What is a DoFollow link? Best Practices [2024]
What is a DoFollow link? Best Practices [2024]
If you’ve ever delved into the world of organic SEO, you’ve undoubtedly come across the term “dofollow link”. But what exactly is a dofollow link? And how can it contribute to your SEO strategy? That’s what we’re going to explore together.
The Basics of the Dofollow Link
In simple terms, a dofollow link is a link that passes “SEO juice”, or link authority, from the source page to the destination page. These links are essential for improving a site’s ranking on search engines like Google.
When a high authority website creates a dofollow link to your site, this can be seen as a vote of confidence in the eyes of search engines. The more of these “votes” you get, the more your site is considered trustworthy and relevant, which can improve your ranking in search results. Therefore, dofollow links are a fundamental piece of any SEO strategy. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that not all dofollow links are equal. The quality of the link, in terms of relevance and authority of the source page, has a significant impact on its usefulness.
Dofollow Links and Organic SEO
If your goal is to improve your organic SEO, incorporating dofollow links into your strategy is crucial. Here’s why:
- They increase the authority of your site: Dofollow links from authority websites can help improve the authority of your own site.
- They lead to more traffic: Link with SEO value can drive users from other sites to yours, thereby increasing your traffic.
- They improve your visibility: Having SEO-friendly link from multiple sites can increase your visibility on the web, making your site easier to find.
Contrasting DoFollow with Its Counterpart: NoFollow Links
To truly grasp the importance of DoFollow links, one must understand their counterpart: the NoFollow links.
Introducing the NoFollow Attribute
Born out of the necessity to combat spammy and irrelevant links, the NoFollow attribute (rel="nofollow") serves as a barrier. It tells search engines to not bestow any authority to the linked page, effectively sidelining it from the SEO game.
The Strategic Use of NoFollow
While it might seem counterproductive to use links that don’t pass authority, NoFollow links have their strategic place. They’re essential in scenarios where a website doesn’t want to vouch for the linked content, such as user-generated content, comments, or sponsored links.
The DNA of a DoFollow Link
In the interconnected web that is the internet, links serve as pathways, guiding users and search engines from one page to another. But not all links are created equal.
What Exactly is a DoFollow Link?
A DoFollow link, stripped down to its essence, is a standard hyperlink devoid of any specific attributes that instruct search engines to ignore it. It’s the default nature of any link, signaling search engines to follow its path and, in the process, pass on a certain authority or “link juice” to the linked page.
The SEO Ramifications:
This transfer of authority is not just a simple handoff. It’s a powerful endorsement, a nod from one website to another, indicating the value and relevance of the linked content. In the eyes of search engines, this endorsement can significantly bolster the linked page’s authority and, consequently, its ranking.
How to Get Quality Dofollow Links?
It’s important to note that obtaining dofollow links requires time and effort. It’s not enough to just insert links randomly. Instead, you need to devise a strategy that involves getting quality links from relevant and trustworthy sites. Here are some tips to achieve that:
- Create quality content: The best way to get dofollow links is to produce high-quality content that interests other sites. The more useful and interesting your content is, the more other sites will be inclined to create a link to yours.
- Use social networks: Social media platforms can be an excellent way to promote your content and attract the attention of other sites.
- Establish relationships: Building relationships with other webmasters and bloggers can pave the way for dofollow link opportunities.
To assess quality, I use Majestic tool :
The creation of a DoFollow link is straightforward, but distinguishing them requires a discerning eye.
- The Anatomy of a DoFollow Link: By nature, any link you create without additional attributes is a Do Follow link. For instance,
<a href="https://example.com">Visit Example</a>is a DoFollow link. - Detecting a DoFollow Link: To ascertain if a link is DoFollow, one can inspect its code. If it lacks the
rel="nofollow"attribute, it’s a Do Follow link. Additionally, tools like SEMrush can assist in this identification process.
Harnessing the power of DoFollow links requires a blend of strategy and finesse.
- Diversification is Crucial: A natural backlink profile, one that search engines favor, consists of a mix of both DoFollow and NoFollow links. This diversity signals authenticity and organic growth.
- Varied and Relevant Anchor Text: The visible, clickable text in a hyperlink, known as anchor text, should be diverse and pertinent. Repeatedly using the same keyword-rich anchor text can appear manipulative to search engines and may lead to penalties.
In the end, obtaining dofollow links is a process that requires a well-thought-out strategy and a quality-oriented approach. It’s a long-term investment that can greatly contribute to improving your organic SEO.
Different Techniques for Obtaining Quality Dofollow Links
As we previously mentioned, obtaining quality dofollow links is essential for improving the organic SEO of your site. Here are some techniques that can help you achieve this goal.
In the world of SEO, it’s not just about having backlinks; it’s about having the right kind.
- Quality Over Sheer Numbers: Prioritize obtaining high-quality DoFollow links from authoritative sources. These links can have a profound impact on your site’s authority and rankings.
- Regular Backlink Audits: Periodically review your backlink profile. Remove or disavow low-quality or spammy links that might harm your site’s reputation.
Guest Blogging
Guest blogging, or guest posting, is a popular strategy for obtaining dofollow links. It involves writing an article for another blog or website. In exchange for your content, the host usually includes a authority link to your site in the article or in your author bio.
This is a win-win situation: the host site gets free, high-quality content, and you get a dofollow link to your site. However, it’s crucial to choose authority sites in your field for this strategy, as a link from a low-quality site may not bring much SEO value.
Networking
Building relationships with other websites or blogs in your niche can also be an excellent way to get followed links. Participating in industry events, commenting on other blogs, and collaborating on projects can help you build beneficial relationships and earn dofollow links.
