Nofollow is a value assigned to an HTML element. This can be various things, for example, anchor text, but also an image with a source. It indicates that the destination of the web link will not receive any additional benefit from the mention. For example, because you used the link to indicate a source, but see no other reason to offer them extra recognition. The Nofollow mention was primarily created to prevent spam in blog articles. Nowadays, this value is used more often for other purposes. Unfortunately, Nofollow values are sometimes applied incorrectly. Moreover, Google has adjusted its algorithm such that a nofollow link can even have a negative impact on the website. Therefore, it is important to know what nofollow is exactly, when to apply it, and what this actually has to do with Search engine optimization.
Nofollow, translated from Dutch, means ‘do not follow.’ It is therefore a link that the webmaster prefers not to be followed or for extra value to be given to the destination. Nofollow is the opposite of a Dofollow value. This is added to HTML elements that the webmaster specifically wants to affect the site's value.
The Nofollow value was only introduced a short time ago. It was developed around 2005 and was initially intended to combat spam in blogs. Many people had started posting comments on blog articles with links to their own websites. As a result, many sites were given undue authority without actually earning it. Google decided this was not a fair way to achieve a higher ranking in search results. Therefore, they decided to add an extra value to such HTML elements. Now that webmasters have the option to add a nofollow link, it will cause a HTML link that appears on a page, no longer counting towards Google ranking value.
Normally, links would ‘tag along’ on the success of certain blogs or articles. This is due to the so-called ‘linkjuice’Using a nofollow link, that is no longer possible.
Not every website appreciates the use of a nofollow value. Especially not when it means a website achieves a higher position than the source, simply by adding nofollow links. This is clearly seen with Wikipedia, for example. It is one of the most used sites for reference works. Wikipedia uses many references to add credibility to its information. However, links from outside Wikipedia almost always receive a nofollow link. This is why Wikipedia often ranks at the top of search results. Even above its own sources. Therefore, a nofollow link can negatively affect the source's findability.
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