Introduction to Dofollow and Nofollow Tags
When it comes to SEO, the terms “dofollow” and “nofollow” are frequently mentioned. But what do these terms mean exactly? In simple terms, dofollow and nofollow are link attributes that determine how search engines view and treat the links on your website.
The Role of Search Engines in Crawling Websites
Search engines rely on links to navigate and explore the vast web. Their bots crawl through websites and follow links to discover new pages. This enables search engines to index and display websites as search results. However, this process is only possible if the links on a website are set as “dofollow”.
By default, all links in a WordPress blog are dofollow, although this may vary depending on the theme you are using. But what happens when a website doesn’t want to share its link juice or wants to prevent search engines from following certain links? This is where the “nofollow” attribute comes into play.
Understanding Nofollow Tag
When a link is marked as “nofollow” using the Meta Robot tag, search engine bots will not follow that link. This attribute is often used when linking to spam sites or when the link doesn’t align with the topic of the content. It helps prevent the flow of link juice from your website to potentially undesirable or irrelevant sources.
Pros and Cons of Dofollow Comments
Now that we understand the basics of dofollow and nofollow tags, let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of having a “dofollow” comment section on your blog.
Pros of Dofollow Comments:
- Increased engagement: Allowing dofollow links in comments can entice users to leave meaningful and valuable comments, fostering a sense of community and encouraging participation.
- Rewards for commenters: Dofollow links provide an incentive for readers to contribute to the conversation on your blog, by offering them an opportunity to gain a valuable backlink to their own website.
- Improved SEO: When reputable websites link back to your content through dofollow comments, it can positively impact your website’s search engine rankings.
Cons of Dofollow Comments:
- Spam comments: Opening your comment section to dofollow links may attract spammers looking to manipulate search engine rankings through spammy links.
- Link juice leakage: Linking out to numerous websites without using the nofollow attribute can dilute your website’s link juice, potentially impacting your PageRank and search visibility.
- Moderation challenges: Monitoring and filtering dofollow comments becomes crucial to prevent spam and maintain the quality of the conversation.
Making the Choice: Dofollow or Nofollow?
After weighing both sides of the coin, the decision ultimately rests with you as a blog owner. While dofollow comments offer potential benefits like increased engagement and improved SEO, they also come with the risk of attracting spam comments and link juice leakage.
Considering these factors, it is generally recommended to keep your blog comments as nofollow. This helps prevent spam comments.
