Backlinks are a vote of confidence for your website. But do you know that not all backlinks play by the same rules?

Some will boost your rankings and make your website shine in search results. Others? They just sit there, bringing visitors but not helping your SEO.

Confused? Let's talk about the two major types of backlinks: do-follow and no-follow.

It is not "nice to know" but a must if you want your online presence to grow.

So, What Is a Backlink Anyway?

A backlink is, in essence, a recommendation.

When another website links to yours, they are pretty much saying, "Hey, this site has something valuable!"

But here's the twist—the do-follow backlinks help you climb the SEO ladder, whereas no-follow links, well, don't.

Do-Follow Backlinks: Your SEO Best Friend

A do-follow backlink is like giving a thumbs up by a site with authority to your site and transfers link juice or SEO juice, saying in front of the search engine, This content is worthy of the rank.

What is the use of do-follow backlinks?

They enhance rank Google loves that since it proves to be a good trust signal, it also helps to add value to DA. More such links create more credibility in the search. It attracts relevant traffic.

When big websites link to you, their readers often follow.

Example:

Think of a huge news site linking to your blog about "Easy DIY Home Projects." That is a do-follow link, and it will help the SEO of your site grow.

No-Follow Backlinks: Traffic Without the Boost

A no-follow backlink, on the other hand, tells search engines,
“We’re linking to this, but don’t vouch for it.”

Why?
Sometimes websites don’t want to pass link juice—especially for paid links, user comments, or content they can’t fully endorse.

Why do no-follow backlinks matter?

1. They drive traffic.
   People can still click on the link to visit your site.

2. They build a natural link profile.
   A mix of do-follow and no-follow links shows search engines your site isn’t trying to game the system.

3. They keep things transparent.
   Paid or promotional links must comply with Google's policies by including the no-follow attribute.

Example:

A no-follow link might be present in a sponsored blog post or a comment left on a forum. It may not contribute directly to your rankings, but it will bring visitors nonetheless.

Do-Follow vs. No-Follow Backlinks: What’s the Difference?

Here’s how do-follow and no-follow backlinks stack up:

How to Tell Them Apart

Want to know if a link is do-follow or no-follow? Here’s a quick trick:

1. Inspect the Link
   Right-click on it and select “Inspect” or “View Page Source.”

2. Look for rel="nofollow"
   If it’s there, the link is no-follow. If not, it’s do-follow.

So, Which One Do You Need?

Here’s the truth: you need both.

• Do-follow backlinks are a must for climbing search rankings.

• No-follow backlinks are great for traffic and creating a natural link profile.

But you know what matters?
The quality of the links. A do-follow link from a spammy site won’t help you. And even a no-follow link from a trusted source can send tons of traffic your way.

Building Quality Backlinks: Easy Steps

1. Develop Amazing Content:
   Sharing content that solves problems earns it links.

2. Offer to Write Guest Posts:
   Guest blogging on other authoritative sites within your niche

3. Network
   Get connected with the influencers and the industry leaders.

4. Broken Links:
   Find broken links on authoritative sites and suggest they use your content instead.

5. Social Media:
   Share your content across as many channels as possible to increase the number of times it is seen.

Conclusion

Do-follow and no-follow both play their roles in your SEO strategy.

Do-follow links create authority and ranking. No-follow links generate traffic and maintain your profile as natural. Both together make for a balanced strategy that search engines love.

Now it’s your turn.

Got any tips or questions about backlinks? Share them in the comments! Or, if you’re ready to supercharge your SEO, start focusing on earning those high-quality do-follow links today. Hiring an SEO agency will help you in building quality backlinks.

Because every backlink counts.

Not all backlinks are created equal. Learn how do-follow and no-follow backlinks impact SEO rankings and traffic