Backlinks are a powerful way to boost your search engine rankings. In fact, the top-ranking page on Google typically has an average of 3.8 times more backlinks compared to pages ranking in positions two to 10.
If you want to build a diverse backlink profile and improve your organic search rankings, you need to earn dofollow links. These links pass authority onto your website, increase your visibility, and boost your referral traffic.
However, building dofollow links is challenging. It requires high-quality content, trust, and on-point outreach to authoritative websites.
In this article, we’ll unpack what dofollow backlinks are, why they’re important, and how to earn them.
What Are Dofollow Backlinks?
A dofollow link is a type of hyperlink that allows search engines to follow and pass search engine optimization (SEO) value—often referred to as “link juice” from the source website to the destination site.
These links contribute to the ranking of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs) by influencing its domain authority (DA) or domain rating (DR).
🤔 What Is DA and DR?
Domain authority (DA): A metric created by the SEO tool Moz that predicts how well a website is likely to rank in SERPs.
Domain rating (DR): A metric from another SEO tool, Ahrefs that measures the strength of a website’s backlink profile compared to other sites.
Studies show that higher DA or DR websites typically secure higher search engine rankings.
In HTML, all standard links are dofollow by default unless they’re explicitly marked with the nofollow attribute. A typical dofollow link looks like this:
<a href="">Example Website</a>
This link allows search engines to crawl the destination page and pass on SEO authority to it.
Below is an explanation of how dofollow links work:
1. Crawling and indexing
When a search engine bot, such as Google’s Googlebot, finds a dofollow link, it follows the link to the target webpage. The bot crawls and indexes the page—the process where Google stores and organizes web pages. This helps the page appear in search results.
2. Passing on SEO value
Dofollow links pass link equity from the referral site to the linked site. Link equity is the SEO value or authority one website passes to another through backlinks.
If a high-authority website links to your page using a dofollow link, it enhances your page’s authority and ranking potential.
3. Anchor text relevance
The anchor text—the clickable text in the hyperlink—helps search engines understand the context of the linked page.
Below is an example of anchor text from one of our blog articles. As you can see, the anchor text is “white hat links,” and the dofollow link directs to one of our other pages on this topic.
Let’s look at another example: if the HTML attribute is <a href="">SEO Tips</a>, the anchor text “SEO Tips” signals to search engines that the linked page is about SEO tips.
One study found that websites with a high diversity of anchor text had an average SEO ranking of 1.3, significantly higher than those with low diversity, with an average ranking of 3.5.
What Is the Difference Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links?
As you now know, a dofollow link is a standard hyperlink that searches engines crawl, index, and pass link juice from the source page to the destination page.
A nofollow backlink, on the other hand, is a hyperlink that contains a special HTML attribute instructing search engines not to follow the link or pass any SEO value to the destination page.
Nofollow links are less common than dofollow links. Research data shows that only 10.6% of all backlinks on the top 110,00 sites are nofollow.
When a search engine bot encounters a nofollow link, it doesn’t pass link juice to the linked page. Google may still crawl the page, but the link doesn’t directly impact the target page’s rankings.
Below is a summary outlining the main differences between dofollow and nofollow links:
Feature | Dofollow links | Nofollow links |
Pass link juice | Yes | No |
Affect search rankings | Yes | No |
Crawled by search engines | Yes | Sometimes |
HTML code example | <a href="">Link</a> | <a href="" rel="nofollow">Link</a> |
Why Are Dofollow Links Important for Search Engine Optimization?
Let’s unpack why dofollow links are essential for SEO:
✅ Helps with authority
Dofollow links directly impact Google’s PageRank (PR) algorithm, which evaluates the importance of a webpage based on its backlinks.
PageRank assigns a score to web pages based on the number and quality of links pointing to them.
Dofollow links improve this metric and DA and DR, increasing your website’s authority. The more high-quality dofollow links a website receives, the stronger its PageRank, DA, and DR become.
As a result, the website gains better ranking potential and becomes a more trusted source.
✅ Boosts organic rankings and visibility
Although Google uses over 200 factors to rank websites, dofollow links are one of the most significant ranking factors for SEO.
Google considers backlinks votes of confidence. The more authoritative websites link to your site, the more Google trusts your website as a valuable source of information.
