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What should you know about no-follow links?

Written by Yliely Daniela Castillo on . Posted in Category: SEO.

enlaces no follow
In SEO, links play a critical role in determining a website’s authority and relevance. But not all links are created equal. Today we’ll talk about no-follow links, a type of link that, while it doesn’t convey direct SEO authority, is still crucial in any web optimization strategy.

What Are No Follow Links?

A no-follow link is a type of HTML link that includes the rel="nofollow". Este atributo le indica a los motores de búsqueda, como Google, que no sigan ese enlace ni pasen “link juice” o autoridad de una página a otra. En términos más sencillos, estos enlaces no afectan directamente al ranking de SEO de la página a la que apuntan. Fueron introducidos por Google en 2005 para combatir el spam, pero desde entonces, su uso ha evolucionado significativamente.

What is the Function of No Follow Links?

The main function of no-follow links is to help website owners control where their authority flows and protect themselves from potential penalties. Here are some of its key features:

  • Avoiding spam in blog comments: One of the original reasons for the creation of no-follow links was to curb spam in the comment sections of blogs, where many tried to include links to gain authority in an unethical way.
  • Protect your page from harmful links: If you link to a site that is unreliable or of low quality, you can damage your own link profile. Using a no-follow link allows you to link to those sites without compromising the authority of your page.
  • Controlling PageRank Transmission: In the world of SEO, PageRank is a measure of the importance of a page based on the quantity and quality of inbound links. Using no follow allows you to manage the PageRank flow strategically.

Are No Follow Links Important in SEO?

While no-follow links don’t pass authority directly from page to page, their SEO value is broader than it seems. They should not be ignored in an effective linking strategy. Here are some reasons why they are important:

  1. They bring diversity to the link profile: Google and other search engines value a diverse link profile, including both do follow and no follow links. A balanced link profile, which mixes both types, is considered more natural and less suspicious of manipulation.
  2. They help avoid penalties: If you consistently link to unreliable or paid sites without using no follow, you could be penalized by Google. Using no follow in these cases protects you from that risk.
  3. They drive traffic without compromising authority: Even though a no-follow link doesn’t pass SEO authority, it’s still a link. By linking to relevant content, you can get quality traffic without compromising your site’s authority.

When should you use no follow links?

Knowing when to apply no-follow links is key to maintaining a healthy SEO strategy. Here are some situations in which you should consider using them:

Blog Comments

If you allow comments on your site, any links on them should be marked as no follow to prevent spammers from profiting from them.

Paid or sponsored links

Google requires paid or sponsored links to include the no follow attribute. This prevents brands or businesses from trying to improve their SEO through link buying practices.

Links to unreliable sites

If you must link to a website that you don’t consider safe or high-quality, it’s best to do so with a no-follow link to protect your page’s authority.

User-generated content

If you have a platform where users can generate content and share links, it’s critical to mark these links as no follow to avoid being penalized for spam.

Examples of Using No Follow Links

Here are some practical examples of how no follow links are implemented:

  • Blog comments: <a href="https://www.ejemplo.com" rel="nofollow">Este es un enlace no follow</a>. This way, search engines will know not to transfer authority to the linked page.
  • Sponsored Links: If you have a sponsored or paid post, you must implement the following code: <a href="https://www.patrocinador.com" rel="nofollow">Enlace patrocinado</a>.

No Follow Links vs. Do Follow Links

There are two main types of links: do follow and no follow. Here’s the key difference between them:

  • Do Follow Links: These are the standard links that transfer authority and can help improve the search engine rankings of the site they point to.
  • No Follow Links: These don’t transfer direct SEO authority, which means they don’t directly contribute to landing page rankings.

When to Use Each Link Type?

The use of do follow and no follow links depends on the situation:

  • Do Follow Links: Use them when you want to pass authority to reliable, high-quality pages. They’re great for building trusting relationships and helping other sites improve their SEO.
  • No Follow Links: Use them when you want to link to content that isn’t directly related to your SEO strategy or when linking to sites of dubious reputation. They are also essential in paid or sponsored links.

Maintain balance in your link strategy

No-follow links are a must-have tool in any SEO strategy. They bring flexibility to the link profile and protect you from potential penalties. However, they should not be used indiscriminately. A healthy link profile includes both do follow and no follow links, achieving a balance that benefits your search engine rankings in the long run. By understanding when and how to use no-follow links, you’ll be in a better position to protect your site’s authority, drive quality traffic, and at the same time avoid potential penalties from Google. Always remember to do an analysis of the sites you link to and the strategy you are applying to maximize your SEO results. In this way, you will achieve greater effectiveness in building a solid and balanced link profile.