Story Based Question
Let’s say you’re running a tech blog that reviews the latest gadgets. One day, you discover that a leading tech site has linked to your post about the “Best Wireless Earbuds for 2024.” Excited, you check the source, only to find that the link has a “nofollow” tag. You’re disappointed, thinking it’s useless for SEO. But later, you notice an increase in traffic and new backlinks from other sites. It makes you wonder—how exactly do nofollow links impact SEO?
Exact Answer
Nofollow links don’t directly pass SEO value or link juice to your site, but they still contribute to SEO indirectly by driving traffic, increasing brand visibility, and diversifying your backlink profile.
Explanation
Nofollow links might not carry the same weight as dofollow links in terms of rankings, but they serve a broader purpose in your SEO strategy. Here’s how:
1. Driving Referral Traffic
Nofollow links can still be clicked by users, driving traffic to your site. If a high-traffic website includes a nofollow link to your page, it can lead to significant visits. This traffic may result in engagement, shares, or even sales.
2. Building Brand Awareness
When a reputable site mentions your content, even with a nofollow link, it can expose your brand to a wider audience. This visibility can establish your authority in your niche.
3. Encouraging Natural Backlinks
Referral traffic from nofollow links often leads to natural backlinks. For instance, someone who discovers your content through a nofollow link might link back to it from their blog—this time using a dofollow link.
4. Creating a Balanced Backlink Profile
Search engines favor a natural backlink profile, which includes a mix of dofollow and nofollow links. If all your backlinks are dofollow, it might appear manipulative, increasing the risk of penalties. Nofollow links help maintain balance.
In the story above, the nofollow link from the leading tech site may not directly improve your rankings, but the exposure and traffic it generates can lead to long-term SEO benefits.
Example
Scenario: High-Authority Nofollow Link
A site like TechRadar includes a nofollow link to your article, “Best Wireless Earbuds for 2024.” While it doesn’t pass link juice:
- Thousands of visitors click on the link, increasing your referral traffic.
- Some of these visitors share your post on social media, amplifying its reach.
- Other smaller bloggers discover your content and link back with dofollow links.
Results After a Month:
- Your site receives a 20% increase in traffic.
- Your article earns five new dofollow backlinks from smaller blogs.
- You notice improved rankings for keywords like “wireless earbuds 2024.”