Follow / Nofollow
HTML attributes that tell Google whether to count a link toward rankings.
The Tradie Take
A "follow" link is like a direct referral from a mate: "Call Dave, he's a great sparky." A "nofollow" link is like seeing a business name on a sign - you might go check them out, but nobody's personally vouching for them. Both can bring you customers, but only the direct referral builds your reputation.
Definition
Follow and nofollow are attributes you can add to a link that tell Google how to treat it. A "follow" link (the default) passes authority from the linking site to yours - it helps your SEO. A "nofollow" link tells Google not to pass authority. Most links you can control (like comments, forum signatures, or sponsored posts) should be nofollow. Natural editorial links from other sites are usually follow.
How It Works
- 1 Follow links pass "link juice" - they help the linked page rank better
- 2 Nofollow links don't pass authority - they exist for traffic/referrals but not SEO
- 3 Google uses nofollow for paid links, user-generated content, and untrusted sources
- 4 A natural link profile has a mix of both follow and nofollow links
Tips for Tradies
- Don't worry about nofollow links - they still bring traffic and look natural
- Make sure any paid or sponsored links use nofollow to avoid Google penalties
- Focus on earning natural follow links through great content and genuine relationships