A nofollow link is a link with a tag that tells search engines not to pass ranking credit to the destination.
It uses rel="nofollow" (or "sponsored" / "ugc"). Google now treats these as a hint rather than a strict rule. They still send real visitors and still build awareness.
Simply put: A link that says "I am pointing here, but I am not vouching for it."
Where you see them
- Paid placements. Sponsored links and ads are tagged nofollow.
- User content. Comments, forums and profiles, to deter spam.
- Big publishers. Many large sites nofollow most outbound links.
Where it helps
- Less direct value. They pass little to no ranking signal.
- Still useful. They drive traffic, brand and referral clicks.
- Natural mix. A real backlink profile has both follow and nofollow.
Frequently asked questions
Do nofollow links help SEO?
Not directly for rankings, since they pass little to no credit. But they still drive traffic and brand awareness, and a natural profile has both kinds.
When should I use nofollow?
On paid or sponsored links, and on user-generated content like comments. It tells Google you are not vouching for the destination.
Is a nofollow link worthless?
No. It can send real visitors and referral clicks, and Google now treats nofollow as a hint, so some still carry indirect value.