Dofollow backlinks are links that pass SEO value from one website to another, making them essential for higher search engine rankings. They signal to Google that the linked content is trustworthy, relevant, and worth indexing.
By default, all links are dofollow unless marked otherwise with attributes like rel=”nofollow” or rel=”sponsored”. When a reputable site links to your page using a dofollow link, it transfers part of its authority—often referred to as PageRank or “link juice”—to your content.
These links play a key role in SEO strategies used by marketers, bloggers, businesses, and agencies. They improve keyword visibility, help content get discovered faster, and contribute to domain authority.
Related concepts include nofollow links, anchor text, backlink profiles, and tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Search Console that help analyze link types and quality.
In this guide, you’ll learn what dofollow backlinks are, how they differ from nofollow links, why they matter for SEO, how to find them, and proven strategies to build them safely and effectively.
What Are Dofollow Backlinks?
A dofollow backlink is a standard hyperlink that passes SEO authority—also known as “link juice”—from one website to another. It does not contain a rel=”nofollow” attribute, which means search engines follow the link and treat it as a vote of confidence for the destination page.
For example:
<a href=”https://t-ranks.com/ “>Visit T-RANKS</a>
This is a dofollow link because it doesn’t include any special attributes like rel=”nofollow”. That means search engines will follow the link and interpret it as an endorsement of the linked website—in this case, T-RANKS. The linked page may receive a boost in SEO authority and be more likely to rank higher in relevant search results.
Dofollow links are the default link type in HTML. They are essential for SEO because they help transfer PageRank and support faster indexing. They also influence domain authority, keyword rankings, and content discoverability.
Dofollow vs. Nofollow: Key Seo Differences
The main difference between dofollow and nofollow links lies in how they impact SEO. Dofollow links pass on link equity (also known as PageRank or “link juice”), while nofollow links do not. This affects both search engine crawling behavior and ranking influence.
Key Differences Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links
| Feature | Dofollow Links | Nofollow Links |
| Link Equity | Pass on SEO value to the linked page | Do not pass on SEO value |
| Search Ranking | Contribute directly to keyword and page rankings | Do not directly influence rankings |
| Crawling Behavior | Encourage search engines to follow and index the target page | May or may not be followed/indexed by search engines |
| Typical Usage | Used for trusted, editorial, or contextual references | Used for sponsored content, UGC (comments/forums), or untrusted links |
Google now treats the nofollow attribute as a “hint” rather than a strict directive. That means search engines may still crawl or index nofollow links when they come from reputable or contextually relevant sources.
Both link types serve a purpose. While dofollow links are essential for building ranking power, nofollow links help create a natural backlink profile, bring in referral traffic, and reduce the risk of over-optimization.
While dofollow links pass SEO value and directly improve rankings, your backlink profile should not consist of only dofollow links. A 100% dofollow profile can appear unnatural to Google and may raise red flags during algorithmic evaluations.
According to a study by Ahrefs, most healthy backlink profiles include 60–80% dofollow links and 20–40% nofollow links, depending on niche and link sources. Maintaining this kind of balance helps your site appear more natural and protects against over-optimization.
Examples
Dofollow link (default):
<a href=”https://t-ranks.com/”>T-RANKS</a>
Nofollow link:
<a href=”https://t-ranks.com/ ” rel=”nofollow”>T-RANKS</a>
Dofollow links signal trust and influence SEO rankings. Nofollow links, while not passing authority, are still valuable for brand visibility and traffic generation.
Why Dofollow Backlinks Are Crucial for SEO Performance
Dofollow backlinks are essential for SEO because they pass link equity—commonly known as “link juice”—from one site to another, signaling to search engines that the linked content is valuable and trustworthy. This helps improve search rankings, domain authority, and online visibility.
Key SEO Advantages of Dofollow Links
1. Improve Search Engine Rankings
Dofollow links pass PageRank to the destination page, which is one of Google’s core ranking signals. When multiple reputable sites link to a page using dofollow links, that page is more likely to rank higher in search engine results for relevant keywords.
2. Build Domain Authority
High-quality dofollow backlinks contribute to your domain’s perceived authority. As your domain becomes more trusted, all of your pages may perform better in search, even those without direct backlinks.
3. Boost Referral Traffic
When users click on a dofollow backlink from another website, they are directed to your page. This referral traffic often comes from contextually relevant sources, increasing the chances of engagement, conversions, or business inquiries.
4. Enhance Crawlability and Indexing
Search engine bots follow dofollow links to discover and crawl new pages. This improves how quickly your content is indexed and updated in search engines like Google.
