Dofollow Links

What Are Dofollow Links? 

In SEO, a dofollow link refers to a standard hyperlink that is not marked with any special attributes to disable search engine follow. 

In essence, any normal HTML link – <a href="https://example.com">Link</a> – is a “dofollow” link by default. The term “dofollow” itself is unofficial (you won’t find rel="dofollow" in HTML specs); it’s simply used to contrast with nofollow links. 

A nofollow link is one that includes a rel="nofollow"attribute (or related attributes like rel="ugc" or rel="sponsored") instructing search engines not to count that link as an endorsement.

In summary:

• A dofollow link can be crawled by search engine bots and is interpreted as a “vote of confidence” for the target page, potentially influencing the target’s ranking​.
• A nofollow link has a tag (rel="nofollow") that signals the link should not pass on ranking credit (historically it meant “don’t follow this link at all,” though now it’s a hint)​. Nofollow links are typically not counted as votes by Google’s algorithm (or at least given much less weight)​.

Example of do follow link in HTML

<!-- Dofollow link (default) -->

<a href="https://example.com/page">Visit Example</a>

‍

<!-- Nofollow link -->

<a href="https://example.com/page" rel="nofollow">Visit Example</a>

‍

In the first, search engines will follow that link to the target page and potentially give SEO credit. In the second, the nofollow tells search engines, “I’m not vouching for this link.”

There are also newer related attributes:

• rel="sponsored" – introduced by Google to specifically mark paid or sponsored links (advertisements, paid placements)​.
• rel="ugc" – for user-generated content links (like in comments or forum posts).

All three (nofollow, ugc, sponsored) are treated similarly by Google: as hints that the link should not (or may not) confer ranking credit. Collectively, such links are often just called “nofollow” in general discussion.

How Dofollow Links Pass Link Equity (PageRank)

Dofollow links are fundamental to how Google’s ranking algorithm works. Google’s original algorithm (PageRank) treated links as “votes” for the importance or quality of a page. Each dofollow backlink to a page can pass a portion of the linking page’s authority to the linked page​. This is often called “link juice” or link equity.

In practice:

• If a high-authority site links to you with a dofollow link, it’s as if they are transferring some of their trust/authority to you. This can significantly boost your PageRank and, by extension, your search rankings.
• If a low-quality site links to you, that vote might carry little weight (or in some cases, could be ignored or seen negatively if it’s spammy – Google has systems to handle spam links). But generally, more quality dofollow links = more ranking potential.

Acquiring Dofollow Links (Link Building Strategies)

Earning high-quality dofollow backlinks is critical for SEO success. Below are common strategies to acquire dofollow links, along with best practices:

1. Create Content That Naturally Attracts Dofollow Links

At the core of every sustainable link building strategy is this: publish something that deserves to be linked to. This is often referred to as creating “link-worthy” or “linkable” content, and it’s the most reliable way to earn dofollow backlinks without begging for them.

This includes formats like:

• Original research or surveys with unique data
• In-depth how-to guides or tutorials
• Infographics or data visualizations
• Free tools, calculators, or templates
• Opinionated or expert-level analysis on trending topics

When your content genuinely offers value—especially something that others in your space haven’t published—it becomes an asset that other writers, bloggers, and journalists want to cite. And when they do, most editorial links are dofollow by default.

This method is often referred to as “link earning” rather than link building because the link comes as a result of value delivered, not outreach effort. It’s the approach most aligned with Google’s guidelines, and when done consistently, it compounds over time—especially when the content ranks well and continues to attract organic visibility.

2. Outreach and Digital PR for Strategic Backlink Acquisition

While great content can attract links organically, a proactive outreach strategy helps you put that content in front of the right people. This is especially useful when you’re trying to promote a new piece, reclaim lost link opportunities, or position your brand in high-authority spaces.

There are a few key outreach-driven tactics that can earn you dofollow backlinks if done carefully:

Guest Posting (Done Right)

Contributing an article to a high-quality, relevant blog in your niche can still be effective when done selectively. In most cases, you’ll earn either a contextual link within the article or a dofollow link in your author bio. But quality matters more than volume—Google is clear that mass guest posting for links is considered manipulative. Aim for reputable industry sites, and focus on offering actual value to their audience, not just dropping links.

PR Campaigns, Press Releases, and Creative Coverage

Getting media attention through newsworthy campaigns, product launches, data reports, or even creative PR stunts can result in dofollow links from blogs, publications, and industry-specific news outlets. While many top-tier media outlets add a nofollow to editorial links, that initial exposure often leads to ripple effects: bloggers, curators, and niche writers may pick up the story and link to you without any restrictions. Think of it as indirect link building through visibility.

Direct Outreach and Brand Mention Reclamation

Not all backlinks require writing new content. If someone has already mentioned your brand but didn’t link to you, reach out and ask them to add one. It’s a low-friction ask and often successful. Similarly, if you’ve published a high-value piece of content, you can email relevant sites that cover similar topics and suggest your resource as something worth including. Keep it polite and non-pushy—most editors ignore salesy emails, but thoughtful, relevant suggestions can get traction.

Ultimately, outreach and PR aren’t about mass emailing or spamming inboxes. They’re about building relationships and getting your best content in front of people who would genuinely benefit from referencing it. Done well, this leads to dofollow links from trusted sites and long-term visibility.

