Dofollow Backlinks: What They Are, How to Check Them, and Where to Get Them in 2026

Most SEOs spend years building backlinks. But few stop to think about which links actually count.

The truth is, not every backlink passes SEO value.

Dofollow backlinks do. And they're the type that actually moves rankings.

If you want to grow your site through SEO, you need to know which links pass authority, how to check them, and where to get them without burning months on the wrong sources.

At ReputePost.com, we help SEOs and agencies build high quality dofollow backlinks through guest posts, niche edits, and white label services. But before you pick a source, let's first cover what dofollow backlinks are and how they actually work.

So, let's begin.

What is a dofollow backlink?

A dofollow backlink is a link from one website to another that passes SEO value to the target page.

It tells search engines like Google to follow the link and count it as a vote of confidence.

By default, every link on the internet is dofollow. You don't need to add anything special for a link to behave this way.

Here's what a dofollow link looks like in HTML:

<a href="https://yourwebsite.com">Click here</a>

Notice there's no "rel" attribute. That's it. That's a dofollow link.

If a webmaster wants to stop the link from passing SEO value, they add rel="nofollow" to the tag. Without that tag, the link passes link juice naturally.

Dofollow vs nofollow backlinks: the difference

These two are the most common link types you'll deal with.

Here's a quick comparison:

Dofollow links are the ones that actually move your rankings on Google.

Nofollow links don't pass link juice. But they still bring referral traffic, brand exposure, and balance to your link profile. We've covered this in detail in our guide on nofollow backlinks.

If your link profile only has nofollow links, your rankings won't move much. You need dofollow links in the mix.

For the full breakdown of how Google reads different link types, check our guide on link attributes in SEO.

Why dofollow backlinks matter for SEO

Dofollow backlinks do one thing no other link type can do. They pass link juice.

Link juice is the SEO value that flows from one page to another through a link. Google uses this signal to decide which pages deserve to rank higher.

When a high authority site gives you a dofollow link, some of its authority flows to your page.

The more authoritative the linking site, the more link juice you get.

This is why one dofollow link from a DR 70 site can outperform fifty links from low authority sites.

Dofollow backlinks also help with:

• Higher domain authority over time
• Faster indexing of new pages
• Better rankings on competitive keywords
• More organic traffic to your money pages

If you're trying to grow your site through search, dofollow links are not optional. They're the backbone of SEO.

How to check if a link is dofollow

There are three easy ways to check.

Method 1: Inspect element. Right click on any link and select "Inspect." Look at the HTML code. If you don't see rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc", the link is dofollow.

Method 2: Browser extensions. Tools like "NoFollow" or "Strike Out NoFollow Links" highlight all nofollow links on a page with a red border. Anything not highlighted is dofollow.

Method 3: Free dofollow backlink checker tools. Tools like Ahrefs Backlink Checker, Semrush, and LinkMiner show whether each backlink in your profile is dofollow or nofollow.

For checking individual links, the browser inspect method is fastest. For analyzing a full backlink profile, use one of the SEO tools.

Where to get dofollow backlinks

This is the part most people care about.

There's no shortage of websites that give dofollow backlinks. But not every source is worth your time.

Here are the main categories of dofollow backlinks, ranked roughly by quality.

1. Editorial links from high authority sites

These are the strongest dofollow backlinks you can get. A writer or editor includes your link inside their article because it adds value to the content.

Editorial links are hard to earn. But they pass the most authority of any link type.

To get more of these, your content has to be worth referencing. We've covered the full playbook in our guide on editorial links.

2. Guest post backlinks

A guest post is when you write content for another site and include your link inside it.

Most guest posts give dofollow backlinks by default. But you need to confirm this before you publish, since some sites mark guest contributions as nofollow.

Guest posting works for any niche. The key is to pick sites that are relevant, have real traffic, and don't accept just anyone.

For a full breakdown, read our introduction to guest posting guide.

If you want to skip the outreach work, our guest post marketplace connects you with vetted sites across thousands of niches.

3. Niche edits on existing articles

A niche edit is when an editor adds your link to an article that's already published and ranking.

