Every backlink you earn falls into one of a few categories, and which one matters more than most people think. Here's the actual mechanic, not just the textbook definition.
The basic difference
A dofollow link is the default. It tells search engines to follow the link and pass ranking signal to the destination page. A nofollow link carries a rel="nofollow" attribute telling search engines not to pass that signal, originally used for untrusted or paid links.
What changed in 2019
Google introduced two more specific attributes: rel="sponsored" for paid or affiliate links, and rel="ugc" for user-generated content like blog comments and forum posts. Nofollow itself shifted from a strict instruction to a "hint," meaning Google may still choose to consider nofollow links in some contexts. This matters because a properly disclosed sponsored post should carry the sponsored attribute, not a generic nofollow or, worse, no attribute at all.
Why nofollow links still matter
A backlink profile made up entirely of dofollow links from guest posts looks unnatural. Real websites accumulate a mix: some dofollow editorial links, some nofollow social shares, some ugc-tagged forum mentions. A healthy link building campaign includes both, not just the ones that pass direct authority.
How to check which type you're getting
View the page source of any placement and search for your link. No rel attribute means dofollow by default. Any legitimate guest post or niche edit provider should tell you upfront which type each placement carries.
Questions readers ask us
They can contribute to a natural-looking backlink profile and drive referral traffic, even without passing direct ranking authority.
No. An all-dofollow profile from paid placements looks manipulated. A natural mix is healthier.
Sponsored specifically marks paid or affiliate links. Nofollow is the general-purpose hint. Using sponsored correctly on paid content is what Google's guidelines actually require.
