Link attribute NoFollow / DoFollow - explained simply and understandably

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an ever-growing field where details can make all the difference. One such detail is the careful use of link attributes. In this article we will specifically address the NoFollow link attribute. This small but powerful tool helps to control your website’s link juice behavior and thus optimize your position in search engine rankings. Our article will present you the meaning, functionality and application examples of the NoFollow attribute. In doing so, we will strive to create a better understanding of how to use it effectively in your SEO strategy.

Why the NoFollow attribute?

The NoFollow attribute is an instruction that signals search engine crawlers not to follow a link. It was originally introduced, according to Google, to minimize spamming techniques, but also plays a crucial role in search engine optimization. By setting this attribute you can prevent link juice from being passed on to less important or untrustworthy sites.

History and evolution

The NoFollow attribute was introduced by Google in 2005 as a joint initiative with Yahoo and Microsoft. The goal was to find a solution to the growing problem of comment spam on blogs. The NoFollow attribute has since evolved and is now used in a variety of use cases.

How the NoFollow attribute works

This special attribute is inserted directly into the HTML code. For example, if you have the following HTML link: <a href="https://beispielseite.de">Beispielseite</a>, then the application of the NoFollow attribute would look like this: <a href="https://beispielseite.de" rel="nofollow">Beispielseite</a>. By inserting rel="nofollow" The search engine crawler is informed not to follow the link.

Technical aspects

It is important to understand that the NoFollow attribute does not prevent the linked page from being indexed. It just prevents the link from being considered a recommendation. Search engines use this information to influence the ranking of the target website in search results.

When should you use NoFollow?

The use cases for the NoFollow attribute are diverse. It is useful for links that lead to pages whose content you cannot fully trust or control. For example in forums, comment sections or user-generated content.

Best practices

Best practices include using nofollow links in advertisements, press releases, and other commercial content. This ensures that your site complies with Google Webmaster Guidelines and avoids potential penalties.

Automatically flag nofollow links in specific areas

The ability to automatically set nofollow links is particularly useful in comment sections and forums. This means that all links in the main article can carry the link attribute you specified, while all links inserted in the comments are automatically marked as NoFollow. The implementation of this feature depends on the content management system used. Some systems already offer this setting by default, while others require an additional plugin installation. For WordPress users, the “Ultimate Nofollow” plugin is a recommended option. It not only supports mass labeling of links as NoFollow, but also individual settings for individual links.

NoFollow alternatives and further developments

After more than a decade of pure NoFollow use, Google has now presented alternatives and further developments. This includes the attributes rel="sponsored" for paid links and rel="ugc" for user-generated content. These offer more context and enable differentiated control of link juice.

NoFollow vs. DoFollow: What’s the difference?

A basic understanding of the difference between NoFollow and DoFollow is essential to your website’s effective link strategy. While the NoFollow attribute signals to search engines not to follow a link, a DoFollow link is the exact opposite. Here the search engine crawler is not given any specific instructions, which means that the link is usually followed and considered a recommendation. Relevance to Ranking DoFollow links are valuable from an SEO perspective because they pass on link juice and can therefore increase the authority of the linked page. NoFollow links, on the other hand, do not pass on link juice and do not directly influence the ranking of the target website. However, both types of links can play a role in a website’s natural link profile and thus indirectly influence rankings.

Future Developments in Link Attributes: What to Expect?

There is always a chance of introducing new link attributes, especially given the constant changes to the algorithms and specifications of search engines such as Google. However, it is difficult to say with certainty when and what new attributes might be added in the future. In order to stay up to date, it is advisable to keep an eye on the official communication channels of Google and other search engines. Important updates and new guidelines are usually announced there. In the fast-moving field of search engine optimization, adaptability and continuous training are essential. It is conceivable that specialized or more complex link attributes will be developed in the future. These could, for example, be used to give search engine crawlers more precise instructions or to react to new developments in the web environment. In this respect, it is important to always stay up to date and adapt your own SEO strategies accordingly. This concludes our overview of the NoFollow link attribute. This tool is much more than just an anti-spam tool; it is a central component in optimizing your website for search engines. By using it wisely, you can protect your site’s authority while ensuring your SEO strategy achieves the desired success. Knowledge and use of the NoFollow attribute is therefore a must for every webmaster and SEO specialist. It offers you the opportunity to consciously decide which links you want to follow and which not, thus allowing you to make your SEO strategy more precise and efficient.

The “noopener noreferrer” link attribute: security aspects independent of SEO

While NoFollow and DoFollow attributes are used specifically for SEO purposes, there are other link attributes that are important for security reasons. The attributes “noopener” and “noreferrer” belong to this category and are often automatically added by content management systems such as WordPress.

What does “noopener” and “noreferrer” mean?

The noopener attribute prevents the new page from having access to the original page’s Window object. This minimizes the risk of a so-called “tabnapping attack”. The additional value “noreferrer” goes one step further by ensuring that no referrer information is transferred when navigating to the new page. A typical example would be the following HTML link: <a href="https://externeseite.de" rel="noopener noreferrer">Externe Seite</a>

Why are these attributes important?

These two attributes contribute significantly to the security of a website. “noopener” protects against potentially malicious JavaScript code that could be executed in the linked page. “noreferrer” prevents the target website from gaining access to sensitive referrer information. Neither has anything directly to do with search engine optimization, but should still be taken into account in any comprehensive web strategy.

Not to be confused with NoFollow

It is important to understand that noopener and noreferrer do not have the same goal as the NoFollow attribute. While NoFollow controls the way search engine crawlers interpret a link, “noopener” and “noreferrer” serve to secure the user experience. In this respect, these attributes should not be seen as a replacement for SEO-specific attributes such as NoFollow or DoFollow.

Automatic addition in CMS

In many content management systems, especially WordPress, these attributes are automatically added to links that open in a new tab or window. This increases the security of the site without additional manual effort.