Dofollow and nofollow backlinks are often treated like a simple yes-or-no choice, but link submission is rarely that straightforward. If you are building links for a website, the real question is not just which tag a link has, but whether the link is relevant, trustworthy, and worth the attention it can bring.
For website owners, bloggers, digital marketers, SEO beginners, agencies, and business owners, understanding the difference between dofollow and nofollow links helps you make better decisions about backlink quality, indexing, anchor text, and safe organic growth. If you want a practical overview of broader link-building strategy, a backlink building guide can be a useful starting point alongside this article.
What Dofollow and Nofollow Backlinks Mean
A dofollow backlink is the default type of link in HTML. In simple terms, it allows search engines to follow the link and pass authority signals from one page to another. That is why dofollow links are usually the main focus in SEO discussions.
A nofollow backlink includes a rel=”nofollow” attribute, which tells search engines not to treat the link as a normal endorsement for ranking purposes. That does not make it useless. Nofollow links can still bring visitors, support brand visibility, and contribute to a natural-looking backlink profile.
There are also related link attributes such as sponsored and ugc. These matter because modern link submission is not only about whether a link passes value, but also about how clearly the link source is labelled and whether it fits a genuine context.
Why the Difference Matters in Link Submission
When you submit a link, you are not only trying to place your URL on another page. You are also shaping how search engines and users interpret that link. If every backlink to a site looks manipulative or forced, that can create risk. If the profile includes a sensible mix of link types, it often looks more natural.
Dofollow links are more likely to influence organic visibility directly, especially when they come from relevant pages with strong editorial context. Nofollow links may not pass the same ranking signals, but they can still help with discovery, referral traffic, and credibility. In many cases, both types have a role in a healthy backlink profile.
For business websites in the UK, this balance is especially important when working with local directories, press mentions, guest posts, and resource pages. A thoughtful mix usually makes more sense than chasing only one link type.
What Search Engines Usually Value Most
Search engines do not reward a backlink simply because it is dofollow. Quality matters more than the label alone. A weak dofollow link from an irrelevant or low-trust site is usually less useful than a well-placed nofollow link from a respected publication that sends real visitors.
In practice, the most valuable backlinks tend to have several of these qualities:
- They come from relevant content and matching topics.
- They sit in natural editorial context, not random footers or sidebars.
- They use sensible anchor text rather than over-optimised phrases.
- They are placed on pages that can be crawled and indexed properly.
- They are part of a wider, natural link profile rather than isolated placements.
If you are unsure whether your current backlinks are helping or simply adding noise, a free website SEO audit can help you spot technical or on-page issues that may limit the impact of your links.
How Link Submission Should Be Evaluated
Link submission should be judged by more than just whether the link is dofollow. Before submitting a link, ask whether the page is relevant, whether the audience matches your website, and whether the link will make sense to a real reader.
It also helps to think about backlink indexing. A page that is not crawled or indexed properly may not deliver much value, no matter how attractive the placement looks. This is why indexing, crawlability, and page quality matter alongside the link attribute itself.
Backlink Works offers educational resources on safe link-building, including how backlinks are built, which can help beginners understand why process and quality matter more than shortcuts.
Practical examples
A dofollow link from a respected industry blog within a useful article may support long-term SEO value. A nofollow link from a major news mention may still send targeted visitors and strengthen brand trust. A directory link with no relevance, even if dofollow, may have little meaningful impact. Context is often more important than the tag.
Best Practices for Safe and Effective Backlink Submission
If you want safer, more sustainable results, focus on link quality rather than chasing as many dofollow links as possible. The goal is to build a backlink profile that looks natural to search engines and helpful to users.
- Choose relevant websites and pages that fit your topic.
- Use varied anchor text, including branded and natural phrases.
- Keep link placements editorial and useful, not forced.
- Mix dofollow and nofollow links where appropriate.
- Check whether the target page is indexable and well maintained.
- Avoid irrelevant placements, paid link schemes, and obvious spam signals.
If you want to reduce risk further, Google-safe backlinks guidance can be helpful when planning outreach, guest contributions, or any paid placement that must stay within sensible SEO boundaries.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people overfocus on dofollow links and ignore everything else. That can lead to poor decisions, especially when link submission becomes a numbers game instead of a quality process. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid:
- Buying links from irrelevant or low-quality sources without checking context.
- Using the same keyword-rich anchor text repeatedly.
- Ignoring whether a page is actually indexed or crawlable.
- Assuming nofollow links are worthless and discounting them entirely.
- Submitting links on pages that have no real audience or topical fit.
Another common issue is treating backlinks as a standalone fix. Even strong links work better when the site has good content, clear internal linking, and a technically healthy structure. A link should support a useful page, not rescue a weak one.
Checklist for Smarter Link Submission
Use this quick checklist before placing or requesting a backlink:
- Is the linking site relevant to my topic or industry?
- Will the link appear in meaningful, readable content?
- Does the anchor text sound natural?
- Is the page likely to be crawled and indexed?
- Does the source look trustworthy to a human visitor?
- Will this link fit a natural backlink profile?
If you are comparing link-building options for your website, the Backlink Works site can serve as a backlink building resource while you learn how different link types fit into a safer SEO strategy.
Conclusion
In link submission, dofollow backlinks usually matter more for direct SEO value, but nofollow backlinks still play an important role in traffic, branding, and profile diversity. The best approach is not to chase one link type blindly, but to focus on relevance, quality, indexing, and natural placement.
If you build links with users in mind, maintain a balanced profile, and avoid spammy shortcuts, backlinks can support organic visibility in a safer and more sustainable way. That is the real difference between simply submitting links and building links that actually make sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dofollow backlinks always better than nofollow backlinks?
Not always. Dofollow links are usually more valuable for passing SEO signals, but nofollow links can still drive traffic, support brand awareness, and make your backlink profile look more natural. A healthy mix is often better than chasing only one type.
Do nofollow backlinks help with SEO at all?
Yes, they can help indirectly. Nofollow links may bring referral traffic, increase visibility, and lead to further mentions or shares. While they usually do not pass the same ranking signals as dofollow links, they still have practical value.
Should I refuse all nofollow links when submitting my site?
No. Refusing every nofollow opportunity can limit your reach. If a nofollow placement is relevant, trusted, and capable of sending the right audience, it may still be worthwhile. The wider context matters more than the attribute alone.
How do I know if a backlink is worth keeping?
Check whether the link is relevant, placed in quality content, and likely to be crawled properly. If it comes from a trustworthy source and supports your topic naturally, it is usually worth keeping. If it looks manipulative or irrelevant, it may be better avoided.
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