Links and authority
Nofollow link
Also called rel=nofollow, rel=sponsored, rel=ugc
A nofollow link carries a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to pass ranking credit through it. Google treats it as a hint rather than a strict rule.
When to use it
- Paid or sponsored links: use rel="sponsored".
- Links in comments or forums: use rel="ugc".
- Links you don't want to vouch for: use rel="nofollow".
Are nofollow links worthless?
No. They can still send visitors, build brand awareness and lead to followed links later. A natural link profile includes both.
Frequently asked questions
Most social platforms add nofollow to links. They're still useful for traffic and visibility.
No. Internal links should normally be followed, so authority flows through your site.