Partnerships
Partnerships with other businesses or influencers in your industry can be another way to get dofollow links. This can include link exchanges, event sponsorship, or working on joint projects.
Creating Quality Content
In the end, creating high-quality content is one of the best ways to earn SEO-friendly links. When you create content that others find useful, relevant, and interesting, they’re more likely to link to your site.
Also, Google values quality content. So, by creating useful and informative content, you can improve your ranking in search results, which can help you earn more dofollow links.
To learn more about the importance of quality content for organic SEO, don’t hesitate to visit our Contact page to get in touch with our SEO agency.
How to Measure the Effectiveness of Your Dofollow Links?
After working hard to earn dofollow links, it’s crucial to monitor their performance. Analytics tools, like Google Analytics and Search Console, can help you measure the impact of your organic SEO efforts. Here are a few key indicators to monitor:
Referral Traffic
This is the amount of traffic you receive from third-party websites. If a dofollow link is effective, it should generate traffic to your site.
Search Rankings
An effective dofollow link can help improve your search rankings. If you notice an increase in your ranking for targeted keywords after earning a link with SEO value, it’s a good sign that the link is beneficial.
Domain Authority
This is a measure of the “strength” of your website in search results. The more high-quality dofollow links you have, the higher your domain authority is.
I also frequently use Ahrefs to analyze the quality of backlinks and RankDomaine :
Precautions to Take with Dofollow Links
While seeking to obtain authority links, it’s essential to take certain precautions to avoid Google penalties. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
Avoid Link Schemes
Google penalizes sites that use link schemes, such as buying or selling links, excessive link exchanges, or using automated services to create links. It is crucial to obtain dofollow links in a natural and ethical manner.
Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
Not all links are created equal. A link from a high-quality site carries more weight than a link from a low-quality site. Therefore, strive to obtain dofollow links from authoritative sites in your field.
Beginner’s Guide: Step-by-Step Tutorial to Earn DoFollow Links
Earning DoFollow links is a crucial aspect of SEO. These links can significantly boost your website’s authority, driving more organic traffic and improving search engine rankings. If you’re a beginner looking to navigate the world of authority links, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Value of a DoFollow Link
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to grasp why DoFollow links are valuable:
- SEO Boost: They pass on “link juice” or authority, helping improve your website’s search engine ranking.
- Increased Traffic: Quality DoFollow links from high-traffic websites can drive a significant amount of referral traffic.
- Enhanced Credibility: Earning links from reputable sources can boost your site’s credibility and trustworthiness.
Step-by-Step Guide to Earning DoFollow Links
1. Create High-Quality, Shareable Content
- Why: The foundation of earning quality links is exceptional content. If your content is valuable, informative, and shareable, other websites will naturally want to link to it.
- How:
- Research trending topics in your niche.
- Use tools like BuzzSumo to identify popular content formats.
- Ensure your content is well-researched, well-written, and offers a unique perspective or solution.
I discovered buzzsumo while making this article to be transparent with you. And I think I’m going to test it to see if it works well in order to integrate it into my strategy.
2. Guest Blogging
- Why: Guest blogging allows you to tap into another website’s audience and earn a backlink in return.
- How:
- Identify reputable websites in your niche that accept guest posts.
- Pitch unique content ideas that would benefit their audience.
- Ensure your bio includes a DoFollow link back to your website.
3. Engage In Relevant Forums And Communities
- Why: While many forums offer NoFollow links, some provide DoFollow links. Beyond the link, engaging in communities can also drive direct traffic.
- How:
- Join platforms like Quora or niche-specific forums.
- Provide valuable answers and insights.
- Naturally incorporate a link to your content where relevant.
4. Build Relationships With Industry Influencers
- Why: Building genuine relationships can lead to organic mentions and backlinks from influential sites.
- How:
- Engage with influencers on social media.
- Share their content and provide valuable insights.
- Collaborate on content projects or interviews.
5. Utilize Skyscraper Technique
The Skyscraper Technique, coined by Brian Dean of Backlinko, is a content-driven link-building method designed to attract backlinks by creating superior content. The principle is simple: find popular content in your niche and create something even better.
- Why Skyscraper Technique : By creating content that’s better than existing top-ranking content, you can earn backlinks from those who linked to the original content.
- How:
- Identify top-performing content in your niche.
- Create a more comprehensive, updated, and better-designed version.
- Reach out to websites that linked to the original, showcasing your superior content.
6. Broken Link Building
- Why: Webmasters appreciate being informed about broken links on their site. In return for the favor, they might replace the broken link with a link to your relevant content.
- How:
- Use tools like Broken Link Checker to find broken links on relevant websites.
- Reach out to the webmaster with a polite note about the broken link and suggest your content as a replacement.
In summary, a dofollow link is a valuable tool for any SEO strategy. Understanding its intricacies and knowing how to obtain it can greatly improve your site’s visibility.
And there you have it, you now have a solid understanding of what a dofollow link is and its importance for your site’s SEO. Remember, it’s not just about obtaining as many links with SEO value as possible, but about creating quality relationships and producing valuable content that naturally encourages others to link to you. By following these guidelines, you’ll be on the right track to improving your online visibility and achieving your SEO goals.
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Éric Ibanez
SEO Writer - CEO @hacktheseo
An expert in SEO since the launch of his e-commerce dedicated SAAS in 2016, Eric quickly grasped the significance of optimization for search engines to acquire new clients. Building on this expertise, he authored a book in 2019, published by Dunod, providing invaluable insights for succeeding in the e-commerce world. Recently, Eric introduced an innovative SAAS, leveraging artificial intelligence to assist entrepreneurs in enhancing their visibility on Google through simplified SEO.
3 thoughts on “What is a DoFollow link? Best Practices [2024]”
Thanks for this article !