This increased trust leads to better rankings in search results, ultimately improving your website’s visibility in SERPs.
For example, if a high-authority news website links to your content, Google will perceive your page as highly relevant and useful.
In the example below, PR Newswire, a high-authority news website, links to WaterToken, passing on SEO value to their site:
Websites with strong dofollow link profiles consistently rank higher than those without them. Without dofollow links, ranking in competitive niches can become nearly impossible.
➡️ Increases credibility
Search engines use backlinks as a trust signal. If multiple reputable sources link to a website, it gains credibility in the eyes of both search engines and users.
Dofollow links from high-quality sources, such as news websites, indicate your content is reliable.
For example, if a media journal like WebMD links to your healthcare-related content, it adds significant credibility to your website. Just look at how high WebMD’s authority already is:
➡️ Increases referral traffic
Dofollow links not only help with SEO; they also drive direct referral traffic to your website. Websites with between 30 and 35 backlinks typically generate over 10,500 monthly visits.
Referral traffic refers to visitors who come to your website by clicking a link from another website, rather than finding you through search engines or typing your URL directly.
When a user follows a dofollow link from another website and lands on your page, this potentially increases your audience.
If the referring website has high traffic, this can lead to a significant influx of new visitors to your site. More visitors engaging with your content signals to Google that your website is valuable, which can further enhance your SEO rankings.
➡️ Improves indexing and discoverability
Only 5% of all websites have backlinks pointing to them. As mentioned above, search engines use links to discover and index new pages. A page with no backlinks might not get indexed properly, making it invisible in search results.
Dofollow links help with indexing because Googlebot follows them to find and crawl new content. If a new website has no backlinks, it may take weeks or even months for search engines to discover it.
However, if a new blog post receives a backlink from a major news website, it can be indexed within hours.
In our example above, WaterToken's website had already gained backlinks before it launched its product. This means its site was indexed and visible in search results before it began making sales.
➡️ Helps with competitive SEO
To compete in search rankings, websites need to build stronger backlink profiles than their competitors. A backlink profile is simply your collection of backlinks pointing to your website.
Dofollow links provide a competitive advantage by increasing a website’s authority and ranking potential.
An excellent strategy for outranking your competitors involves analyzing their backlinks using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. By identifying where competitors get their dofollow links, you can target the same source or find even higher-quality websites for backlink opportunities.
How to Get High-Quality Dofollow Backlinks
Now that you know why dofollow links are so important, you might be wondering how you can earn them. Below are some effective ways to acquire dofollow backlinks:
🔗 Guest posting
Guest posting involves writing and publishing articles on other reputable websites in your niche. In return for your content, the website owner often allows you to include a dofollow link back to your website.
This is one of the most effective and common ways to earn high-quality backlinks. In fact, over 64% of link builders use guest blogging as their link-building strategy.
To create dofollow backlinks through guest posting, follow these steps:
1. Target relevant sites: Find websites or blogs within your industry or niche that accept guest posts and have high DA or DR. These sites are more likely to give you valuable dofollow links.
2. Create a pitch: Your outreach to these sites needs to be exceptional to stand out. This is because guest blog sites receive hundreds of pitches each month.
3. Create high-quality content: To get your blog post accepted, you need to offer well-researched, original, and engaging content. Websites won’t link to your site or accept your blog post if the content doesn’t add value to their audience.
4. Include a dofollow link: In your guest post, make sure to include a relevant link to your site. Most reputable sites allow dofollow links in guest posts, but confirming this in advance is essential.
In the example below, marketing consultant and author John Jantsch has secured a dofollow link by writing a guest blog post on the Brian Solis website. A dofollow link to John’s website and book appears at the top of the article, pointing to his website and a platform to purchase the book:
Source<a href="" >https:="" example.com<="" a="">
💡 Quick Best Practices for Guest Blogging
Pitch your article ideas to site owners before writing so you don’t waste time on a blog that isn’t published.
Focus on quality over quantity. For example, don’t spam the same site with multiple posts.
Ensure your target website has good SEO metrics, like high domain rating and traffic.
Check out our guide to guest posts for more insights on how to get this link-building tactic right.
🔗 Help a B2B Writer
Help a B2B Writer is a platform that connects B2B writers with industry experts and sources for the content they’re publishing. By working with these writers, you can gain backlinks as their services focus on creating high-quality content.