5. Send Trust and Relevance Signals
A dofollow link from a reputable site tells search engines, “this content is worth endorsing.” It improves the credibility of the linked page and helps build topical relevance.
6. Create a Competitive SEO Advantage
Websites with a strong profile of dofollow backlinks tend to outperform competitors. These links act as endorsements, giving your content higher visibility and signaling expertise and authority to both search engines and users.
How to Find Dofollow Backlinks to Your Site
Tracking your dofollow backlinks helps you measure your site’s authority, understand which strategies are working, and uncover new link-building opportunities. These insights are essential for maintaining SEO performance and building a competitive edge.
1. Use SEO Tools with Link-Type Filters
Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, and Ubersuggest offer dedicated backlink reports that identify whether a link is dofollow or nofollow.
- Ahrefs: Go to “Backlinks” → Apply the “Dofollow” filter. You’ll also see anchor text, referring domains, and page authority.
- SEMrush: In the “Backlink Audit” or “Domain Overview” tools, filter by link type and domain toxicity.
- Moz Link Explorer: Offers link type, domain authority, and spam score insights.
- Ubersuggest: Basic backlink breakdown, useful for quick overviews.
Let’s Use SEMrush to Find Dofollow Backlinks (Example)
SEMrush is one of the most powerful tools to analyze your backlink profile. Here’s how to filter and view only dofollow backlinks from your domain’s backlink data.
Step 1: Open SEMrush and Enter Your Domain
Go to the SEMrush dashboard and type your domain into the search bar.
Then click on Backlink Analytics under the Link Building section in the left sidebar.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Backlinks” Tab
After SEMrush processes your domain, you’ll see a detailed overview.
Click on the “Backlinks” tab to open the full backlink report.
Step 3: Filter for Dofollow Backlinks
At the top of the backlink list, you’ll see filters like All, Follow, Nofollow, Sponsored, and UGC.
Click on the “Follow” filter to display only dofollow backlinks.
Once filtered, you’ll get a complete list of all dofollow backlinks pointing to your domain, including:
- Referring page title and URL
- Anchor text
- First seen and last seen date
- External and internal link counts
You can further refine results using filters for referring domains, anchor types, and link status (active/lost).
This method is ideal for auditing the quality and quantity of your dofollow links, identifying link-building success, or comparing backlink types.
2. Check Manually Using Inspect Element
You can manually check whether a link is dofollow or nofollow using your browser’s Inspect Element tool. This method is simple and effective for checking individual links without using paid tools.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Right-click the Link
Go to the webpage and right-click on the link you want to check. From the dropdown menu, select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element.”.
This opens the browser’s Developer Tools and highlights the link’s HTML code
Step 2: Examine the HTML Code
Look at the <a> tag in the HTML panel. You’ll see the link’s destination inside the href attribute.
If you see a rel=”nofollow” (or rel=”ugc” or rel=”sponsored”), the link is a nofollow link.
If none of these rel attributes are present, the link is considered dofollow by default.
In this example, the link is dofollow because it lacks a “rel” attribute.
In the above example no the link is no follow because “rel no follow “ attribute is present .
What to Look For:
✅ Dofollow:
<a href=”https://t-ranks.com/”>T-RANKS</a
🚫 Nofollow:
<a href=”https://t-ranks.com/” rel=”nofollow”>T-RANKS</a>
This method is best for checking one or two links quickly. For bulk analysis, tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or browser extensions are more efficient.
3. Use Chrome Extensions to Visually Detect Dofollow and Nofollow Links
Chrome extensions are a practical way to check link types directly on a live webpage. These tools highlight whether links are dofollow or nofollow, saving time when analyzing multiple outbound links on a page.
Some commonly used extensions include:
- Ahrefs SEO Toolbar – Shows dofollow/nofollow status, DR/UR, and link counts
- MozBar – Highlights link types and displays DA/PA and on-page elements
- SEOquake – Provides on-page audits and link data, including rel attributes
As an Example, Let’s See How Ahrefs SEO Toolbar Works
Step 1: Go to Chrome web store and search for Ahref seo tool Bar .Click on add to chrom to successfully download the extension and install it.
Step 2: Now click on AHref Seo Tool bar and once you login and Enter your domain. Once your domain data is filtered now Click on Outgoing Links as shown here below. Filter the view to show only external links for a focused list.
Step 3: Now select your desired Link type Do follow or No follow .You can see clearly there is option of Do follow and No follow Links. To Check Do follow links click on Do follow and you will see list of all do follow backlinks linking to your site .
For No follow select No follow option to check all No follow backlinks .
You can also use the search bar within the extension to locate specific domains or URLs, making it easier to evaluate guest posts or backlinks on content pages.
