
Although they don’t directly pass link equity, NoFollow backlinks can still offer visibility, traffic, and brand awareness.
The Technical Difference in HTML
From a technical perspective, the difference between the two is simple but significant.
That one small attribute—rel="nofollow"—changes how search engines treat the link. While both links are clickable for human users, only the
DoFollow one contributes to SEO authority transfer.
How Google Interprets These Links
For years, Google completely ignored NoFollow links when calculating PageRank. However, since 2019, Google has shifted to using NoFollow,
UGC (User Generated Content), and Sponsored attributes as hints rather than absolute directives. This means Google’s algorithm can
decide whether or not to use a NoFollow link for ranking signals based on context and trustworthiness.
In other words, while a NoFollow link won’t always pass full authority, it may still carry some SEO value if it appears natural,
relevant, and from a trusted domain.
For New Zealand website owners, this change underscores the importance of maintaining a diverse backlink profile that includes both DoFollow
and NoFollow links from credible local and international sources.
Why Both Types of Backlinks Matter
A strong SEO strategy doesn’t rely solely on DoFollow links. In fact, having only one type of backlink can appear unnatural to search
engines and might trigger suspicion. A mix of both types signals a healthy, organic link profile.
DoFollow backlinks help improve your rankings by transferring authority. NoFollow backlinks drive targeted traffic, enhance brand exposure, and contribute to trust signals.
For example, if your New Zealand business gets mentioned in a Stuff.co.nz article (NoFollow) and a local blogger references your
product (DoFollow), both links work together—one builds visibility, the other boosts ranking authority.
When to Use NoFollow Links on Your Own Site
If you’re a content creator or blogger, you should strategically decide which outbound links to mark as NoFollow. Use the NoFollow attribute
when linking to:
Unverified or low-quality sources.
Affiliate links or sponsored posts.
User-submitted content or guest contributions.
Comment sections to prevent spam links.
This practice helps you maintain your website’s credibility and prevents diluting your own link equity by passing authority to irrelevant or
untrusted sites.
The Role of Sponsored and UGC Attributes
In addition to DoFollow and NoFollow, Google introduced two newer attributes:
rel="sponsored" – for paid promotions, advertisements, or affiliate links.
rel="ugc" – for user-generated content like forum posts or comments.
These provide more specific context to search engines about the nature of the link. For example, if your New Zealand business runs an
influencer campaign, links in sponsored blog posts should use rel="sponsored". This ensures transparency while maintaining compliance with
Google’s guidelines.
The SEO Impact of DoFollow vs. NoFollow
DoFollow backlinks are powerful SEO assets. They directly influence your site’s Domain Authority (DA) and help pages climb
higher in SERPs. A single high-quality DoFollow link from a trusted NZ website can sometimes outweigh dozens of low-quality backlinks.
NoFollow backlinks, on the other hand, still play an indirect SEO role. They can:
Drive referral traffic from popular sites.
Increase brand mentions and awareness.
Help diversify your backlink profile.
Encourage natural DoFollow links later (as exposure grows).
For example, being featured in a NoFollow link on NZ Herald may not directly boost your PageRank, but it can lead journalists,
bloggers, or customers to your website—some of whom might later create DoFollow links organically.
How to Check Whether a Link Is DoFollow or NoFollow
To verify link types, you can:
Inspect the Page Source: Right-click on the link and select “Inspect.” Look for the rel="nofollow" tag in the HTML code.
Use SEO Tools: Platforms like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz can automatically identify and categorize backlinks.
Install Browser Extensions: Tools like MozBar or SEOquake allow you to see link types instantly while browsing.
Regularly auditing your backlink profile ensures you maintain a balanced and high-quality mix of both link types.
Building Quality DoFollow Backlinks
Earning DoFollow backlinks requires effort and strategy. Some of the best methods include:
Guest Blogging: Writing for credible industry blogs or NZ-based publications.
Creating Shareable Content: High-value guides, data reports, or infographics.
Collaborating with Influencers: Partnerships that produce natural mentions.
Submitting to Directories: Local New Zealand business directories that allow DoFollow links.
Earning Press Mentions: Getting featured in articles or news stories.
Quality always beats quantity. One DoFollow link from a reputable source can have more impact than ten from unrelated or low-quality sites.
Gaining Value from NoFollow Backlinks
Don’t dismiss NoFollow backlinks—they can still serve your digital marketing goals. For instance:
A mention on a high-traffic website like Reddit or Stuff.co.nz can generate thousands of visitors.
A NoFollow link on a respected NZ influencer’s blog can enhance credibility and brand recognition.
These links can help search engines understand your brand’s visibility and relevance.
In many cases, NoFollow links serve as stepping stones to earning more valuable DoFollow links later.
Balancing Your Backlink Profile
Think of your backlink profile like a balanced diet. Too much of one element—whether DoFollow or NoFollow—can throw things off. Aim for a
natural mix that mirrors real-world linking patterns.
For example, successful New Zealand websites often have around 60–70% DoFollow links and 30–40% NoFollow links. While there’s no strict
formula, a diverse portfolio signals authenticity to search engines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Buying Links: Google penalises paid link schemes. Always earn links naturally.
Ignoring NoFollow Links: They still bring brand visibility and traffic.
Overusing Exact-Match Anchors: Diversify your anchor text to avoid spam signals.
Neglecting Link Relevance: Links from unrelated sites can harm your credibility.
A safe, sustainable strategy focuses on relationships and quality, not manipulation or shortcuts.
The New Zealand Perspective
For New Zealand websites, local relevance matters as much as authority. Links from New Zealand-based businesses, bloggers, and news sites
carry extra local SEO weight. Whether DoFollow or NoFollow, these links help Google associate your brand with regional searches—boosting
your presence in local SERPs.
By prioritising partnerships with NZ-based websites, you can cultivate backlinks that strengthen both your SEO and your reputation in the
local market.
Conclusion
In essence, DoFollow and NoFollow backlinks play complementary roles in SEO. DoFollow links transfer
authority and improve rankings, while NoFollow links increase visibility and traffic. Both are essential to a healthy, organic backlink
strategy.
For long-term success, focus on creating valuable, link-worthy content, fostering genuine relationships, and maintaining ethical SEO
practices. Over time, your website will naturally accumulate both types of backlinks—building authority, trust, and lasting impact across
the New Zealand digital landscape.
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