3. Resource Page and Directory Link Building

One of the more overlooked tactics in link building is getting listed on resource pages and curated directories. These are pages that exist specifically to link out to helpful or authoritative content on a specific topic. You’ll often find them on .edu or .gov sites, industry association websites, or trusted niche publications. For example, a government health portal might have a “Helpful Resources” section for mental wellness, and if you’ve published a guide or tool that fits, you can reach out and request inclusion.

The benefit? Many of these links are dofollow, especially when the list is manually curated. Even niche directories—like trusted SaaS listings, startup databases, or academic resource lists—can offer dofollow links that carry both authority and referral potential.

Just be selective. Avoid low-quality, spammy directories that exist only to sell links. Stick to pages where someone has actually vetted the resources listed. Getting included on a respected list signals credibility, earns a solid link, and can even send qualified traffic. While Dmoz is gone, the concept still works—quality resource placements still have SEO value when done right.

4. Broken Link Building

Broken link building is a classic for a reason—it’s smart, scalable, and helpful for both sides. The idea is simple: find broken links on relevant websites (typically links that point to 404 pages), then suggest your own content as a suitable replacement.

Let’s say a blog once linked to an SEO guide that no longer exists. If you’ve published a similar, up-to-date version, you can email the site owner, let them know about the dead link, and suggest yours instead. It’s a win-win—you help improve their site while earning a backlink.

Most of the time, when a site replaces a broken link, they’ll use a dofollow link by default. And because you’re making a useful suggestion rather than pitching randomly, your chances of getting a positive response go up.

The catch? It takes research. You’ll need tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Check My Links to find broken backlinks on relevant domains. Then you’ll need to do personalised outreach. But when done well, it’s a high-quality, scalable method to earn editorial links without needing to create brand-new assets from scratch.

5. Community Forums, Q&A Platforms, and Niche Discussions

Participating in communities like forums, subreddits, and Q&A platforms won’t usually land you dofollow backlinks directly—but it’s still a useful strategy, and occasionally you’ll find exceptions.

Most major platforms like Quora, Reddit, and Stack Overflow apply a nofollow tag to all outbound links, which means the link won’t pass SEO authority. But some niche industry forums or older platforms still allow dofollow links, either in user profiles, forum signatures, or under specific conditions within posts.

Even without direct SEO value, there are benefits. Community participation builds credibility, drives referral traffic, and can open up indirect linking opportunities. For instance, if a blogger stumbles upon your answer on a forum and finds your resource helpful, they might link to it from their own blog—that link could be dofollow and much more valuable.

In short, don’t rely on forums for link equity alone, but don’t ignore them either. Use them to establish presence in your niche, support others with thoughtful responses, and occasionally drop a relevant link when it’s truly helpful. The trust you build can turn into SEO wins over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you get dofollow links from resource pages or directories?

Yes, but it depends on the quality and structure of the site. Many .edu, .gov, or niche industry sites maintain curated “resource” pages that link out to useful tools, guides, or services. If your content fits their theme, you can reach out and ask to be included. These links are often dofollow, especially if the site manually curates listings. Reputable directories can also pass dofollow equity, but you should avoid spammy or auto-approved directories. Focus on human-curated, niche-relevant listings that provide actual value to users and potential traffic to your site.

2. How does broken link building earn dofollow backlinks?

Broken link building works by finding outdated or non-working links on relevant websites, then offering your content as a replacement. Since you're helping the webmaster fix a 404 or dead link, they’re often happy to swap it out—and most will use a standard dofollow link. This technique is effective because it's mutually beneficial: you improve their user experience, and you get a link in return. The key is finding broken links on pages that are relevant to your niche and offering content that fits naturally in that context.

3. Do forum or community links count as dofollow backlinks?

In most cases, no. Platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Stack Exchange automatically apply the nofollow attribute to user-submitted links, so those links don’t directly pass PageRank. However, some niche forums or legacy platforms might still allow dofollow links in user profiles or specific posts. Even when links are nofollow, they can bring indirect benefits: referral traffic, brand exposure, and even editorial dofollow links from bloggers who discover your content through those communities. So while forum links usually don’t help SEO directly, they can still be strategically valuable.

4. Can social media or content-sharing platforms provide dofollow links?

Most major social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) mark all external links as nofollow, meaning they don’t pass SEO value. However, some secondary platforms and content-sharing sites may allow dofollow links—usually in profile bios, document descriptions, or embed metadata. For example, if you verify your website on Medium, some of your links can become dofollow. Still, these links are typically low in authority and shouldn’t be your primary SEO focus. They’re better for visibility and traffic than for direct SEO impact.

5. Is it risky to buy dofollow links or use black-hat link building tactics?

Yes, very risky. While buying links might seem like a shortcut to better rankings, it goes against Google’s link spam policies. If you're caught buying or exchanging dofollow links in manipulative ways (e.g., private blog networks, paid guest posts without proper attribution), your site could face a manual penalty or algorithmic devaluation. Google either ignores these links or, in serious cases, penalizes your site by demoting its rankings. Best practice: focus on earning dofollow links naturally through valuable content, relationships, and ethical outreach. Anything else risks more harm than benefit.