Back in the early days of the internet, the “nofollow” attribute was a signal to search engine crawlers not to follow a specific link. This was initially implemented to combat spam and prevent paid links from influencing search rankings. As a result, many webmasters and seo professionals shunned the use of nofollow links, favoring the more powerful “dofollow” links that passed on link equity and helped improve a website’s search engine rankings.

However, in recent years, there has been a shift in the way nofollow links are perceived and utilized in link building strategies. With the introduction of new attributes such as “sponsored” and “ugc,” Google has made it clear that nofollow links can still have value in the eyes of search engines.

So, is nofollow the new dofollow? Let’s explore some of the reasons why nofollow links have become an important part of a comprehensive link building strategy.

1. Trust and authority

Search engines have become more sophisticated in their ability to assess the trust and authority of websites. While dofollow links are valuable in passing on link equity, nofollow links can still contribute to a website’s trust and authority when coming from reputable sources. This can ultimately have a positive impact on search rankings.

2. Natural link profiles

In the past, having too many dofollow links and not enough nofollow links could raise red flags with search engines, potentially leading to penalties for unnatural link profiles. By including a mix of dofollow and nofollow links in a link building strategy, websites can create a more natural link profile that appears authentic to search engines.

3. Referral traffic

While nofollow links may not pass on link equity, they can still drive valuable referral traffic to a website. By appearing on relevant websites and platforms, nofollow links can generate clicks and potential conversions, contributing to the overall success of a website.

4. Brand visibility and awareness

Nofollow links can still play a role in building brand visibility and awareness. When mentioned on reputable websites and platforms, even a nofollow link can contribute to a website’s overall visibility and recognition within a specific industry or niche.

In summary, the landscape of link building and SEO has evolved, and nofollow links have become a valuable asset in a comprehensive link building strategy. While dofollow links continue to be important for passing on link equity and improving search rankings, nofollow links can still contribute to trust, authority, referral traffic, and brand visibility. As a result, website owners and SEO professionals should consider incorporating a mix of dofollow and nofollow links to create a natural and effective link profile that aligns with search engine guidelines and best practices.