By providing valuable information in response to media queries, you can earn dofollow backlinks in high-authority publications.
Below is an explanation of how HARO works:
1. Sign up: You’ll need to sign up on the Help a B2B Writer platform. Registering as a source allows you to select your area of expertise.
2. Respond to relevant queries: You’ll receive relevant requests and opportunities to provide expertise on specific topics.
3. Earn your backlink: You can reach out to the person who submitted the request and submit the information they require. If they haven't already done so, you can politely request that they include a link to your website as a source in their work.
💡 Tips for Working with Help a B2B Writer
Respond promptly to requests for expertise. Writers are often on a tight deadline.
If you don’t receive a response from a writer, ensure you follow up as you may still have the opportunity to earn a link. But be sure to make your follow-up polite and not pushy.
🔗 Resource page link-building
Resource page link building often involves finding resource pages—often called link pages or resource directories—on relevant websites and suggesting your site be included in their list of valuable resources.
Here’s how it works:
1. Find resource pages: Search for resource pages in your industry or niche using Google search operators. For example, type "best resources for [topic]" or "helpful resources for [industry]."
2. Pitch your website: Once you find relevant pages, reach out to the website owner and suggest your website as an addition to the page. Provide a compelling reason why your site would be a valuable resource for their audience.
3. Get your link: If accepted, your website will be listed as a trusted source with a dofollow link.
Below is an example of a resource page for the best SEO tools. Each tool gets a dofollow link to their website:
💡 A Few Tips for Resource Page Link Building
Target high-quality, authoritative websites with relevant and helpful resource pages.
Craft a personalized pitch explaining why your website is a valuable addition to their list.
Follow up if you don’t hear back, but avoid spamming the website owner.
🔗 Broken link building
Broken link building is a strategy where you find broken links on authoritative websites and suggest a link to your own content as a replacement. Around 66% of links are broken, making this tactic a great opportunity.
This is an effective way to earn high-quality dofollow links because you’re helping the website fix an issue—their broken links—and you get a backlink in return.
Here’s how broken link building typically works:
1. Find broken links: Use tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or the Check My Links Chrome extension to identify broken links on authoritative websites in your niche.
2. Create relevant content: Once you find a broken link, ensure you have a piece of content that is relevant and high-quality to replace the broken link.
Reach out to the website owner: Send a polite email to the site owner, informing them about the broken link and suggesting your content as a suitable replacement. If they agree, you’ll get a dofollow backlink.
💡 Quick Best Practices for Broken Link Building
Always provide relevant and high-quality content to replace the broken link; otherwise, the website owner has no reason to replace the link with yours.
Be helpful in your outreach; don’t push too aggressively.
Regularly monitor the links you build and ensure they remain active.
Check out our full broken link-building guide to get more advice on this technique.
🔗 Skyscraper Technique
The Skyscraper Technique, created by Brian Dean of Backlinko, is a content strategy designed to help you earn dofollow backlinks by creating superior versions of popular content in your niche and promoting it to websites that have already linked to similar content.
Below are some steps to take to get the Skyscraper Technique right:
1. Find popular content: Use tools like BuzzSumo or Ahrefs to find high-ranking, highly linked-to content in your niche or industry.
2. Create a better version: Write more comprehensive, valuable, and updated content. This could mean adding more in-depth research, richer visuals, or better design.
3. Promote your content: Once your content is live, reach out to websites that have linked to the original content and suggest they link to your superior version instead.
💡 Top Tips for the Skyscraper Technique
Focus on creating content that’s significantly better than what already exists.
Personalize your outreach email to explain why your content is a better resource.
Consider including infographics, case studies, and interactive tools that enhance your content’s value.
Visit our Skyscraper Technique guide to learn how to get this strategy right.
Maximize Your SEO Potential with Dofollow Backlinks
Incorporating dofollow backlinks in your SEO strategy is essential for enhancing your website’s authority and improving search engine rankings.
These links pass valuable link equity to your site, helping search engines recognize your content as credible and relevant.
Here at Linkbuilder, we specialize in helping you build a strong, effective backlink profile packed with high-authority dofollow links.
Are you ready to take your link-building strategy to the next level? Contact us today to get started with securing your dofollow backlinks and driving massive results for your website!