Dofollow backlinks are the currency of trust on the internet. They signal authority, influence rankings, and remain central to Google’s algorithm — even in 2025. But how exactly do they work, and how do you earn them without risking penalties?
The deeper you look into link building, the more complex it becomes. It’s not just about getting links — it’s about getting the right links, from the right sources, in the right way.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about dofollow backlinks: what they are, why they matter, how to earn them ethically, and what’s changed in the SEO landscape as we head deeper into a world shaped by AI, automation, and stricter ranking systems.
Whether you’re a startup founder aiming for your first page-one keyword, a digital marketer refining your link-building process, or an enterprise SEO leader aiming to accelerate growth, this guide is your compass.
What are Dofollow Backlinks and How Do They Work?
A dofollow backlink is a link that tells search engines to follow it and pass authority to the linked site. This simple instruction can directly influence rankings – but there’s more nuance under the surface.
When one website links to another using a standard HTML anchor tag (without a rel=”nofollow” attribute), search engines interpret that link as a signal of trust. These are “dofollow” by default, and they effectively tell Google, “I vouch for this content.”
That trust carries weight. Dofollow links pass PageRank, the foundational metric Google originally used to measure site authority. While PageRank is no longer visible publicly, it’s still very much alive under the hood — and dofollow backlinks remain one of the key ways it’s distributed.
In a world where content is easy to produce and harder to rank, Google relies on these links as independent, off-site validation of content quality. The more authoritative the linking site, the more “SEO juice” is passed to the linked page.
Rich Media: Link Type Comparison
| Link Type | Passes Authority? | Indexed by Google? | Use Case |
| Dofollow | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Ranking, trust, authority |
| Nofollow | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Sponsored, UGC, blog comments |
| Sponsored | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Paid/sponsored content |
| UGC | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Forums, user comments |
It’s also important to note: search engines treat dofollow links differently depending on context. A link from the New York Times will carry more weight than a new blog, even if both are dofollow. That’s where domain authority, topical relevance, and link placement come into play.
To sum up: dofollow backlinks are digital endorsements. They’re a core part of Google’s algorithm — and your site’s ability to rank likely depends on them.
How To Get Dofollow Backlinks the Right Way
Getting dofollow backlinks isn’t about gaming Google – it’s about creating link-worthy content and building relationships that scale. The best dofollow links aren’t bought or begged for. They’re earned through value and white hat link building strategies.
The most effective white hat strategies in 2025 blend content quality, digital PR, outreach, and link-worthy assets. Search engines have become better at evaluating link context and intent.
That means tactics like link farms, comment spam, and even “okay-ish” guest posts no longer cut it. If you’re serious about dofollow backlinks, your link-building process needs to be built on relevance, authority, and trust.
Rich Media: 5 White-Hat Tactics to Earn Dofollow Links
| Tactic | Why It Works |
| Digital PR & Data Campaigns | Earns links from major publications with original stats |
| Guest Posting on Authoritative Sites | Builds links from relevant blogs with real traffic |
| Skyscraper Technique | Improves existing content and earns links from similar pages |
| Resource Page Outreach | Leverages existing curated content hubs |
| Link Reclamation | Fixes broken or unlinked mentions with minimal friction |
Mini Case Study:
A SaaS brand launched a study on “Remote Work Productivity” with 1,200 survey respondents. They created a blog post, infographic, and PDF report. Within 30 days, they earned 60+ dofollow links – including from HubSpot and TechCrunch – using targeted outreach and press release distribution.
But even small brands can win. You don’t need a massive report. Even a well-written blog post with proprietary insights or expert quotes can attract links – if you position it right.
And remember: not all dofollow backlinks are created equal. A contextual link inside a relevant article on a DA 70+ site is infinitely more powerful than a random blog sidebar link.
Once your strategy is in place, tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and BuzzStream can help you scale with outreach, monitor links, and identify prospects worth chasing.
Also, don’t forget to tap into vertical SEO networks – if you’re in fintech, Blue Tree’s fintech marketing services can help you align link acquisition with industry context, increasing topical relevance and EEAT signals.
Why Are Dofollow Backlinks Important for SEO?
