# Follow vs Nofollow Links: Understanding Link Attributes

Learn the difference between follow and nofollow links, when to use each, and how different link attributes affect SEO and link equity.

Canonical: https://backlinkgrid.com/glossary/follow-vs-nofollow


**Follow vs nofollow** refers to whether a link passes SEO value (PageRank) to the linked page. Follow links (default) pass equity, while nofollow links (rel="nofollow") tell search engines not to follow or count the link for ranking purposes.

## Understanding Link Attributes

### Default (Follow/Dofollow)

**Standard links**:
- No special attribute needed
- Pass link equity
- Count for rankings
- Default browser behavior

### Nofollow

**rel="nofollow"**:
- Tells search engines not to follow
- Originally passed no equity
- Now treated as a "hint"
- Used for untrusted links

### Sponsored

**rel="sponsored"**:
- Identifies paid links
- Required for advertisements
- Introduced in 2019
- Clearer than nofollow alone

### UGC (User Generated Content)

**rel="ugc"**:
- For user-created links
- Comments, forum posts
- Introduced in 2019
- Signals content source

---

## How Link Attributes Work

### In HTML

**Examples**:
```html
<!-- Follow (default) -->
<a href="https://example.com">Link</a>

<!-- Nofollow -->
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Link</a>

<!-- Sponsored -->
<a href="https://example.com" rel="sponsored">Link</a>

<!-- UGC -->
<a href="https://example.com" rel="ugc">Link</a>

<!-- Combined -->
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow sponsored">Link</a>
```

---

## When to Use Each Attribute

### Use Follow (Default) When

**Appropriate for**:
- Editorial links you endorse
- Natural content references
- Trusted sources
- Links you vouch for

### Use Nofollow When

**Appropriate for**:
- Links you can't vouch for
- Uncertain quality links
- Potentially manipulative links
- Any link you don't endorse

### Use Sponsored When

**Required for**:
- Paid placements
- Advertisements
- Sponsored content
- Affiliate links
- Any paid arrangement

### Use UGC When

**Appropriate for**:
- User comments
- Forum posts
- User profiles
- User-generated content

For implementation guidance, see our detailed [UGC link attribute guide](/glossary/ugc-link).

---

## Google's Treatment

### Pre-2019

**Original behavior**:
- Nofollow = no PageRank passed
- Nofollow = not followed/indexed
- Binary interpretation

### Post-2019

**Current behavior**:
- All attributes treated as "hints"
- Google may still follow/crawl
- May still pass some signals
- More nuanced approach

### Why the Change

**Google's reasoning**:
- Learn from all links
- Not waste useful signals
- Better understand link graph
- Reduce spam effectiveness

---

## Impact on Link Building

### Dofollow Links

**SEO value**:
- Pass link equity
- Contribute to rankings
- Most valuable for SEO
- What link builders target

### Nofollow Links

**SEO value**:
- Traditionally no direct value
- May still pass some signals
- Still provide traffic
- Brand exposure value

---

## Checking Link Attributes

### Browser Methods

**Right-click → Inspect**:
- View page source
- Find the link
- Check rel attribute

### Tools

**Helpful extensions**:
- NoFollow extension (Chrome)
- MozBar
- Ahrefs toolbar
- Various SEO extensions

### Bulk Analysis

**For many links**:
- Ahrefs backlink reports
- Semrush backlink data
- Moz link reports
- Shows follow/nofollow

---

## Common Questions

### Do nofollow links have value?

Yes, beyond SEO: traffic, brand exposure, and Google now treats them as hints that may pass some signals.

### Should I only build dofollow links?

No. A natural profile has both. Nofollow from quality sites still provides value. Focus on quality, not just attributes.

### Can I make my links nofollow?

Yes, you control your outbound links. Add rel="nofollow" to any link you don't want to endorse.

### Does Google always respect nofollow?

Since 2019, nofollow is a "hint" not a directive. Google may still follow and may pass some value.

---

## Best Practices

### For Your Outbound Links

**Use appropriate attributes**:
- Default for trusted, editorial links
- Nofollow for uncertain quality
- Sponsored for paid links
- UGC for user content

### For Link Building

**Focus on**:
- Quality over attribute obsession
- Natural mix of follow/nofollow
- Building real value
- Not gaming attributes

---

## Summary

Link attributes tell search engines how to treat links:

**Types**:
- Follow (default): Passes equity
- Nofollow: Originally no equity
- Sponsored: Paid links
- UGC: User content

**Current reality**:
- All treated as "hints"
- May still pass some value
- Follow still most valuable
- Natural mix is normal

**Best practices**:
- Use appropriate attributes
- Don't obsess over attributes
- Focus on link quality
- Accept natural mix

Understanding link attributes helps both link building and proper attribution.

---

## Related Terms

- [Dofollow Link](/glossary/dofollow-link)
- [Nofollow Link](/glossary/nofollow-link)
- [Sponsored Link](/glossary/sponsored-link)
- [UGC Link](/glossary/ugc-link)