These are some of the fastest dofollow backlinks you can get. The page already has authority. Your link inherits part of that authority the moment it goes live.

ReputePost offers niche edits on high authority sites that aren't usually open for guest posting.

4. Resource page links

Resource pages list helpful links on a specific topic. Think "best SEO tools" or "free design resources."

Most resource pages give dofollow links. You just need to find pages relevant to your niche and pitch your link as a useful addition.

This works best when you have a real resource worth listing. A blog post, a free tool, a calculator, or a detailed guide.

5. Broken link building

Broken link building is one of the cleanest ways to earn dofollow backlinks.

You find a broken link on another site, reach out, and suggest your page as a replacement.

The webmaster fixes their broken link. You get a dofollow backlink. Everyone wins.

Read our full guide on broken backlinks to learn how to find and use them properly.

6. Forum backlinks

Most forums mark outbound links as nofollow by default. But some niche forums still pass dofollow links, especially if you have an established profile with real contributions.

The trick is to find forums where your link adds real value to a discussion. Spammy forum profiles get deleted fast.

For a deeper look at this, check our guide on forum backlinks.

7. Comment backlinks

Comment sections on blogs sometimes pass dofollow links. But most don't anymore.

If you find one that does, leave a thoughtful comment that adds to the discussion. Don't drop a link and run.

Read our guide on comment backlinks for the full strategy.

8. Directory submissions

Some directories still pass dofollow links. The trick is picking the right ones.

Avoid generic directories with thousands of unrelated listings and no editorial control. Look for niche specific directories with real traffic and curation.

Our guide on directory backlinks covers which directories are actually worth your time.

9. Web 2.0 backlinks

Web 2.0 platforms like Medium, Tumblr, and Blogger give dofollow links by default.

These are easy to set up. But they don't carry much authority unless the parent platform itself is strong and your specific page builds its own signals.

Use them as a foundation, not as your main strategy. Read our guide on web 2.0 backlinks for the right approach.

10. Profile creation sites

Sites like Crunchbase, About.me, Behance, GitHub, and a few others let you create a profile with a link to your website.

Most of these pass dofollow links. They're low effort. But they're also low value on their own.

These work best as foundational links to round out a new site's profile, not as your main link building strategy.

How to get dofollow backlinks fast

If you need dofollow backlinks quickly, the options narrow down.

Earning links naturally takes months. Cold outreach campaigns take weeks. Some methods are quicker but still need consistency.

Here are the fastest paths to real dofollow backlinks.

1. Buy editorial placements. Niche edits on existing high authority pages are the fastest dofollow backlinks you can get. The page already ranks. The placement is editorial. The link passes link juice from day one.

2. Use a vetted guest post marketplace. Instead of cold pitching dozens of sites, work with a marketplace that has vetted sites ready to publish. You skip the outreach, content negotiation, and waiting period.

3. Pitch to resource pages with a real asset. If you have a real asset like a free tool, original data, or a detailed guide, resource page owners are usually quick to respond.

These three paths combined can build a solid dofollow backlink profile in weeks instead of months.

Are LinkedIn links dofollow?

No. LinkedIn marks all outbound links as nofollow.

This includes links in your profile, posts, and articles published on LinkedIn.

Other major social platforms work the same way. Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram also mark outbound links as nofollow by default.

The reason is simple. These platforms don't want to pass authority to external sites at scale. They'd rather keep users on their own apps.

That said, links from these platforms still bring referral traffic, brand exposure, and visibility. They just don't pass SEO value directly.

How many dofollow backlinks do you need to rank?

There's no fixed number.

It depends on your niche, your competitors, the keyword, and your existing authority.

For low competition keywords, even five to ten high quality dofollow backlinks can move you to page one.

For competitive keywords, you may need fifty or more strong dofollow links pointing to that specific page.

The honest answer is that quality matters more than quantity. One dofollow link from a DR 70 site outperforms thirty links from DR 20 sites.

For a deeper look, read our guide on how many backlinks you actually need to rank.

Are all dofollow backlinks worth getting?

