How to Use a Dofollow Link Checker to Boost Your SEO Like a Pro

Introduction

Imagine spending hours crafting the perfect guest post, landing it on a high-authority website, only to discover the link you earned is nofollow—meaning it passes zero SEO value. Ouch, right?

This is where a dofollow link checker becomes your new best friend. It helps you quickly identify whether the links pointing to your website (or placed by you on other websites) are dofollow or nofollow, so you can stop wasting time and start earning backlinks that actually move the SEO needle.

In this guide, we’ll explore what dofollow links are, why they matter, and which dofollow checkers you can use to audit, analyze, and optimize your link profile. Let’s dive in.

What is a Dofollow Link?

Understanding the Basics

A dofollow link is a regular hyperlink that allows search engines like Google to follow it and pass link equity (aka “SEO juice”) to the destination page. It helps with:

• Improving domain authority

• Boosting keyword rankings

• Enhancing visibility in search results

On the other hand, a nofollow link contains a rel="nofollow" tag, instructing search engines to ignore the link for ranking purposes. While nofollow links can still drive traffic, they don’t contribute to your SEO authority.

Why Use a Dofollow Link Checker?

Using a dofollow link checker is crucial if you:

• Want to track backlink quality

• Are building links via outreach, guest posts, or directories

• Need to audit your backlink profile for SEO optimization

• Want to make sure your internal links are passing value correctly

Instead of manually checking HTML for every link (which is exhausting), these tools instantly show you which links are helping your SEO and which are not.

How Does a Dofollow Checker Work?

Most dofollow checkers work by scanning a web page’s source code or backlink profile and identifying the rel attribute of each link. They categorize links as either:

• ✅ Dofollow: Passes SEO value

• ❌ Nofollow: Doesn’t pass SEO value

• 🔗 Sponsored/UCG: Identifies paid links or user-generated content

These tools highlight links visually or organize them in reports for easy filtering and export.

Best Dofollow Link Checker Tools (Free & Paid)

📌 Blog Format Type: Comparison & How-To

Here’s a comparison of the most popular dofollow checker tools, including free and premium options:

Insert an image of SEOquake showing colored dofollow/nofollow links on a live page here.

How to Use a Dofollow Link Checker (Step-by-Step)

Let’s say you want to check dofollow links on a guest post or analyze competitor backlinks. Here’s a simple walkthrough using Moz Link Explorer (though the process is similar across tools):

Step 1: Enter the URL

Paste your website (or competitor’s) URL into the search bar.

Step 2: Go to “Inbound Links”

This tab shows you all external backlinks.

Step 3: Filter by Link Type

Use the filter to display only Dofollow links.

Step 4: Export the Data

Save your results for further analysis or link-building outreach.

Bonus Tip: Use SEOquake on Chrome or Firefox to check any webpage live. It will highlight dofollow links in green and nofollow in red.

When Should You Use a Dofollow Checker?

• 📝 After publishing a guest post

• 📧 After link-building outreach

• 📊 During monthly SEO audits

• 🔍 When spying on competitor link profiles

• 🛠️ After a site migration or redesign

Staying consistent with link checking helps you maintain a healthy, high-impact backlink profile.

Dofollow Links vs Nofollow Links: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Note: Google sometimes uses nofollow links for discovery, but they still don’t count as ranking signals.

How to Get More Dofollow Backlinks

Now that you know how to check dofollow links, here’s how to earn more of them:

• Guest blogging on niche-relevant blogs

• Getting listed in resource or tool directories

• Earning editorial mentions via HARO (Help A Reporter Out)

• Creating high-value content that attracts natural links

• Building partnerships with industry influencers or bloggers

A solid link-building strategy focuses on quality, not just quantity. Use your dofollow link checker to measure results!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Checking Dofollow Links

❌ Relying solely on free tools without checking accuracy
❌ Confusing “dofollow” with “high-quality” (not all dofollow links are good)
❌ Ignoring link context and placement
❌ Failing to monitor links after earning them (some get removed or changed)

Checking link type is just the first step—always evaluate link quality and relevance too.

✅ Top 15 FAQs About Dofollow Link Checker (SEO-Optimized)

1. What is a dofollow link checker?

A dofollow link checker is a tool that scans web pages or backlink profiles to identify whether links are dofollow or nofollow. Dofollow links pass SEO value (link juice), which helps boost your site’s authority and rankings. These tools make it easy to check dofollow links across your site or others’.

