Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks: Complete Guide
March 6, 2026
The Basics
When a website links to yours, that link can be either dofollow or nofollow. This distinction has significant implications for SEO.
Dofollow Links
Standard HTML links that pass SEO authority. They directly contribute to your domain rating and search rankings.
Nofollow Links
Links with rel="nofollow" that tell search engines not to pass authority. They still drive referral traffic.
Which is Better?
Both have value. A natural backlink profile includes a mix. For DR growth specifically, dofollow links are essential.
Where to Get Dofollow Links
- Quality directories like DRBoost
- Guest posts
- Editorial mentions
- Resource pages