Rel Nofollow Tag Explained: When & How to Use It for SEO
The Complete Guide to the Rel Nofollow Tag: What It Is & How It Works
Introduction
Ever wondered why some links don’t pass SEO value? That’s where the rel nofollow tag comes in. Whether you’re a website owner, blogger, or digital marketer, understanding nofollow link HTML is essential for managing your site’s authority, protecting against spam, and following Google’s guidelines.
In this guide, we’ll break down what the rel nofollow tag is, why it matters, and how to use it effectively to maintain a healthy SEO strategy.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| What is the Rel Nofollow Tag? | An HTML attribute that tells search engines not to pass SEO value to a linked page. |
| Example of a Nofollow Link | <a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Visit Example</a> |
| Why Was It Created? | Introduced by Google in 2005 to prevent link spam and manipulative SEO practices. |
| When to Use the Nofollow Tag? | Paid links, user-generated content (UGC), low-quality/untrusted links, affiliate links, press releases, and guest posts. |
| How to Add Nofollow in HTML? | Manually: Add rel="nofollow" inside <a> tag.WordPress: Use Yoast SEO or Rank Math plugins. |
| Rel Nofollow vs. Other Link Attributes | Nofollow – No SEO value passed. Dofollow – Link equity passed. Sponsored – For paid links. UGC – For user-generated content. |
| Impact on SEO | Prevents ranking manipulation, stops spam links from affecting your site, and helps manage crawl budget. |
| Best Practices | Use for paid & affiliate links, avoid excessive nofollow on internal links, and check links for compliance. |
| How to Check If a Link is Nofollow? | Right-click → Inspect → Look for rel="nofollow" in the HTML. |
| Do Nofollow Links Pass Any SEO Value? | No, but they can drive referral traffic and provide context for search engines. |
| Should Internal Links Be Nofollow? | No, unless the page is low-value or restricted (e.g., login pages). |
| Common Mistakes | Overusing nofollow, not tagging paid links, and failing to update old links. |
| Difference Between Nofollow & Disavow | Nofollow stops SEO value transfer, while Disavow asks Google to ignore harmful backlinks. |
| Does Social Media Use Nofollow? | Yes, most social media platforms automatically apply rel="nofollow" to links. |
| How Long for Nofollow Links to Take Effect? | Google processes them within a few weeks, but they don’t directly impact rankings. |
What is the Rel Nofollow Tag?
The rel nofollow tag is an HTML attribute that tells search engines not to pass link equity (SEO value) to the linked page. This means that search engines will recognize the link but won’t use it for ranking purposes.
Example of a nofollow link in HTML:
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Visit Example</a>Why Was the Rel Nofollow Tag Created?
Google introduced the nofollow tag in 2005 to combat link spam and manipulative SEO link-building strategies. Before its introduction, unethical practices like buying backlinks and mass-comment spam were rampant.
When Should You Use the Nofollow Tag?
Using rel nofollow correctly is crucial for SEO compliance. Here are the main scenarios where you should use it:
1. Paid Links & Sponsored Content
If you are buying or selling links, you must add rel=”nofollow” (or rel=”sponsored”) to comply with Google’s policies.
<a href="https://advertiser.com" rel="nofollow">Check this offer</a>2. User-Generated Content (UGC) & Comments
To prevent spammy comments from hurting your SEO, apply nofollow to user-generated links.
<a href="https://randomuser.com" rel="nofollow">Check my website</a>3. Low-Quality or Untrusted Links
If you must link to an external source but don’t want to endorse it, use nofollow.
4. Affiliate Links
Affiliate marketers should add rel nofollow to outbound links to avoid passing SEO value unnaturally.
<a href="https://affiliatesite.com" rel="nofollow">Buy Now</a>5. Press Releases & Guest Posts
Google advises nofollowing links in press releases and guest posts to prevent link manipulation.
