When people talk about article submission backlinks, one of the first questions is whether the link should be dofollow or nofollow. The answer depends on what you want the link to do, how trustworthy the submission site is, and whether your goal is authority, visibility, referral traffic, or a safer natural link profile.
Understanding the difference matters for website owners, bloggers, digital marketers, SEO beginners, agencies, and business owners alike. A well-balanced backlink profile is usually more helpful than chasing one link type only, especially when you want steady organic visibility and safer long-term SEO growth.
What Dofollow and Nofollow Mean
A dofollow backlink is the standard type of link that allows search engines to follow it and potentially pass ranking signals. In simple terms, it can help search engines discover your page and understand that another site is referencing it as a useful resource.
A nofollow backlink includes a rel=”nofollow” attribute, which tells search engines not to treat the link as a normal endorsement in the same way. That does not make it useless. Nofollow links can still send referral traffic, support visibility, and contribute to a natural-looking backlink profile.
If you want a broader refresher on link building basics, the backlink building guide is a useful place to explore the wider strategy behind quality links.
How Article Submission Backlinks Usually Work
Article submission backlinks are links placed within articles, guest-style submissions, or content directories. These links may appear in the body content, author bio, or resource section. The actual SEO value depends on the site quality, content relevance, placement, and whether the link is dofollow or nofollow.
In practice, article submissions should be treated as part of a broader content and link strategy, not as a shortcut. A link from a relevant, well-maintained site is usually more valuable than many weak links from low-quality sources. Search engines also evaluate context, so the surrounding article content matters just as much as the link type.
Dofollow vs Nofollow in SEO Value
Dofollow links are generally preferred when your goal is to improve authority and help search engines connect your site to relevant topics. They are often the links marketers focus on because they can contribute more directly to organic ranking signals.
Nofollow links, however, still have a role. They can bring people to your site, build brand awareness, diversify your link profile, and reduce the appearance of unnatural link patterns. A healthy backlink profile usually includes a mix of link types rather than only dofollow links.
Google also looks at overall link quality rather than just raw link counts. For that reason, many website owners use a safe backlink building approach that focuses on relevance, editorial context, and natural growth.
Which Link Type Is Better for Article Submission
The better option depends on the purpose of the article submission. If you are contributing to a strong, relevant publication and the link is editorially placed, a dofollow link can be valuable. If the platform uses nofollow by default, that link may still be worthwhile for traffic, trust signals, and visibility.
For most website owners, the best approach is not to choose one type exclusively. Instead, aim for useful content on relevant sites and accept the link type the publisher uses. A natural profile usually includes both, especially if your business has a mix of guest articles, mentions, citations, and resource links.
If your main concern is how links are created and reviewed before placement, the backlink building process explains how safer, more controlled link acquisition typically works.
What Matters More Than Link Type
In article submission backlinks, the link attribute is only one part of the picture. Other quality signals often matter more than whether the link is dofollow or nofollow.
- Relevance: The article and linking site should match your topic or industry.
- Placement: Contextual links in the article body are usually more meaningful than random footer links.
- Anchor text: Natural anchor text is safer than repeated exact-match keywords.
- Site quality: A trusted, readable website is preferable to an overloaded directory.
- Indexing: If the source page is not discovered or indexed, the link may have limited visibility.
For some site owners, backlink discovery and crawling are as important as the link itself. In those cases, backlink indexing support can help when pages need to be found more reliably by search engines.
Checklist for Safer Article Submission Links
Use this simple checklist before you place or accept an article submission backlink:
- Does the site publish relevant, readable content?
- Is the article written for users rather than only for SEO?
- Does the link fit naturally inside the content?
- Is the anchor text descriptive without being over-optimised?
- Would the page still make sense if the link were removed?
- Does the source site have a genuine audience or topical relevance?
- Are you building a mixed backlink profile, not relying on one tactic?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many SEO beginners over-focus on dofollow links and ignore the bigger picture. That can lead to weak link building decisions and unnecessary risk.
- Chasing only dofollow links from poor-quality sites.
- Using the same keyword-rich anchor text repeatedly.
- Submitting thin articles with little original value.
- Ignoring relevance and choosing sites only for link placement.
- Expecting article submission backlinks to produce instant ranking improvements.
- Buying links without checking whether the source looks trustworthy.
If you are comparing commercial options, it helps to review a free website SEO audit first so you understand where your site actually needs support before choosing any link strategy.
Best Practices for Organic Growth
The safest approach is to treat article submission backlinks as one part of a wider white-hat SEO plan. Strong content, technical health, internal linking, and relevant external mentions all work together. A backlink can support visibility, but it should not be the only thing holding up your rankings.
Here are a few practical best practices:
- Prioritise quality over quantity.
- Mix dofollow and nofollow links naturally.
- Choose article topics that genuinely help the target audience.
- Use branded, partial-match, and natural anchors where appropriate.
- Review the source site for relevance and credibility before placement.
For website owners who want a clearer learning path, Backlink Works can be a helpful backlink building resource when researching safe approaches, link quality, and practical SEO fundamentals. It is best used as a guide, not as a shortcut.
Conclusion
In article submission backlinks, dofollow and nofollow links both have value, but they serve different purposes. Dofollow links are more likely to contribute to authority and ranking signals, while nofollow links can still support traffic, trust, and a natural backlink profile. The smartest strategy is to focus on relevance, quality, and consistency rather than chasing one link type alone.
If your goal is sustainable organic improvement, build links that make sense for users, not just search engines. That approach is far safer, more realistic, and better aligned with long-term SEO success. For further learning and practical support, Backlink Works also offers useful guidance on backlink basics and link building standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dofollow backlinks always better than nofollow backlinks?
Not always. Dofollow backlinks can pass stronger SEO value, but nofollow backlinks still matter for referral traffic, visibility, and a natural link profile. A healthy backlink strategy usually includes both link types rather than relying on one exclusively.
Do nofollow article submission backlinks help with SEO?
Yes, they can help indirectly. Nofollow links may not pass the same ranking signals as dofollow links, but they can still bring visitors, increase brand exposure, and support a balanced backlink profile. Their value is often more practical than purely algorithmic.
Should I only buy dofollow links for article submissions?
That is not usually the safest approach. Focusing only on dofollow links can create an unnatural pattern if your backlink profile lacks variety. Relevance, content quality, and source trust are more important than chasing one link attribute.
How can I tell if an article submission backlink is good quality?
Check whether the site is relevant, the article is useful, the anchor text feels natural, and the link is placed in context. A good backlink should make sense to readers first. If the page looks thin, spammy, or unrelated, it is probably not worth pursuing.
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