A dofollow link passes ranking credit; a nofollow link tells Google not to. Both still send visitors.
The difference is a small piece of code on the link. A healthy backlink profile naturally has a mix of both.
Scroll sideways to see all columns.
| Aspect | Dofollow | Nofollow |
|---|---|---|
| Passes ranking credit | Yes | No (a hint) |
| Sends traffic | Yes | Yes |
| Common on | Editorial links | Ads, comments, UGC |
| SEO value | Direct | Indirect (brand, referral) |
Which to chase
- Prioritise dofollow editorial links from trusted sites.
- Do not dismiss nofollow. It still drives traffic and brand signals.
- Keep it natural. An all-dofollow profile looks bought.
The takeaway: Chase dofollow editorial links, but welcome nofollow too. A natural profile has both, and both send real visitors.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, dofollow or nofollow?
Dofollow passes ranking credit, so it carries more direct SEO value. But a natural profile has both, and nofollow links still drive traffic and brand.
Should all my backlinks be dofollow?
No. An all-dofollow profile looks unnatural and bought. A healthy mix of follow and nofollow from varied sources is what Google expects.
Does Google ignore nofollow links completely?
Not entirely. Google now treats nofollow as a hint rather than a strict rule, so some can carry indirect value beyond the traffic they send.