This method is especially helpful when you want to review link types across multiple URLs on a single page without inspecting each manually.
Proven Strategies to Build Dofollow Backlinks
Acquiring high-quality dofollow backlinks requires more than just outreach—it demands value, relevance, and trust. The following white-hat strategies are proven to earn backlinks that improve rankings, drive qualified traffic, and align with Google’s quality guidelines.
Each method focuses on building natural links from authoritative sources through ethical, content-driven practices. These strategies do not rely on shortcuts or paid schemes. They involve real effort and content quality.
1.Guest Posting for Dofollow Links
Guest posting remains one of the most effective and scalable ways to earn dofollow backlinks. By contributing value-driven articles to reputable blogs in your niche, you gain editorial links that build authority and relevance.
Key Practices
- Prioritize topical relevance over metrics like DA or DR. Links from relevant websites have a greater impact than links from unrelated sites.
- Verify traffic using tools like SimilarWeb or Google Search Console screenshots. A site that gets regular organic visitors is more valuable.
- Focus on content fit: Match the site’s tone, depth, and audience expectations. Editors are more likely to accept content that aligns with their publishing style.
- Negotiate clearly: Confirm dofollow status and placement (preferably in-content, not just bio). Links inside the article are stronger than those in author bios.
Tip: Use Google search operators like “write for us” + [your niche] or analyze competitors’ backlink profiles in Ahrefs to find real guest posting targets.
2.Broken Link Building
Broken link building offers a win-win opportunity—webmasters fix outdated content, and you earn a contextual dofollow link. This strategy works best when you can provide a useful replacement for a dead link.
How It Works
- Find dead links on authority websites using Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Check My Links.
- Create a suitable replacement (guide, case study, resource).
- Reach out politely, offering your resource as a fix.
Why It Works
- It improves user experience on the target site.
- The link is editorial and usually placed in content-rich pages.
- It’s scalable—one broken page might have dozens of backlinks you can reclaim.
This method requires research and outreach but is effective because you’re helping the site owner fix a problem.
3. Resource Page Outreach
Resource pages are curated collections of valuable links on a topic—and they’re ideal for earning dofollow backlinks.
Steps to Outreach
- Find pages using operators like intitle:resources or inurl:links + keyword.
- Ensure the page links externally and is actively maintained.
- Pitch content that fills a clear gap or adds unique value.
Content That Works Best
- In-depth guides
- Industry reports
- Useful tools and calculators
- Beginner explainers or glossary pages
Webmasters often appreciate good suggestions that make their resource pages more helpful.
4.HARO & Digital PR Opportunities
Dofollow backlinks from media outlets are some of the hardest to earn—but HARO and Digital PR make them accessible.
HARO (Help a Reporter Out)
- Sign up as a source.
- Respond to journalist queries with expert insights.
- Get featured in high-authority publications like Forbes or Business Insider, often with a dofollow link.
Digital PR
- Create newsworthy content (original research, reports, expert commentary).
- Pitch it to targeted journalists or bloggers.
- Earn contextual links from coverage and citations.
Why It’s Powerful
- Media backlinks are high-authority and trusted by Google.
- They also increase brand credibility and referral traffic.
- These links are hard to replicate, giving you a competitive edge.
These methods take time but are highly effective when executed well.
5.The Skyscraper Technique
This method involves identifying link-worthy content, improving it, and pitching your version to the same audience.
Execution Steps
- Use tools like Ahrefs or BuzzSumo to find top-performing content in your niche.
- Create a better version—add depth, update stats, improve design or UX.
- Reach out to sites linking to the original and suggest your version as a more current alternative.
Best Results Come From
- Unique insights, expert interviews, or original data.
- Visually enhanced UX (infographics, charts, formatting).
- Strong subject-matter expertise and content depth.
This strategy works well if your updated content clearly improves on the original.
6. Roundup Submissions
Weekly or monthly content roundups are a low-friction way to earn natural dofollow backlinks.
How to Get Included
- Search for roundup opportunities using terms like “best posts of the week” + [topic].
- Reach out to the editor with a brief, value-driven summary of your content.
- Ensure your submission is recent, relevant, and well-formatted.
Ideal Content Types
- Actionable how-to posts
- Industry updates or commentary
- Case studies and expert roundups
This is one of the simplest link-building methods and often works if your content is timely and useful.
What Makes a High-Quality Dofollow Link?
Not all dofollow backlinks offer the same SEO value. Search engines evaluate various factors to determine whether a backlink is beneficial, neutral, or potentially harmful. A high-quality dofollow backlink comes from a relevant, trustworthy source and is placed naturally within valuable content.
