Before diving into rankings and strategies, it helps to start simple.
A dofollow backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another that tells search engines to “follow” the link and pass on authority, also known as link equity.
In plain terms, when a high-quality website links to yours using a dofollow tag, it signals to Google that your content is trustworthy and worth ranking higher.
That’s the core idea behind link building, not just getting mentions, but earning validation from credible sources.
Unlike nofollow links (which don’t pass authority), dofollow backlinks directly influence how your website appears in search results.
What Are Dofollow Links and How Do They Work?
Let’s start with the basics. A dofollow backlink is a standard hyperlink from one website to another that tells search engines to “follow” it. In other words, it passes ranking value, often called link equity, from the referring website to the linked page.
When a trusted, high-authority site includes a dofollow link to your content, Google interprets it as a signal of credibility. This link essentially says, “I vouch for this page,” which helps the linked site improve its authority and visibility in search results.
Here’s how it works technically:
- A dofollow link is written in normal HTML format:
<a href=”https://www.yourwebsite.com”>Your Link Text</a> - This allows search engines like Google to crawl from one website to another, transfer authority, and connect related content across the web.
- Each dofollow backlink contributes to your website’s overall PageRank (Google’s internal trust metric), which influences how prominently your pages appear in search results.
In short, dofollow backlinks act as digital endorsements. The more reputable websites that link to yours, the more confident Google becomes about your site’s reliability. That’s why earning quality backlinks is still one of the most effective ways to improve rankings in 2026.
Why Are Dofollow Backlinks Important for SEO?
Search engines like Google use dofollow backlinks as one of their strongest ranking signals. Every quality link pointing to your website acts as a vote of confidence, proving that your content is valuable, accurate, and worth referencing.
When a reputable site links to you, part of its authority, or link equity, flows through to your page. This process strengthens your own domain authority, helping your content appear higher in search results.
Here’s why they’re still critical to SEO success in 2026:
- They Build Trust and Credibility: Google’s algorithms see backlinks as peer recommendations. The more trustworthy the source, the stronger your ranking potential.
- They Improve Crawling and Indexing: Dofollow links guide search engine crawlers from one page to another, helping your new content get discovered faster.
- They Enhance Keyword Relevance: When backlinks come from pages related to your niche, they reinforce the topical focus of your website, a major factor in AI-driven search models.
- They Increase Referral Traffic: Beyond SEO value, backlinks also bring real visitors from other websites, boosting engagement and brand awareness.
Even as algorithms evolve, the foundation of search visibility remains the same: build authentic connections and earn dofollow backlinks from credible, contextually relevant sources.
How to Identify Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links
It’s easy to assume every link is valuable, but that’s not the case.
Here’s how to tell them apart:
- Dofollow links are standard HTML hyperlinks (<a href=”URL”>), with no additional attributes. They pass link equity to the target page.
- Nofollow links include the rel=”nofollow” tag, signaling to search engines not to pass ranking value.
You can check this by inspecting a webpage’s HTML or using free browser extensions. For effective SEO, your backlink profile should include a healthy mix, but a focus on quality dofollow backlinks is essential for growth.
How to Get Dofollow Backlinks in 2026
Building dofollow backlinks the right way takes strategy, patience, and credibility.
Gone are the days of link exchanges and spammy directories. Search engines now prioritize authenticity, user value, and relevance.
Here’s where to focus:
1. Publish High-Value, Shareable Content
The foundation of any link-building effort is great content. Create detailed guides, data studies, or tutorials that other websites naturally want to reference.
When your article becomes the “go-to” source on a topic, dofollow backlinks start coming organically.
2. Guest Posting on Authoritative Websites
Guest posting remains one of the most practical answers to how to get dofollow backlinks.
When you contribute expert insights to trusted blogs or media outlets, you can earn a relevant backlink within the author bio or article body, and position yourself as an industry thought leader in the process.
3. Leverage Industry Directories and Partnerships
If your business belongs to a professional association or B2B network, listing your site on verified directories provides legitimate dofollow backlinks.
Partnership collaborations, sponsorship pages, or vendor lists can also yield credible link placements that boost authority.
4. Build Local Links
For small and mid-sized companies using SEO services in Michigan, local backlinks are a game-changer.
Getting mentioned in Michigan-based business listings, local news stories, or chamber of commerce websites improves both regional SEO visibility and Google Business rankings.
5. Digital PR and Data-Driven Outreach
Modern link building is relationship-driven.
By pitching original research, expert commentary, or community projects to journalists and bloggers, you can secure dofollow backlinks from major publications.
These links often carry the highest authority and long-term trust value.
Quality Over Quantity: The New Rule for Backlinks
Google’s algorithm now evaluates backlink quality rather than volume.
One link from a respected domain (like a university, government, or leading publication) can outweigh hundreds of low-authority mentions.
When evaluating potential backlinks, consider:
- Domain Authority (DA) and page relevance
- Placement context — within content vs. footer
- Natural anchor text that fits the topic
It’s better to earn ten strong dofollow backlinks from trusted sources than a hundred from unrelated websites.
The Role of Dofollow Backlinks in AI Search Ranking
AI search models, like Google’s SGE and Bing Copilot, now assess authority based on entity trust and network relationships.
In simple terms, if authoritative websites consistently link back to your content, algorithms interpret your site as reliable, relevant, and worth surfacing in AI-generated answers.
That’s precisely why dofollow backlinks remain a central pillar of modern SEO strategy in 2026.
Boost Your Authority With Dofollow Backlinks — Great Lakes DP
Earning high-quality links isn’t about gaming the algorithm; it’s about building genuine authority and trust.
At Great Lakes DP, our team specializes in developing backlink strategies tailored to your brand’s goals and audience.
- We analyze your current link profile and remove harmful or low-value links.
- We identify authoritative sources and create outreach campaigns for dofollow backlinks that last.
- We integrate link-building with content strategy, technical SEO, and local visibility — especially for businesses using SEO services in Michigan.
If you’re ready to strengthen your website’s reputation and climb the rankings ethically, explore our advanced backlink and content strategies today.
FAQs About Dofollow Backlinks
1. What are Dofollow Backlinks in simple terms?
Dofollow backlinks are links from one website to another that pass on SEO value or “link equity.” They help Google recognize your website as trustworthy and improve search rankings.
2. Why do Dofollow Backlinks matter for SEO?
They boost your website’s authority, help search engines crawl your pages faster, and improve keyword relevance — all of which directly influence how high you rank in Google results.
3. How do I get Dofollow Backlinks for my website?
Create high-quality content, publish guest posts on reputable websites, collaborate with industry partners, and use digital PR strategies to earn natural dofollow backlinks over time.
4. What’s the difference between Dofollow and Nofollow Backlinks?
A dofollow link passes authority to your website and helps improve SEO, while a nofollow link tells search engines not to transfer link value. Both are useful for a balanced backlink profile.
5. Can too many Dofollow Backlinks hurt my rankings?
Quantity without quality can backfire. Links from irrelevant or spammy sites may trigger penalties. Focus on earning fewer but high-authority dofollow backlinks for sustainable growth.
6. Do Dofollow Backlinks still matter in 2026 with AI search updates?
Absolutely. Even with AI-driven ranking systems, Google still relies on backlinks to gauge trust and expertise. High-quality dofollow backlinks remain one of the strongest ranking signals.