Dofollow backlinks are crucial because they directly influence a website’s search engine rankings, trustworthiness, and domain authority. Here’s why they’re at the heart of modern SEO:
When you acquire a dofollow backlink, you’re essentially receiving a “vote of confidence” from another website. Search engines like Google see these links as signals of quality, relevance, and trust. In fact, they are one of the most critical ranking factors, as evidenced by several Google algorithm updates that prioritize link-based authority.
Rich Media: SEO Ranking Factors Comparison (2025)
| Ranking Factor | Importance | Source |
| Backlinks (Dofollow) | High | Moz |
| Content Quality (E-A-T) | High | Google Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines |
| User Experience (Core Web Vitals) | Medium | Google Search Central |
| On-Page SEO (Keywords) | Medium | SEMrush |
| Site Architecture & Navigation | Medium | Google Search Central |
Link Authority and PageRank
While PageRank isn’t publicly visible anymore, the core concept remains integral. Google still uses the authority passed from one site to another through backlinks.
Sites with a high domain authority (DA) and relevant, high-quality content are able to pass more authority through their dofollow links than those with lower DA. Therefore, acquiring backlinks from authoritative sources in your niche can significantly improve your rankings for competitive keywords.
For example, imagine you’re in the health industry. A dofollow link from a trusted site like WebMD, Mayo Clinic, or a prominent health blog is worth far more than a link from a random directory. These authoritative links boost your site’s credibility and help you rank higher in relevant search results.
Google’s Trust Signals: The Role of Dofollow Links in Ranking
Links are how Google trusts a site. Trust is a ranking signal that directly affects how a page performs in search results. A site with multiple high-quality dofollow backlinks is seen as more trustworthy by Google.
Over time, these backlinks accumulate trust, resulting in improved search engine visibility, especially for competitive keywords.
A real-world example?
In 2023, Ahrefs conducted a study that showed that sites with a higher number of high-quality backlinks experienced significantly better performance in search results, compared to those with fewer links, even when they had solid on-page SEO and content.
Do Dofollow Backlinks Still Matter in 2025?
Yes, dofollow backlinks still matter in 2025, but their impact has evolved. With the rise of artificial intelligence, advanced algorithms, and more sophisticated ranking signals, backlinks remain one of the most powerful SEO tools available – albeit with a twist.
Over the years, Google has refined its algorithms to prioritize contextual relevance and content quality in addition to the number of backlinks. While backlinks still play a central role in SEO, Google now focuses more on the intent behind a backlink, rather than just the sheer quantity.
Today’s search engine landscape is shaped by expertise, authority, and trust (E-A-T), and dofollow backlinks contribute significantly to this. Links coming from authoritative sources in your niche can still give you a major SEO advantage.
However, in 2025, quality matters more than ever. A backlink from a reputable, authoritative site will likely outweigh dozens of links from lower-quality, unrelated sources.
The Shift Toward Quality and Relevance
Previously, SEO tactics like link farms or acquiring links at scale might have boosted rankings, but today, Google penalizes these practices. With the help of AI and sophisticated algorithms like RankBrain and BERT, Google now evaluates backlinks for relevance and context.
For instance, a dofollow link from a tech blog is much more valuable to a software company than a link from a general news outlet. Relevance and topical authority are now paramount.
This shift also means that sites in competitive industries need to focus on getting links from authoritative sites with high domain authority (DA). Earning high-quality, dofollow backlinks has become a deliberate, strategic effort in 2025, rather than a byproduct of aggressive link-building.
The Increasing Importance of Content & Link Context
Content quality, combined with the right contextual placement of backlinks, is now a higher priority. It’s not just about getting any dofollow link – it’s about placing those links within relevant, in-depth content that directly answers user queries.
Links embedded within authoritative, well-researched content carry more weight than a simple link placed in a blog sidebar or footer.
What’s the Difference Between Dofollow and Nofollow Links?
Dofollow links pass authority and help boost search engine rankings. Nofollow links, on the other hand, tell search engines not to follow the link or pass any authority.
So, why do nofollow links still matter?
- Traffic Generation: Even though nofollow links don’t pass authority, they still drive traffic to your site.
