What are Nofollow Links?A nofollow link is a hyperlink that includes the rel=nofollow attribute in its HTML code, which signals to search engines not to follow the link for PageRank purposes and not to pass link authority (link juice) to the linked page. Nofollow was introduced by Google in 2005 as a way to
What are Nofollow Links?
A nofollow link is a hyperlink that includes the rel=nofollow attribute in its HTML code, which signals to search engines not to follow the link for PageRank purposes and not to pass link authority (link juice) to the linked page. Nofollow was introduced by Google in 2005 as a way to combat blog comment spam and indicate editorially non-endorsed links. Common sources of nofollow links include Wikipedia external links, most social media platforms, many news site article links, sponsored and advertising links, and user-generated content on forums and review sites.
Do Nofollow Links Have SEO Value?
Google changed its nofollow policy in 2019, converting nofollow from a directive (must be ignored) to a hint (may be used to inform crawling and indexing decisions). In practice, nofollow links from highly authoritative sources may carry some indirect SEO value: they drive referral traffic, build brand awareness, and Google may use them to better understand your content context even without passing PageRank. A link from Wikipedia or Reddit, while nofollow, provides real business value beyond pure PageRank transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pursue nofollow links in my SaaS link building strategy?
Yes, selectively. While nofollow links do not directly pass PageRank, they contribute to a natural, diverse link profile, drive referral traffic from authoritative sources, and may have indirect ranking benefits. Prioritize dofollow links from editorial, authoritative sources in your industry. Do not ignore high-quality nofollow opportunities (G2 reviews, Wikipedia mentions, major press coverage) as they serve brand authority, traffic, and trust signals beyond pure SEO value.
What is the difference between nofollow, sponsored, and UGC link attributes?
In 2019, Google introduced two new link attributes alongside nofollow: rel=sponsored (for paid/advertising links) and rel=ugc (for user-generated content like forum posts and comments). All three instruct Google not to pass PageRank from the linking page. Sponsored must be used on all paid placements; Google can algorithmically detect and penalize paid links not marked sponsored. Using the correct attribute type reflects honest editorial practices and reduces penalty risk for paid amplification campaigns.