How to Use a Dofollow Link Checker to Enhance Your SEO Strategy
Dofollow Link Checker: How to Easily Identify Powerful Backlinks in 2025
Introduction: Are Your Backlinks Helping or Hurting Your SEO?
You’ve put in the work—writing blog posts, sharing on forums, guest posting like a pro. But here’s the real question: Are your backlinks actually helping your SEO? Not all links are created equal. If your backlink profile is filled with nofollow links, you might be missing out on serious search engine value.
That’s where a dofollow link checker comes in. Whether you’re a digital marketer, blogger, or small business owner, this tool helps you instantly identify which backlinks are passing SEO juice—and which ones aren’t worth the hype.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about dofollow checkers, why they matter, how to use them, and the best tools available right now.
Tool/Method | Free Plan Available | Key Features | Best Use Case | Ease of Use |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ahrefs | ❌ (Paid only) | Comprehensive backlink audit, dofollow/nofollow status, anchor text analysis | Full backlink profile audit for pros and agencies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ubersuggest | ✅ | Backlink checker, keyword data, SEO analysis | Affordable option for beginners tracking dofollow links | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Small SEO Tools – Dofollow Checker | ✅ | Bulk link input (up to 100 URLs), fast processing | Quick check of backlinks in bulk | ⭐⭐⭐ |
SEOquake (Chrome Extension) | ✅ | Inline dofollow/nofollow detection, SEO metrics overlay | Manual page-by-page analysis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Check My Links (Chrome Extension) | ✅ | Highlights dofollow/nofollow and broken links | On-page link checking while browsing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
What Is a Dofollow Link?
Before we talk about dofollow link checkers, let’s break down the basics.
A Quick SEO Refresher:
- Dofollow links are hyperlinks that pass “link juice” from one website to another.
- These links help search engines understand which content is valuable, giving your site a ranking boost.
- Nofollow links, on the other hand, tell search engines not to follow or assign SEO value to the link.
So, if you’re serious about improving your domain authority, dofollow backlinks are your best friends.
Why You Need a Dofollow Link Checker
Let me ask you something—would you run a business and never check your bank balance? Probably not.
The same goes for SEO. A dofollow checker is like your backlink audit tool—it shows you:
- Which links are helping your SEO
- Which ones are nofollow (and might need replacing)
- Where your strongest backlinks come from
- Opportunities for improvement in your backlink strategy
Whether you’re vetting a new guest post, analyzing a competitor’s backlink profile, or checking your own site, a dofollow link checker gives you instant clarity.
Top Benefits of Using a Dofollow Link Checker
Here’s what a reliable dofollow link checker can help you do:
✅ Quickly identify dofollow vs nofollow links
✅ Monitor backlink quality and source authority
✅ Analyze competitors’ link profiles
✅ Clean up toxic or spammy links
✅ Improve your outreach and link-building strategy
Insert an image of a sample backlink report with dofollow/nofollow status highlighted
Best Dofollow Link Checker Tools in 2025 (Compared)
To make your life easier, here’s a quick comparison of some of the best dofollow checker tools available right now.
Tool | Free Plan Available | Bulk Link Check | Other Features | Ease of Use |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ahrefs | No (Paid only) | ✅ | Full backlink audit, domain analysis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ubersuggest | ✅ | ✅ | SEO audit, keyword tracking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Small SEO Tools | ✅ | ✅ | Quick check for up to 100 links | ⭐⭐⭐ |
SEOquake (Browser Add-on) | ✅ | ❌ | Inline link inspection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Check My Links (Chrome Extension) | ✅ | ❌ | Broken link + nofollow detection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to Use a Dofollow Link Checker (Step-by-Step)
Let’s say you want to check a competitor’s blog to see if they’re giving out dofollow links in guest posts. Here’s how to do it:
Method 1: Manual Check with SEOquake
- Install the SEOquake extension on Chrome.
- Visit the page with the backlink.
- Open the SEOquake overlay and click “Diagnosis.”
- Scroll to the link section—it will tell you whether links are dofollow or nofollow.
Method 2: Bulk Check with Small SEO Tools
- Go to smallseotools.com/dofollow-nofollow-checker
- Paste up to 100 URLs into the checker
- Click “Submit” and review results
- Export or copy data for your link analysis
When to Use a Dofollow Checker in Your SEO Workflow
Here’s when you should absolutely use a dofollow checker:
- 📌 After publishing a guest post: Ensure you received a dofollow link as agreed
- 🔍 During competitor analysis: See which sites are helping them rank
- 🧼 When cleaning up your backlink profile: Identify spammy nofollow links
- 📈 While planning your link building strategy: Focus on high-DA, dofollow opportunities
Common Questions About Dofollow Link Checkers
Do nofollow links hurt my SEO?
Not directly—but they don’t help either. They’re useful for traffic and credibility, but won’t pass authority. That’s why dofollow backlinks matter more for SEO.
Can I turn a nofollow link into a dofollow?
Only the site owner can change link attributes. However, you can politely request a dofollow if the content you provided is high value.
How often should I check my backlinks?
At least once per month—especially if you’re actively running a backlink campaign or publishing guest posts.
