Dofollow Links
Hyperlinks without a nofollow attribute that search crawlers follow and that count as a recommendation for the target page.
Also known as: Do-Follow Links, Follow Links
Dofollow links are the default form of linking on the web. Without a special attribute, search engines follow the link, index the target and treat the reference as a recommendation. They influence the ranking of the linked page and are a central element of search engine optimisation.
How dofollow links work technically
In HTML the link sits as a simple <a href="...">. When the attribute rel="nofollow" is absent, the crawler treats the link as follow by default. Search engines evaluate the link text, the context of the surrounding page and the strength of the linking domain. This mix forms part of the assessment that later feeds into ranking.
What to watch out for
Not every dofollow link weighs the same. Links from topically relevant and trustworthy sources help much more than many links from weak directories. Excessive link buying, link farms or unnatural anchor texts lead to penalties or loss of effect. A healthy mix of editorial mentions, expert articles, industry directories and partner links is the better long-term path.
In day to day SEO work
In practice this means producing content that others link to voluntarily and building relationships with topically relevant sites. When placing press releases, guest articles or expert content, pay attention to a fitting anchor text and a clear thematic context. For ad links and paid cooperations, labelling as a sponsored link is mandatory, both legally and under the guidelines of the major search engines.