- Brand Exposure: A nofollow link from a trusted source can boost brand visibility, even without directly impacting SEO.
In 2025, both dofollow and nofollow links play important roles in a balanced, sustainable link-building strategy. While dofollow links are still essential for ranking, nofollow links should not be ignored as they can support traffic growth and enhance brand presence.
How To Check if a Link is Dofollow
Knowing whether a link is dofollow or nofollow can be critical when analyzing your backlink profile or conducting outreach. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to check:
- Right-click and inspect: In most browsers, right-click the link and click “Inspect.” Look for the link’s HTML code. If it includes rel=”nofollow”, the link is nofollow. If it’s absent, the link is dofollow.
- Use browser extensions: Tools like SEOquake and MozBar can show you whether a link is dofollow or nofollow directly within the browser interface.
- Use backlink checker tools: Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Majestic allow you to analyze your backlinks and see whether they are dofollow or nofollow.
Do’s and Don’ts of Building Dofollow Backlinks
Do’s:
- Focus on quality content: Provide value with your content. The more value it offers, the more likely others will link to it.
- Build relationships: Network with industry influencers and thought leaders to earn high-quality backlinks.
- Guest post on authoritative sites: Contribute insightful articles to reputable blogs in your niche.
- Leverage content promotion: Share your content on social media, forums, and with influencers to naturally earn dofollow backlinks.
Don’ts:
- Avoid black-hat link-building tactics: Do not purchase backlinks, participate in link farms, or engage in any form of manipulative link schemes.
- Don’t neglect relevance: Ensure the links you earn are contextually relevant to your industry and niche.
- Don’t overdo it: A few high-quality links are more valuable than hundreds of irrelevant ones.
What Tools Can Help You Build and Track Dofollow Backlinks?
Several tools can assist in building, monitoring, and analyzing your backlink profile:
- Ahrefs: Excellent for discovering backlink opportunities and tracking your link-building progress.
- SEMrush: Provides a comprehensive view of your backlink profile and competitive link analysis.
- BuzzStream: A tool designed for outreach and relationship management, helping you earn quality backlinks.
- Moz: Offers tools for tracking your site’s domain authority, backlinks, and link-building opportunities.
- Linkody: A simpler tool that helps track your backlinks and monitor whether they are dofollow or nofollow.
These tools not only help identify dofollow opportunities but also track your efforts over time, ensuring you’re on the right path to a high-authority backlink profile.
Conclusion: The Future of Dofollow Backlinks & Next Steps
Dofollow backlinks continue to play a pivotal role in SEO, but the key to success in 2025 lies in building strategic, high-quality links from authoritative sources. As Google’s algorithms grow more sophisticated, the value of relevance, quality content, and ethical link-building will only increase. Focus on creating content that naturally attracts backlinks and building relationships that foster long-term SEO benefits.
By focusing on quality over quantity and leveraging the best practices discussed here, you’ll be well-positioned to earn and maintain valuable dofollow backlinks that will propel your site’s rankings.
FAQs About Dofollow Backlinks
What is a dofollow backlink in SEO?
A dofollow backlink is a link from one website to another that passes authority and helps improve the linked website’s SEO rankings.
How can I tell if a link is dofollow or nofollow?
Use browser tools like “Inspect” to check the HTML or use SEO extensions like SEOquake or MozBar to identify link attributes.
Are dofollow backlinks better than nofollow links?
Yes, dofollow backlinks pass authority and influence rankings, whereas nofollow links do not.
Can dofollow links hurt your site?
If acquired through unethical methods or low-quality sources, dofollow links can lead to penalties or harm your SEO.
How many dofollow backlinks do I need to rank?
The number of dofollow backlinks required depends on the competition for the target keywords, but quality and relevance matter more than sheer quantity.
Where can I get free dofollow backlinks?
You can get free dofollow backlinks by contributing guest posts, engaging in outreach, or leveraging content partnerships with authoritative sites.
What anchor text should I use for dofollow links?
Use natural, relevant anchor text that aligns with the target page’s content, avoiding over-optimization or keyword stuffing.
Does Google still value dofollow links in 2025?
Yes, dofollow links are still important for SEO in 2025, especially those from authoritative, relevant sources in your niche.
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