In the vast realm of search engine optimization (SEO), one of the most fundamental concepts is understanding how links work. Links play a pivotal role in improving a website’s authority and visibility in search engines. But not all links are created equal, and two specific types of links—dofollow and nofollow—serve distinct purposes in the digital landscape. If you’re looking to fine-tune your website’s SEO strategy, one of the first things you need to do is understand how to distinguish between these two types of links.
You might be wondering, How can I check if a link on a website is dofollow or nofollow? It’s a common question for anyone working with SEO, digital marketing, or web development. Fortunately, it’s easier than you might think! In this article, we’ll explore several methods to help you check whether a link is nofollow or dofollow.
What Are Dofollow and Nofollow Links?
Before diving into how to check whether a link is dofollow or nofollow, it’s important to understand what these terms actually mean. Understanding the difference is key to why it matters when analyzing backlinks, creating content, or even building your own website.
Dofollow Links
Dofollow links are the standard type of links you will encounter on the internet. When a webpage includes a dofollow link, it means that search engines like Google will follow the link and pass authority (also known as “link juice”) from the referring page to the destination page. This is a key component of SEO because dofollow links contribute to a page’s search engine ranking.
In simple terms, when you create a dofollow link to a website, you’re essentially telling search engines, “Hey, this is a valuable link, and I trust this content enough to pass on some SEO authority.” Websites with a large number of quality dofollow links often perform well in search engine results pages (SERPs), as these links serve as endorsements.
Nofollow Links
Nofollow links, on the other hand, are different. When a link is nofollow, search engines are instructed not to pass any authority from the linking page to the target page. This means that the destination page will not receive any SEO benefit from the nofollow link. Instead, nofollow links serve more as a means of directing traffic without influencing search engine rankings.
The nofollow attribute was introduced by Google to combat spammy link-building practices. For example, if a website is linking to another website without fully endorsing it (such as in comments, forums, or user-generated content), it can use the nofollow tag to prevent the search engine from associating any SEO benefit with the link.
Example of a Nofollow Link:
<a href="https://www.example.com" rel="nofollow">Click here</a>
By contrast, a dofollow link typically does not have the rel=”nofollow” attribute. When a link lacks this attribute, it is assumed to be dofollow by default.
Example of a Dofollow Link:
<a href="https://www.example.com">Click here</a>
As you can see, the difference is subtle but important. Now, let’s dive into how you can check whether a link is dofollow or nofollow.
1. Inspecting the HTML Code
The most straightforward and hands-on way to check whether a link is nofollow or dofollow is by inspecting the HTML code of the webpage. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a coding expert to do this! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you inspect the code in any modern browser.
How to Check a Link’s Status in HTML:
- Right-click on the link: On the webpage where you want to check the link, right-click on the link you’re interested in. A context menu will appear.
- Select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”: From the context menu, select “Inspect” (in Chrome) or “Inspect Element” (in Firefox and Edge). This action opens the browser’s developer tools and highlights the link in the page’s HTML code.
- Locate the <a> tag: In the developer tools panel, look for the <a> tag, which represents the anchor (link). The anchor tag will look something like this:
<a href="https://www.example.com">Click here</a> - Look for the rel=”nofollow” attribute: If the link is a nofollow link, you’ll see the rel=”nofollow” attribute inside the anchor tag:
<a href="https://www.example.com" rel="nofollow">Click here</a>
If the rel attribute is missing or doesn’t contain “nofollow,” the link is a dofollow link. For instance:
<a href="https://www.example.com">Click here</a>
This method is helpful because it allows you to visually check whether a specific link has the nofollow or dofollow attribute. It’s especially useful for analyzing individual links as you browse a webpage.
2. Using Link Checker Tools
If you have a webpage with many links and you want to check them all at once, manually inspecting each one can be time-consuming. Fortunately, several online tools make the process much easier by automatically scanning a webpage and categorizing the links for you.
