How to Find Dofollow Backlinks
Finding dofollow backlinks means identifying hyperlinks that lack a rel="nofollow", rel="ugc", or rel="sponsored" attribute, so they can pass link equity.
- Also called
- follow links
- Applies to
- backlink analysis, link building
- Commonly confused with
- nofollow links
Key points
- Check the HTML rel attribute of a link to confirm it is dofollow.
- Use backlink analysis tools to filter for follow/dofollow links in your profile.
- Analyse competitors' backlink profiles to find repeat dofollow sources.
- Focus on editorial placements such as guest posts, resource pages, and broken-link building.
- Avoid low-quality directory, forum, and comment links that are often nofollow.
Why it matters
Dofollow backlinks are one of the main ways authority and relevance signals can flow into a page, so identifying them correctly is essential for competitive SEO. If you misidentify a nofollow link as dofollow, you risk wasting effort on links that do not pass equity. On the other hand, ignoring nofollow links entirely can mean missing referral traffic, discovery, and a natural-looking link profile. The practical goal is to find relevant, editorially earned dofollow links, which requires understanding the rel attribute and using tools that can filter for follow status.
What it is not
- Assuming all backlinks are valuable without checking the rel attribute. The belief that any link helps rankings ignores the fact that nofollow, ugc, and sponsored links do not pass standard equity.
- Chasing low-quality directory, forum, or comment links. These are often nofollow or user-generated, so they are weak targets if your goal is purely to obtain dofollow equity.
- Using authority metrics alone to judge link value. Topical relevance, page quality, and editorial context matter more than a domain authority score.
- Thinking nofollow links are useless. They can still support traffic and discovery even when they do not pass standard link equity, and they contribute to a natural backlink profile.
Questions people ask
Do follow backlinks?
A dofollow backlink is a hyperlink without a rel="nofollow", rel="ugc", or rel="sponsored" attribute. It can pass ranking signals (link equity) from the linking page to the linked page. Dofollow backlinks are the default type of link and are the primary way that search engines discover and trust new pages.
Do follow link example?
An example of a dofollow link is a standard HTML anchor tag like <a href="https://example.com">Example</a> with no rel attribute. Another example is <a href="https://example.com" rel="alternate">Example</a> where the rel attribute is not one of nofollow, ugc, or sponsored. In both cases, the link can pass equity.
Do follow and no follow backlinks?
Dofollow backlinks pass link equity, while nofollow backlinks (using rel="nofollow") do not. Nofollow links still have SEO value through referral traffic, discovery, and a natural-looking link profile. Both types are important for a balanced backlink strategy, but dofollow links are the primary mechanism for transferring authority.
Sources
- Ahrefs — Dofollow Link glossary Clear definition and basic checking workflow for follow vs. nofollow links.
- Google Search Central Official guidance on rel attributes such as nofollow, sponsored, and ugc.
- Google Search Central Official SEO guidance on earning useful links and avoiding manipulative practices.
- SEOptimer — What are Dofollow Backlinks & 6 Ways to Get Them Practical methods for finding and building dofollow backlinks, including inspection and broken-link outreach.
- Linkscope: Benefits of link building Sophie de Vries on what dofollow discovery is for — and what it is not.
Written and maintained by Nora Lindholm. Last updated 27 July 2026.
Spotted an error? Email me — corrections are logged and credited on the entry. Outbound links are unpaid; most are nofollow.