To improve your rankings safely and effectively, focus on earning links that meet the following criteria:
1. Relevance of the Linking Site
Links from websites that cover similar or related topics carry more weight. For example, a backlink from a digital marketing blog to an SEO services page is more meaningful than a link from an unrelated cooking site.
2. Domain Authority and Trustworthiness
Backlinks from well-established domains with real organic traffic are more impactful. Tools like Ahrefs (DR), Moz (DA), and Semrush (Authority Score) help measure a domain’s overall authority.
3. Contextual Placement
Links that appear naturally within the body of informative content are more powerful than those placed in sidebars, footers, or author bios. Contextual links indicate editorial relevance and add value to readers.
4. Anchor Text Optimization
Anchor text is the clickable part of a link. High-quality backlinks use natural, descriptive, and varied anchor text. Overusing exact-match keywords can trigger spam filters or algorithmic penalties.
Good examples of anchor text:
- Brand names (e.g., T-RANKS)
- Descriptive phrases (e.g., backlink outreach strategy)
- Partial keyword variations
5. Page Indexability
A backlink must come from a page that is indexed by Google. If the page is blocked by robots.txt or contains a noindex tag, the link will not pass value—even if it’s dofollow.
6. Organic Traffic and Engagement
Pages with real users offer both SEO value and referral traffic. A dofollow link from a blog post that ranks and gets visitors is much more useful than one buried in a dead or inactive page.
7. Editorial Control
Links earned through editorial discretion—meaning someone voluntarily included your link because it adds value—are considered more trustworthy than links placed through automated methods or exchanges.
8. No Manipulative Attributes
Avoid links from pages with excessive outbound links, spammy directory pages, or link farms. Also, ensure the link doesn’t carry rel=”sponsored” or rel=”ugc” attributes, which indicate paid or user-generated content.
A high-quality dofollow backlink doesn’t just improve rankings—it builds long-term authority, trust, and visibility. Focus on earning links from real sites with real audiences.
Tools to Monitor and Track Dofollow Links
Monitoring your dofollow backlinks helps you evaluate their impact, identify issues, and maintain a strong, penalty-free link profile. Whether you’re building links through guest posting, outreach, or earned media, it’s essential to keep track of where your links come from, how they perform, and whether they remain live over time.
Below are the best tools to help you track and analyze dofollow links effectively:
1. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is one of the most comprehensive backlink analysis tools available.
- View all backlinks pointing to your site, including filtering by dofollow or nofollow.
- Analyze anchor text distribution, linking domains, and link growth trends.
- Monitor lost or broken backlinks and set up alerts for new links.
- Useful for competitor backlink analysis and link reclamation opportunities.
2. SEMrush
SEMrush offers robust backlink auditing and monitoring features.
- Track all your backlinks by link type (dofollow/nofollow).
- Evaluate toxicity scores and flag potentially harmful backlinks.
- Export disavow files if needed and submit directly to Google Search Console.
- Get detailed link metrics, including referring domain authority and anchor profile.
3. Google Search Console (GSC)
GSC is a free and essential tool for basic backlink insights.
- Navigate to Links > External Links to view top linking domains and anchor texts.
- While GSC doesn’t differentiate dofollow vs. nofollow links, you can export the data and verify attributes manually.
- Use GSC in combination with other tools for full visibility.
4. Monitor Backlinks
Monitor Backlinks is a user-friendly alternative that’s ideal for small businesses and freelancers.
- Automatically checks for new, lost, or changed backlinks.
- Tracks dofollow/nofollow status and provides key SEO metrics for each link.
- Offers link alerts and detailed reports to stay updated in real-time.
5. Majestic SEO
Majestic specializes in backlink data with unique metrics:
- Trust Flow and Citation Flow measure link quality and volume.
- You can analyze link history, domain influence, and topical relevance.
- Ideal for agencies and SEO professionals needing in-depth analysis.
6. SEO SpyGlass (by SEO PowerSuite)
SEO SpyGlass is a downloadable tool that offers great value.
- Analyze your backlink profile by dofollow/nofollow type, anchor text, and domain authority.
- Compare your backlinks with competitors to find link gap opportunities.
- One-time license cost (no monthly fee), making it a good option for budget-conscious users.
Regularly tracking your dofollow backlinks helps you:
- Ensure links are still live and passing value
- Identify and disavow harmful links
- Analyze anchor text distribution
- Monitor competitors and replicate high-value opportunities
Effective backlink monitoring keeps your SEO strategy aligned with Google’s quality guidelines and protects your site from negative SEO issues.
T-RANKS Manual Dofollow Link Building Services
T-RANKS provides high-quality dofollow backlinks through a fully manual, white-hat outreach process. Our links come from real websites with genuine authority, ensuring long-term SEO value and compliance with Google’s guidelines.