1. What is a dofollow link checker?
A dofollow link checker is a tool that helps you identify whether a hyperlink on a webpage is a dofollow or nofollow link. Dofollow links pass SEO value (link juice) from one site to another, boosting search rankings. These tools scan web pages or backlink profiles to determine the link type quickly and accurately.
2. Why should I use a dofollow link checker?
Using a dofollow checker is essential for managing your SEO strategy. It helps you:
- Identify which backlinks are passing authority
- Find nofollow links that might not benefit your rankings
- Evaluate the quality of your backlink profile
- Track the effectiveness of your guest posts and outreach campaigns
Knowing your link types empowers you to focus on building dofollow backlinks that improve your search engine visibility.
3. Are dofollow links better than nofollow links?
Yes, from an SEO perspective, dofollow links are more valuable because they pass ranking power to your site. Nofollow links can still be useful for referral traffic and brand exposure, but they don’t directly contribute to search engine rankings. A good dofollow link checker helps you distinguish between the two.
4. How can I check if a link is dofollow or nofollow?
You can use browser extensions like SEOquake or Check My Links, or web-based tools like Small SEO Tools Dofollow Checker. These tools instantly highlight whether links on a page are dofollow or nofollow, making it easy to analyze your backlinks or a competitor’s link profile.
5. What is the best free dofollow link checker?
Some of the best free dofollow checkers include:
- SEOquake (Chrome extension)
- Check My Links (Chrome extension)
- Small SEO Tools Dofollow Checker
- Ubersuggest (limited free version)
Each tool offers different levels of detail, so choose one based on your specific needs—whether it’s bulk link checking or real-time browser analysis.
6. Can I use a dofollow link checker to analyze competitors?
Absolutely. A dofollow link checker is great for analyzing competitor backlink profiles. Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest allow you to enter a competitor’s domain and view their dofollow backlinks, link sources, and referring domains—providing valuable insights for your own link-building strategy.
7. Do guest post backlinks always come as dofollow?
Not always. Some sites provide nofollow links in guest posts, especially in author bios. That’s why it’s important to confirm link policies beforehand and use a dofollow checker after publishing to ensure your link is passing SEO value. You can politely request a dofollow if the content adds significant value.
8. How do I make sure my backlinks are dofollow?
To ensure your backlinks are dofollow:
- Ask the website owner before submitting a guest post
- Check the link after publication using a dofollow link checker
- Avoid forums or platforms that automatically assign nofollow attributes
- Include your link within the content body—not just in the bio or footer
Verifying link status helps ensure your SEO efforts are paying off.
9. What does a dofollow checker browser extension do?
Browser extensions like SEOquake and Check My Links display real-time link data on any web page you visit. They highlight dofollow and nofollow links in different colors, making them easy to identify at a glance. These tools are especially handy for on-page backlink audits and quick reviews.
10. Can dofollow checkers scan multiple URLs at once?
Yes, tools like Small SEO Tools Dofollow Checker and Ubersuggest allow you to enter multiple URLs to scan for dofollow/nofollow link status. This is useful for bulk backlink audits, especially if you’re managing multiple clients or websites in your SEO workflow.
11. Will nofollow backlinks hurt my rankings?
Nofollow backlinks do not harm your SEO, but they also don’t pass ranking authority. They can still offer benefits like traffic and brand mentions. However, if your backlink profile is full of nofollow links and lacks dofollow backlinks, your search rankings may suffer over time. A dofollow checker helps you maintain the right balance.
12. Can I turn a nofollow link into a dofollow link?
Only the site owner can change the link attribute from nofollow to dofollow. If you’ve published guest content or received a link and notice it’s nofollow, you can request the change—especially if the content is high-quality and informative. Using a dofollow link checker helps you catch these cases early.
13. How often should I check my backlinks?
It’s recommended to check your backlinks at least once a month, especially if you’re actively involved in link-building campaigns. Regular checks using a dofollow checker help you:
- Spot lost or removed links
- Detect nofollow switches
- Monitor new links and assess their SEO value
Staying on top of your backlink profile is critical to maintaining SEO health.
14. Are paid tools better than free dofollow link checkers?
Paid tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz offer deeper backlink insights, such as:
- Domain authority
- Anchor text analysis
- Referring domain history
- Toxic link detection
However, free tools like SEOquake and Small SEO Tools Dofollow Checker are great for quick checks and casual audits. It depends on your SEO goals and budget.
15. Do all dofollow backlinks have the same SEO value?
No. While all dofollow links pass SEO value, some are more valuable than others. Factors that influence backlink power include:
- Domain authority of the linking site
- Topical relevance to your niche
- Placement within content (contextual links are best)
- Anchor text optimization
- Source trustworthiness
Use your dofollow checker to identify these key metrics and prioritize high-quality backlinks over quantity.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your SEO Power
In today’s digital world, knowing which links matter is half the battle. A dofollow link checker is one of the smartest tools you can use to improve your website’s authority and visibility.
You don’t need to be an SEO wizard to use one. Just a little awareness—and the right tools—can completely transform your backlink strategy.
Have you used a dofollow checker before? Which one’s your favorite? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
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