Any link that is not explicitly set as NoFollow is a DoFollow link. This assignment states that the search engine algorithm should follow a link and evaluate its content. The contents of website B to which website A was linked, are then used by the search engine algorithm as a criterion for the ranking of both websites. NoFollow, in turn, gives search engines the signal not to follow the content. When there is a link from website A to website B, Google and Co. do not rate the content there, which means that linked content is not included in the ranking of both websites. A link with NoFollow must contain a separate attribute. This can be set quite easily by website operators even without programming knowledge: To check whether a link is DoFollow or NoFollow, all that is needed is to right-click on the link on third-party websites and select "Investigate" in the options. The day is displayed. Whenever NoFollow is not mentioned, it is a DoFollow link. Dealing with different search engines with the No Follow attribute In addition to Google, there are many other search engines with a lower global market share, for which websites are also optimized.
This is the commonality that all search engines had until recently: NoFollow did not contribute to the evaluation of the ranking. With some drawbacks, the search engines still have this in common; with cutbacks, because a lot has changed at Google since the 2009 update. With the algorithm update form 2019, Google changed the way it handles the no-follow attribute. Starting on March 2nd, 2020, Google's algorithm uses the NoFollow links as indications for the crawling and indexing of content. An increasing influence of the No Follow links on the SEO ranking can also be expected with Google. The update does not change the recommended procedures for using NoFollow and DoFollow compared to earlier. In addition, Google introduced two new attributes: rel = ”sponsored” and rel = ”ugc”. The former stands for links that are paid or sponsored, including affiliate links, for example. The latter is used in connection with the "user-generated content" (content generated by users), as it is z. B. is the case with backlinks from forums or posts.
Whether, when, and how these new attributes can be used, can be derived from the following sections with tips for action on NoFollow and DoFollow.When is a NoFollow link recommended? Basically, every website is advised to use links with the NoFollow property. Because a website with a flawless backlink profile and only DoFollow backlinks may not have a natural effect on the algorithm. How the effects of a website with a noticeably strong backlink profile on the ranking are uncertain, which is why NoFollow links are occasionally recommended. The integration of NoFollow links is to be assessed as practical in that there are several areas of application in which NoFollow is advantageous: Purchase or renting backlinks from forums, Comments, and communities Request to withhold the link connection If a backlink is bought from another website or rented for a regular fee, this violates Google's regulations. The same applies to the link exchange, in which two website operators give each other backlinks.
The Google algorithm in particular is tracking down these practices more and more frequently. In particular, with a backlink from a website that deviates thematically strongly from their own website, operators must expect the ranking to be penalized. If backlinks are acquired from thematically congruent pages, the Google algorithm seldom notices this. For every backlink that was obtained through a prohibited practice and appears suspicious due to the lack of a thematic connection to the partner website, A NoFollow link is therefore advisable. As a result, the search engine does not visit the website that is linked to, and the risk of penalties is spared.NoFollow Link in forums, comments and communities days when the content of forums, comments, and communities ranked high on Google are over. Almost ten years ago, content from portals such as “GuteFrage.net” was sporadically at the top of the search results, but today the picture has changed fundamentally: The content from forums and other websites on which users make entries is becoming increasingly less important. Since any user can create any posts and the correctness of the content is uncertain, the search engine algorithms classify these pages as less relevant.
In the course of search engine optimization, website operators still have to commission individual people to write their own opinions in forums and comments on blog posts and to link them to the website. This way, a backlink is obtained in a simple way. The crux of this approach is that the search engine algorithms do not rate these backlinks as high or even as spam. For this reason, a link with NoFollow is the ideal intermediate way to get the advantages of forums with regard to SEO and bypass the disadvantages. This is because visitors to forums are redirected to their own website via the link, but the search engine is not. Avoid connecting to the link with No Follow In addition to the two scenarios mentioned, a link with No Follow is always recommended if for any reason the connection to the link is not desired. Various intentions are possible, depending on the operator of the website, his business concept, and the type of text.
Furthermore, NoFollow is used if the trustworthiness of the content is not certain. Prioritize DoFollow Link in SEO The DoFollow backlinks are most useful for search engine optimization. Link juice is passed on with a DoFollow link. A recommendation is made to another website, which the search engine registers and definitely includes in the ranking. In connection with internal links, every link should therefore be set to DoFollow. The aim of internal links is ultimately to level your own websites with each other. Content-rich websites in particular benefit from a large number of internal links, provided they are set to DoFollow. If your own website is not to be indexed by Google, then the "NoIndex" tag should be used. But an internal link to NoFollow has no place on your own website. Ultimately, due to the LinkJuice, all links that do not meet the criteria for a NoFollow link described above are to be set as DoFollow.
Backlinks that have just been purchased between thematically congruent websites can push rankings well as DoFollow backlinks. NoFollow and DoFollow in interaction When the NoFollow and DoFollow links interact, several things must be observed. Over the years, the weighting of the LinkJuice has changed when both link variants are mixed: Before 2008, the LinkJuice was completely split between the DoFollow links. Since 2008 it has been rated NoFollow including the links, which means that the DoFollow links receive a lower link juice. This is to be considered when using different links on a website if they are of central importance for the ranking. For content-rich pages, e.g. B. Main pages of categories, it is therefore recommended to dispense with the NoFollow links and only use DoFollow. Furthermore, the question of functioning and high-quality monitoring arises: How do you make sure that the links that are supposed to be DoFollow actually stay that way? Many a link partner, landlord, or seller of links has already changed the agreed DoFollow backlinks to NoFollow in the online business. In order to keep an eye on the development of the links, special SEO tools can be used: Larger providers such as Sistrix offer special modules separately for this function, and there are also specialized tools for evaluating backlinks.
Conclusion
The correct use of NoFollow and DoFollow serves as a meaningful deepening of some content from our SEO checklist 2020. Knowledge of the use of the Attribute provides advantages in on-page and off-page search engine optimization. Although the Google algorithm is regularly changing and two more attributes have recently been added, it is easy to implement the appropriate attributes in the HTML codes. The latest two variants can also be combined with NoFollow, which gives website operators more leeway for customizing crawling.
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