Hey, SEO fam! 🌟 Welcome back to Backlink Haven. Yesterday, we decoded how Google judges backlinks. Today, we’re tackling the age-old debate: Do “dofollow” links really matter more than “nofollow” links?

Short answer: It’s not either/or—it’s both/and. Let’s dive into why ignoring nofollow links is like leaving free SEO money on the table. 💸

Dofollow vs. Nofollow: What’s the Difference?

Think of them like two types of recommendations

• Dofollow links: A glowing Yelp review. Google sees it and thinks, “This site must be legit!”
• Nofollow links: A friend whispering, “Check this out!” Google ignores the SEO “vote”… but real people still click.

The technical breakdown

• rel="dofollow": Lets Google pass “link juice” (SEO power) to your site.
• rel="nofollow": Tells Google, “Don’t count this link for rankings.”

Why Dofollow Links Aren’t the Only MVP

The pros and cons of dofollow links
✅ Pros:

• Directly boost rankings.
• Build domain authority.
• Signal trust to Google.

❌ Cons:

• Over-optimizing = penalty risk.
• Harder to earn (especially from high-DA sites).

Where to find them

• Guest posts (with editorial approval).
• Resource pages.
• Expert roundups.

👉 Pro Tip: Want dofollow links without the grind? Backlink Haven secures them from authority sites in your niche.

The Secret Power of Nofollow Links (Yes, Really!)

Why they’re NOT useless

1. They drive traffic: Reddit, Quora, and social media links = real clicks.
2. They look natural: A 100% dofollow profile screams “I’m gaming the system!”
3. They future-proof you: Google’s always changing rules.

Top sources of nofollow gold

• Social media posts.
• Forum discussions.
• Blog comments (on relevant sites).
• Press releases.

Google’s 2024 Update: Are Nofollow Links Still Ignored?

The truth about “nofollow” in 2024
Google says nofollow links don’t pass SEO juice… but:

• They still indirectly help (traffic → brand signals → rankings).
• Google uses them to understand your site’s reputation.
• Some nofollow links convert to dofollow over time (if the site owner removes the tag).

The 70/30 rule
Aim for:

• 70% dofollow (for SEO power).
• 30% nofollow (for natural diversity).

3 Myths About Nofollow Links (Debunked!)

Myth 1: “Nofollow links are worthless.”
Truth: They drive traffic and balance your profile.

Myth 2: “All social media links are nofollow.”
Truth: Some platforms (like LinkedIn Articles) allow dofollow!

Myth 3: “Nofollow links can’t hurt you.”
Truth: Spammy nofollow links (e.g., porn forums) still hurt your reputation.

How to Get More Dofollow Links (Without Getting Penalized)

3 safe strategies

1. Guest posting: Write for sites with editorial guidelines (not spammy PBNs).
2. Broken link building: Replace dead links with your content (we covered this in Day 10).
3. Create shareable tools: Free calculators, templates, or apps earn organic links.

Avoid these mistakes

• Buying dofollow links (☠️ penalty bait!).
• Stuffing exact-match anchor text.
• Ignoring relevance (a dofollow link from a dog grooming site won’t help your crypto blog).

How to Leverage Nofollow Links for MAX Impact

Turn them into traffic machines

1. Share on Reddit/Quora: Answer questions and link to your site (even if nofollow).
2. Engage in niche forums: Be helpful, not spammy.
3. Repurpose content: Turn blogs into YouTube videos or infographics, then link back.

Convert nofollow to dofollow

• Build relationships with site owners.
• Offer to update their old posts with your new, relevant content.
• Sweeten the deal: “I’ll share your post with my 10k email list!”

“How Do I Track Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links?”

Free tools to spy on your links

1. Ahrefs Backlink Checker: Filters links by follow/nofollow.
2. Google Search Console: Shows which links Google “counts.”
3. Ubersuggest: Quick audit of your link profile.

Too busy to track?
Backlink Haven monitors your links 24/7—and cleans up toxic ones automatically.

Ready for Day 5?

Tomorrow, we’re busting 5 common backlink myths that even “experts” get wrong. (Hint: One of them could be tanking your rankings right now. 😱)

Save this guide and tag a friend who needs SEO help! 🙌

Struggling to balance dofollow/nofollow links? Let’s optimize your profile in 24 hours.