Rel Nofollow vs. Other Link Attributes
To understand nofollow, let’s compare it to other HTML link attributes:
| Attribute | Purpose | SEO Impact |
|---|---|---|
rel="nofollow" | Tells search engines not to pass link equity | No SEO benefit |
rel="dofollow" | Standard link attribute (SEO value passed) | Boosts SEO |
rel="sponsored" | Identifies paid links for transparency | No SEO benefit |
rel="ugc" | Used for user-generated content links | No SEO benefit |
Using the right rel attributes ensures compliance with Google’s guidelines and prevents penalties.
How to Add Nofollow Links in WordPress
For WordPress users, adding nofollow link HTML is easy:
Method 1: Manually in HTML Mode
- Edit your post in Text Mode.
- Locate the
<a>tag. - Add
rel="nofollow"inside the link.
Method 2: Using a WordPress Plugin
- Install Yoast SEO or Rank Math.
- Select the link and check the nofollow box.
Using a plugin makes it easier to apply nofollow to multiple links at once.
How Does the Nofollow Tag Affect SEO?
The rel nofollow tag has several implications for SEO:
1. Prevents Link Manipulation
By adding nofollow to sponsored and affiliate links, Google ensures that rankings aren’t influenced unfairly.
2. Stops Spam Links from Hurting Your Site
If spammy backlinks point to your site, nofollowing them protects you from penalties.
3. Controls Crawl Budget
Search engines crawl fewer nofollow links, helping Google focus on important pages instead.
Best Practices for Using the Rel Nofollow Tag
Follow these tips to use nofollow properly:
✅ Use nofollow for paid links to follow Google’s policies.
✅ Nofollow user-generated content like forum posts and comments.
✅ Don’t overuse nofollow—important internal pages should remain dofollow.
✅ Use nofollow on untrusted links to avoid passing SEO value to spam sites.
FAQs About the Rel Nofollow Tag
1. What happens if I don’t use nofollow on paid links?
Google may penalize your site for violating link-building guidelines, leading to ranking drops.
2. Do nofollow links pass any SEO value?
Nofollow links don’t pass link equity, but they can still drive referral traffic.
3. Can I use nofollow for internal links?
While possible, it’s not recommended because it can impact crawl efficiency.
4. Should I use nofollow for all outbound links?
No! Only paid, untrusted, and UGC links should be nofollow. Valuable outbound links should be dofollow.
5. How do I check if a link is nofollow?
Right-click on a link, select Inspect, and check for rel="nofollow" in the HTML.
6. Does Google ignore nofollow links?
Google doesn’t ignore them entirely—they may still be used for indexing and context.
7. Should affiliate marketers use nofollow?
Yes! Affiliate links should always be nofollow or sponsored to follow Google’s guidelines.
8. Does adding nofollow improve my SEO?
It doesn’t directly improve rankings, but it prevents penalties and spam issues.
9. What’s the difference between nofollow and disavow?
- Nofollow prevents passing link juice.
- Disavow tells Google to ignore harmful backlinks.
10. Should I use nofollow on social media links?
Yes, most social media platforms automatically add nofollow to links.
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the rel nofollow tag, fully optimized for SEO, incorporating all related keywords. The total word count is approximately 1000 words.
1. What is the rel nofollow tag in HTML?
The rel nofollow tag is an HTML attribute that tells search engines not to pass SEO value to the linked page. This means that while search engines will recognize the link, they won’t use it for ranking purposes.
Example of a nofollow link HTML code:
2. Why is the rel nofollow tag important for SEO?
The rel nofollow tag helps control link equity (SEO value) and prevents ranking manipulation. It is crucial for:
- Preventing spammy links from affecting a website’s credibility.
- Complying with Google’s guidelines for paid links.
- Controlling the crawl budget, so search engines focus on important pages.
- Avoiding penalties for unnatural link-building practices.
3. How do I add a nofollow link in HTML?
Adding a nofollow link in HTML is simple. Just insert the rel="nofollow" attribute inside the <a> tag, like this:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Visit Example</a>
This tells search engines not to pass link juice to the destination URL.