Popular Online Link Checker Tools:
- SERPninja’s Bulk Dofollow/Nofollow Checker
This tool is designed for analyzing a large number of external links on a webpage. You can enter a URL, and the tool will generate a detailed report showing which links are dofollow and which are nofollow. It’s ideal for anyone looking to check multiple links in one go.
Try it here - Gridhooks Dofollow Link Checker Tool
Similar to SERPninja’s tool, Gridhooks offers a free service that scans webpages for dofollow and nofollow links. It also provides the anchor text associated with each link, which can be helpful for understanding the link context.
Try it here - Link Publishers’ Dofollow and Nofollow Link Checker
Another great tool for analyzing the links on a webpage, Link Publishers offers a straightforward tool that checks for dofollow and nofollow links. It’s simple to use and gives a quick overview of the link status on a page.
Try it here
Browser Extensions:
For those who prefer not to leave the browser to check link status, there are also several browser extensions that automatically detect dofollow and nofollow links on a webpage.
- Follow Nofollow Link Checker (Chrome Extension)
This Chrome extension visually highlights dofollow and nofollow links as you browse any webpage. It’s a great tool for quick, on-the-fly checks.
Try it here
Extensions like this make it even easier to keep track of the links you’re working with, without needing to dive into the HTML code or use external tools.
3. Using Backlink Analysis Tools
For website owners, SEO professionals, or marketers working with large sets of backlinks, backlink analysis tools are invaluable. These tools offer a more comprehensive analysis, including dofollow vs. nofollow status for all backlinks pointing to your website.
Popular Backlink Analysis Tools:
- Ahrefs
Ahrefs is one of the best backlink analysis tools available. It provides detailed reports on the backlinks of any webpage, including the dofollow and nofollow status of each link. By using Ahrefs, you can monitor your website’s link profile, identify valuable backlinks, and spot any harmful nofollow links that might be reducing your site’s authority.
Try it here - Moz Link Explorer
Moz’s Link Explorer allows you to see the backlinks pointing to your site, along with their status as dofollow or nofollow. It’s an excellent tool for monitoring link-building campaigns, analyzing competitors, and improving your overall SEO strategy.
Try it here
These tools are especially helpful if you are monitoring multiple websites or working on a larger SEO strategy. They provide detailed insights, including how many dofollow vs. nofollow links a site has, and the quality of those links.
Why Do the Follow Status of Links Matter?
Understanding whether a link is dofollow or nofollow isn’t just about being able to spot the difference—it’s about knowing how these links impact your SEO efforts.
1. Dofollow Links Are Crucial for SEO
Dofollow links are a key component of SEO because they help search engines discover and rank content. When you get high-quality dofollow links from authoritative websites, it signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and worth ranking higher. Dofollow links are essentially votes of confidence that boost your website’s visibility in search engine results.
2. Nofollow Links Are Still Useful for Traffic
Although nofollow links do not pass link equity, they still have value. Nofollow links can drive traffic to your website, especially when they come from high-traffic websites, forums, or social media platforms. Additionally, nofollow links help create a natural backlink profile that doesn’t appear manipulative to search engines. A mix of dofollow and nofollow links is ideal for a balanced and effective SEO strategy.
3. Diversity in Link Profiles is Important
Search engines, especially Google, are looking for natural link profiles. If all your backlinks are dofollow, it can look suspicious and may raise red flags for search engines. By incorporating nofollow links into your link-building strategy, you are ensuring that your website’s link profile looks natural and credible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding how to check whether a link is nofollow or dofollow is an essential part of SEO. Knowing which links pass SEO value and which don’t can help you make more informed decisions when building your link profile. Whether you’re using the browser’s developer tools to inspect individual links, utilizing online link checker tools for quick assessments, or conducting in-depth backlink analysis with tools like Ahrefs or Moz, there are many ways to keep track of your website’s links.
Remember, dofollow links contribute to search engine rankings, while nofollow links still have value in terms of traffic and a well-rounded link profile. A combination of both types of links will help ensure that your website is on the right track for SEO success.
So, start implementing these methods today, and take control of your website’s link-building strategy!
