Do Nofollow Links Help SEO?
Nofollow links used to be written off as worthless for SEO. That is out of date. Since Google started treating nofollow as a hint rather than a strict rule, these links can help in real ways, just not by passing authority directly. Here is what nofollow links actually do plus why you should not turn them down.
Yes, nofollow links do help SEO, just not in the direct way dofollow links do. A nofollow link carries a tag that tells search engines not to pass full ranking authority. Since 2020 though, Google treats nofollow as a hint it can choose to count, not a hard rule. On top of that, nofollow links bring referral traffic, build brand visibility plus keep your link profile looking natural. An all-dofollow profile actually looks suspicious. The smart move is to earn good links plus not worry about the tag.
A hint, not a dead end
The big change
Google began treating nofollow as a hint, not a strict rule.
Not a directive
Google can choose to count a nofollow link or ignore it.
Looks natural
A healthy profile has both nofollow and dofollow links.
Do nofollow links help SEO?
The old advice was to ignore nofollow links entirely. That thinking is years out of date, plus it leaves real value on the table. Here is the up to date picture.
What a nofollow link is
A nofollow link is an ordinary link with a small piece of code, rel=nofollow, attached. It tells search engines that the linking site is not fully vouching for the destination, so it should not pass full ranking authority. Nofollow was introduced back in 2005 to fight comment spam. There are also related tags, rel=sponsored for paid links plus rel=ugc for user-generated content, which work in a similar way.
The shift from rule to hint
The big change came in 2019 and 2020. Google announced it would treat nofollow as a hint rather than a strict directive. In plain terms, that means Google can now choose to consider a nofollow link for ranking or to ignore it, depending on the context. It no longer blanket-ignores them. So a high-quality nofollow link from a trusted site is not the dead end it once was.
The real benefits of nofollow links
Even setting rankings aside, nofollow links earn their place. A nofollow link from a busy, relevant site can send genuine referral traffic, the kind that turns into enquiries. It puts your brand in front of new readers, which builds awareness plus recognition. It can also help search engines discover plus index new pages. These are real wins that have nothing to do with passing authority.
Why a natural profile needs both
Here is a point many people miss. If every single link pointing to your site is dofollow, that looks unnatural to Google, because real websites earn a messy mix. Comments, forums, social posts plus many news sites use nofollow by default. A healthy profile naturally contains both, so a share of nofollow links is a sign of genuine, organic growth rather than something to avoid.
What this means for your strategy
The takeaway is simple: do not chase the tag, chase good links. Earn mentions from places your audience actually reads plus let the nofollow or dofollow attribute sort itself out on the linking side. Never turn down a quality nofollow link from a trusted, relevant site. Our Backlink Services team earns links on merit, not on the attribute, plus the wider strategy is in The Complete Guide to Backlink Building. For the basics see What are Backlinks, plus How to Get Backlinks covers earning them in practice. How many types of link building in SEO gives the bigger map of link types.
Three reasons nofollow links matter
Now a hint, not a rule
Since 2020 Google can choose to count a nofollow link rather than ignore it. The attribute is no longer a hard dead end.
Real referral traffic
A nofollow link from a busy, relevant page sends genuine visitors plus brand exposure, with no need to pass authority.
Keeps you natural
A profile of only dofollow links looks unnatural. A healthy mix including nofollow signals genuine, organic growth.
What nofollow links do for you
Nofollow links work across four areas, none of which depend on passing authority. Together they make these links well worth earning.
Do nofollow links help?
The quick answer
Why nofollow helps
vs the old myth
Why nofollow helps
- Treated as a hint now
- Sends referral traffic
- Builds brand visibility
- Keeps your profile natural
- Helps page discovery
What people get wrong
- Nofollow is worthless
- Always ignored by Google
- Never worth earning
- Only dofollow matters
- Hurts your SEO
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