4. When should I use the rel nofollow tag?
You should use nofollow link HTML in the following situations:
- Paid links and sponsored content to comply with Google’s guidelines.
- User-generated content (UGC) such as forum posts or blog comments to prevent spam.
- Affiliate links to avoid passing SEO value unnaturally.
- Press releases & guest posts where links should not affect rankings.
- Untrusted or low-quality sites to avoid association with spammy websites.
5. What is the difference between nofollow, dofollow, sponsored, and UGC links?
Here’s a comparison of different HTML link attributes:
| Attribute | Purpose | SEO Impact |
|---|---|---|
rel="nofollow" | Tells search engines not to pass link juice | No SEO benefit |
rel="dofollow" | Standard link attribute (SEO value passed) | Boosts SEO |
rel="sponsored" | Identifies paid links for transparency | No SEO benefit |
rel="ugc" | Used for user-generated content links | No SEO benefit |
Using the correct link attributes ensures that your site follows Google’s ranking guidelines.
6. Do nofollow links pass any SEO value?
No, nofollow links do not pass SEO value or link equity. However, they still offer indirect SEO benefits, such as:
- Driving referral traffic from high-traffic websites.
- Providing brand visibility even if they don’t influence rankings.
- Helping search engines discover new pages even if link juice isn’t passed.
7. How can I check if a link is nofollow?
To check if a link is nofollow, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the link and select Inspect (Google Chrome).
- Look for the
<a>tag in the HTML code. - If you see
rel="nofollow", the link is nofollow.
You can also use browser extensions like MozBar or Ahrefs SEO Toolbar to detect nofollow links automatically.
8. Should internal links be nofollow?
Generally, internal links should NOT be nofollow, as they help distribute SEO value across your site. However, in some cases, nofollowing internal links makes sense, such as:
- Login pages or admin panels that don’t need indexing.
- Duplicate content that you don’t want Google to crawl.
- Internal promotional pages that are not meant for ranking.
9. What happens if I don’t use nofollow for paid links?
If you don’t add rel=”nofollow” or rel=”sponsored” to paid links, Google may consider them unnatural backlinks, leading to:
- Manual penalties, affecting your site’s rankings.
- Devaluation of your site’s authority if Google detects excessive link manipulation.
To stay compliant, always use nofollow or sponsored attributes for paid links.
10. Does Google ignore nofollow links?
Google does not completely ignore nofollow links. While they don’t pass link juice, Google may still use them for indexing and context, helping it understand the relationship between web pages.
11. How long does it take for a nofollow tag to take effect?
Once you add the nofollow tag, it usually takes a few weeks for Google to process the change. You can speed up indexing by submitting your page in Google Search Console.
12. Should I nofollow all outbound links?
No, not all outbound links should be nofollow. Only use nofollow when:
- The link is paid or sponsored.
- The site is untrusted or low-quality.
- The content is user-generated and could be spammy.
For high-quality, relevant outbound links, keep them dofollow to help with SEO.
13. Can I remove a nofollow tag later?
Yes, you can remove a nofollow tag at any time by deleting rel="nofollow" from the HTML. If a nofollow link later becomes valuable for SEO, consider changing it to dofollow.
14. Do social media platforms use nofollow links?
Yes, most social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) automatically nofollow external links. This prevents them from passing SEO value but still helps with brand visibility and traffic.
15. Is the nofollow tag necessary for SEO?
Yes! The rel nofollow tag is essential for a strong SEO strategy. It helps:
- Prevent penalties from Google’s algorithm.
- Protect against spammy backlinks and link manipulation.
- Maintain a balanced link profile for better rankings.
Conclusion
Understanding the rel nofollow tag is essential for SEO best practices. It helps control link equity, prevent spam penalties, and maintain a clean backlink profile.
By using nofollow link HTML correctly, you can protect your website while ensuring compliance with Google’s ranking guidelines.
🚀 Have you used the nofollow tag on your website? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
