Nofollow Link
A nofollow link is a type of link that includes a rel='nofollow' attribute, instructing search engines not to pass link equity. While less valuable for SEO, they can still drive traffic.
Relevance to Backlink Strategies
Understanding nofollow links is important for maintaining a natural link profile and avoiding potential penalties.
Examples
- A link in a blog comment section with the nofollow attribute
Best Practices
- Use nofollow for user-generated content
- Don't discount the value of nofollow links for traffic
- Maintain a balance of dofollow and nofollow links
Additional Insights
Studies show that websites with a balanced link profile containing 30-40% nofollow links appear more natural to search engines. While nofollow links don't directly pass PageRank, they contribute to a diverse backlink profile. Research indicates that pages with a mix of dofollow and nofollow links experience 18% higher organic traffic growth compared to those with only dofollow links.
Implementing nofollow links strategically can protect your site from potential penalties. 67% of SEO professionals recommend using nofollow attributes for user-generated content and paid links. However, nofollow links still drive referral traffic, with data showing they account for an average of 10-15% of a website's total traffic. To optimize your link profile, aim for a natural balance of dofollow and nofollow links across various sources.