Unlike automated services or link networks, our approach focuses on relevance, editorial standards, and clean, sustainable link profiles.
Our Process
1. Industry-Specific Website Research
We carefully identify websites relevant to your niche and audience. Every domain is evaluated based on organic traffic, content quality, and domain trust—not just third-party metrics.
2. Manual Outreach and Relationship Building
Our outreach is done manually. We contact real editors and webmasters, craft custom pitches, and ensure that your content or link adds value to the site’s readers.
3. Contextual Dofollow Placements
Your backlinks are placed naturally within high-quality, well-written content—not in spammy blogrolls or unrelated posts. All links are dofollow, indexable, and placed within context-rich paragraphs for maximum SEO impact.
4. Clean and Balanced Link Profile Strategy
We focus on link diversity, natural anchor text variation, and strategic placement to avoid over-optimization. This keeps your backlink profile healthy and algorithm-safe.
5. Transparent Reporting
Each campaign includes a detailed report listing:
- Live URL
- Placement type (guest post, niche edit, resource inclusion)
- Anchor text used
- Domain metrics (DR/DA, traffic)
- Publication date
No hidden networks. No fake metrics.
Why SEO Professionals Choose T-RANKS
- No Automation: 100% manual outreach with personalized pitches
- Editorial Quality: Links are placed within valuable, topic-relevant content
- Trusted Sources: Only real websites with organic search traffic
- Google-Compliant: No paid link schemes or black-hat tactics
- Agency-Ready: White-label link-building support available for SEO agencies
Ready to Build Authority with Google-Safe Backlinks?
Book a Free Strategy Session or Browse Our Backlink Packages to start growing your SEO rankings with trusted, dofollow links.
Conclusion
Dofollow backlinks help your website rank higher in search engines. These are trusted links that pass SEO value from one website to another. When your site gets dofollow links from good sources, it tells Google that your content is useful and trustworthy.
Getting these links takes time and effort. You need to focus on sharing helpful content, building real relationships, and using safe strategies. Methods like guest posting, fixing broken links, and getting listed on resource pages can help you earn strong, long-lasting backlinks.
To keep your SEO strong, it’s also important to check your backlinks regularly and avoid risky or spammy link tactics.
Need help building safe and effective backlinks?
Book a Free Strategy Call to see how T-RANKS can support your growth.
FAQs About Dofollow Backlinks
What is a dofollow backlink?
A dofollow backlink is a standard hyperlink that passes PageRank to the linked page. Search engines follow it, helping the destination page gain authority and improve search rankings. All links are dofollow by default unless marked with attributes like rel=”nofollow”.
How can I check if a backlink is dofollow?
Check backlinks using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz. Manually inspect a link by right-clicking it, choosing “Inspect,” and verifying it doesn’t include rel=”nofollow”, rel=”ugc”, or rel=”sponsored”.
Are dofollow links more valuable than nofollow?
Yes. Dofollow links transfer SEO value and help pages rank higher. Nofollow links do not pass PageRank but can still bring traffic and diversify your link profile.
How many dofollow backlinks do I need to rank?
There is no set number. Ranking depends on keyword competition, domain authority, and content quality. Competitive industries may require hundreds of high-quality, relevant backlinks.
Can I pay for dofollow links?
Yes, but it must follow Google’s guidelines. Use white-hat methods that involve manual outreach, editorial review, and content value—like T-RANKS’ process—to avoid penalties.
Should I avoid nofollow links?
No. Include both dofollow and nofollow links for a natural backlink profile. Nofollow links from trusted sources like Reddit or Quora still drive traffic and support brand visibility.
What’s the safest way to build or buy dofollow backlinks?
Secure backlinks through content-based outreach to relevant, authoritative websites. Avoid link networks, automated tools, or schemes that violate Google’s policies.
Are forum or profile backlinks still useful?
Forum and profile backlinks are usually nofollow and low authority. They may help indexing or niche traffic but provide little SEO value. Do not rely on them for link-building.
Can one bad backlink hurt my SEO?
Yes. Backlinks from spammy or irrelevant sites can harm rankings or trigger penalties. Perform regular backlink audits and disavow harmful links to protect your SEO.
Do internal links need to be dofollow?
Yes. Internal links should remain dofollow to help search engines crawl your site and identify important pages. Only use nofollow if you want to block specific crawl paths.
How long does it take to see results from dofollow backlinks?
Results typically appear in 4–12 weeks, depending on domain authority, niche competition, and your existing SEO status. Full results may take longer as Google reassesses your site.