No. This is where most SEOs go wrong.

A dofollow link from a spammy, irrelevant, or low traffic site can actually hurt your rankings.

Before you build or buy any dofollow backlink, check the following:

Domain authority and traffic. Use Ahrefs or Semrush to check the site's DR and organic traffic. A high DR with no real traffic is a red flag.

Niche relevance. The site should be related to your industry. A backlink from a fitness blog won't help an SEO agency, no matter the DR.

Editorial quality. The site should publish real content with real editors and writers. Not auto generated articles or PBN networks.

Outbound link profile. Check how many sites the page is already linking out to. A page linking to fifty unrelated sites isn't worth a placement.

For a complete framework on this, check our guide on building relevant backlinks.

Dofollow backlinks for agencies

If you're running an SEO agency, building dofollow backlinks at scale is a constant grind.

You have multiple clients. Each one needs different anchor text, topics, and target sites. And every link has to pass quality checks before it ships to the client.

Most agencies outsource this part. Our white label link building service handles outreach, content, and dofollow placements under your brand.

Your client sees clean reports. You keep the margin. The work happens behind the scenes.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few things kill dofollow backlink campaigns.

1. Chasing volume over quality. Fifty dofollow links from weak sites won't outrank one strong editorial link.

2. Using the same anchor text every time. Google flags over optimized anchor profiles. Mix exact match, branded, and generic anchors.

3. Building only one type of link. A profile that's 100% guest posts looks unnatural. Mix editorial, niche edits, resource links, and other types.

4. Ignoring nofollow links completely. A natural profile has both. If everything is dofollow, it looks built. A mix is normal.

5. Buying from cheap services. PBNs, link farms, and bulk packages look attractive on price but bring penalties down the line.

Wrapping up

Dofollow backlinks are the foundation of any real SEO strategy.

They pass link juice. They build authority. They move rankings.

But not every dofollow backlink is worth chasing. The strongest results come from editorial placements, guest posts, niche edits, and resource links on relevant high authority sites.

If you're just starting, focus on building a foundation through profile sites, web 2.0 platforms, and a few guest posts. As your site grows, shift toward editorial placements and niche edits.

If you're scaling for an agency, outsource the heavy lifting and focus on strategy.

The path to ranking on Google isn't shorter for anyone. But knowing where to focus your effort makes the difference between months of work that goes nowhere and a backlink profile that actually ranks.

Frequently asked questions

What is a dofollow backlink?

A dofollow backlink is a link from one website to another that passes SEO value, also called link juice. It's the default behavior for all links on the web. A link only becomes nofollow if the webmaster adds rel="nofollow" to the HTML tag.

How can I get more dofollow links?

The most reliable ways are guest posts, niche edits, editorial mentions, resource page links, and broken link building. For faster results, you can buy editorial placements through a vetted marketplace instead of doing cold outreach.

What's the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks?

Dofollow links pass link juice and boost rankings. Nofollow links don't pass link juice but still bring referral traffic and brand exposure. Both types belong in a healthy backlink profile.

Are LinkedIn links dofollow?

No. LinkedIn marks all outbound links as nofollow, whether they appear in profiles, posts, or articles. The same applies to most major social platforms including Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Are dofollow backlinks always better?

Not always. A dofollow link from a spammy or irrelevant site can hurt your rankings. A nofollow link from a high authority relevant site can be more valuable than a dofollow link from a weak one.

Can I buy dofollow backlinks safely?

Yes, if you buy from vetted sources with real editorial standards. At ReputePost, every dofollow placement on our marketplace and niche edit inventory goes through quality checks before it ships to the buyer.

How do I check if a backlink is dofollow?

Right click the link and choose "Inspect." If the HTML doesn't include rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored", or rel="ugc", the link is dofollow. Tools like Ahrefs and Semrush also show this in your backlink reports.

Are free dofollow backlinks worth getting?

Some are. Profile sites, web 2.0 platforms, and a few niche forums give free dofollow backlinks. But the quality varies. Use them as a foundation for a new site, not as the main strategy for a growing one.