2. Why do I need to check dofollow links?

You need to check dofollow links to ensure the backlinks you’re earning are actually helping your SEO. Dofollow links contribute to search engine rankings, while nofollow links don’t pass authority. A dofollow checker helps confirm which links are valuable so you can focus your link-building efforts accordingly.

3. How do I know if a link is dofollow?

You can find out if a link is dofollow by using tools like SEOquake, Moz Link Explorer, or Small SEO Tools dofollow checker. These tools analyze the link’s HTML code and reveal whether it includes a rel="nofollow" attribute. If it doesn’t, it’s a dofollow link.

4. What is the difference between dofollow and nofollow links?

• Dofollow links pass SEO authority to the destination site and influence rankings.

• Nofollow links tell search engines not to pass ranking credit.
  Using a dofollow link checker helps you distinguish between the two, ensuring your SEO efforts target dofollow opportunities.

5. Which is better for SEO: dofollow or nofollow links?

Dofollow links are better for SEO because they transfer link equity and improve rankings. However, nofollow links can still bring traffic and brand exposure. A healthy backlink profile includes a mix of both, but a dofollow checker helps prioritize the links that actually impact your SEO metrics.

6. What tools can I use to check dofollow links for free?

Popular free dofollow link checker tools include:

• SEOquake (browser extension)

• Moz Link Explorer (limited free usage)

• Small SEO Tools – Dofollow Checker

• OpenLinkProfiler
  These tools help you quickly check dofollow links on your site or competitor pages.

7. Can I use a dofollow checker on competitor websites?

Yes, many dofollow link checker tools allow you to analyze competitor sites. For example, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz let you explore competitor backlinks and filter by dofollow links. This is useful for identifying link-building opportunities and replicating successful strategies.

8. How do I check if a guest post backlink is dofollow?

To check dofollow links in a guest post, use a browser extension like SEOquake or NoFollow for Chrome. Visit the guest post URL, and the tool will visually highlight dofollow links in one color and nofollow in another, saving you from manually inspecting the HTML.

9. Do internal links need to be dofollow too?

Yes. By default, internal links (links within your own website) are dofollow and should remain so unless you have a specific reason to nofollow them (e.g., paginated content). Using a dofollow checker can help you identify if any internal links were mistakenly nofollowed.

10. Can a dofollow checker identify broken or redirected links?

While a basic dofollow checker shows link types, many tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush offer enhanced features that also detect:

• Broken links

• Redirects

• Anchor text issues
  This ensures you’re not only checking dofollow status but also verifying link quality and functionality.

11. How often should I check dofollow links?

You should run a dofollow link check at least once a month or after publishing new content, securing guest posts, or completing outreach campaigns. Frequent checks ensure that you’re tracking and maintaining valuable backlinks effectively.

12. Is it possible for dofollow links to turn into nofollow?

Yes, sometimes webmasters update links or change site policies, turning dofollow links into nofollow. This is why periodic audits using a dofollow link checker are important—to catch changes early and take action if needed.

13. What happens if I have too many nofollow links?

Having too many nofollow links isn’t bad, but relying solely on them won’t help your SEO rankings. A balanced profile is best. With a dofollow checker, you can monitor your ratio and focus future link-building efforts on getting more dofollow links.

14. Does Google still crawl nofollow links?

Yes, Google may still crawl nofollow links, but it typically doesn’t pass link equity through them. In some cases, Google treats nofollow links as “hints” rather than strict instructions. That said, dofollow links remain the most valuable for SEO and should be your priority.

15. What’s the best strategy for earning dofollow links?

To earn more dofollow links, consider:

• Guest posting on niche authority blogs

• Creating linkable assets (guides, tools, infographics)

• Building relationships with editors and influencers

• Using platforms like HARO
  Once earned, always verify their value with a dofollow link checker to ensure you’re reaping the SEO benefits.

Conclusion

In the world of SEO, every link counts—but not all links are created equal. With a dofollow link checker, you can quickly spot the links that truly matter and refine your strategy for better performance.

Whether you’re doing link audits, content marketing, or competitive research, understanding which links are passing value is essential to ranking smarter, not harder.

Let’s Hear From You!

Have you used a dofollow checker before? Which tools do you trust the most for link audits?
Drop your favorites or questions in the comments—I’d love to geek out about backlinks with you! 🔗

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