Google Nofollow attribute firstly introduced in 2005. Initially, nofollow meta tags are used to fight spammy links that manipulate rankings in search engines. Overnight, it appeared as the best Google’s approach to identify advertising related or sponsored links.
In March 2020, Google announced big changes in nofollow with two new rel link attributes – sponsored and ugc. Now, all these three linking attributes will be considered as hints to identify links to ignore as ranking signals.
It is really important to know when or when not to use the nofollow attribute, if you worry about your website’s performance in search engines.
Here, in this blog, we will understand how nofollow helps SEO and how to use these nofollow linking attributes in a correct way to avoid Google penalty.
First, let’s cover the basics –
Google’s objective is to make a clear understanding about linking attributes rel=”nofollow” rel=”sponsored” and rel=”ugc”, which are used by google search console to come up with additional and more descriptive information about the type of links.
rel="nofollow"
Make use of this linking property to link a web page but do not want to pass ranking signals or link juice and ignore the link for indexing. After nofollow update this attribute is working as a hint instead of a directive.
rel=“sponsored”
Analyse the links on websites that are placed for monetary benefits such as promotional, advertisements, sponsored or various paid agreements where one pays another for the link.
rel=“ugc”
UGC represents User Generated content. This linking attribute is advised to use within user generated content such as blog comments, forum postings, or other ways where websites allow users to create content that carry links.
Nofollow, Sponsored, & UGC Link Attributes Impact On SEO
Linking Attributes Are Still Crucial
To protect your website from the possible link penalties, it is necessary to flag ads and sponsored links. Google favors the use of rel=”sponsored” but rel=”nofollow” will also work.
Changes In Existing Attributes - Not Needed
All these rel link attributes are now treated as hints for google search engine ranking. Anyhow, Google update has confirmed that it is not essential to replace previous nofollow links.
In case, you have used the nofollow attribute for any important webpage to stop googlebot from crawling and indexing, you can take advantage of “noindex meta tag” or “robots.txt” disallow rule.
Uses Of Rel Linking Attributes
rel Value
Description
No value
Link without any rel value is considered as a regular link by google search engine. Here you don’t need to add rel attribute.
Example –
I love <a href=”https://www.xyz.com/mozzarella”> mozzarella</a> cheese.
rel="sponsored"
Considered links as advertisements or paid placements (generally known as paid links)
Example –
I love to <a href=”https://www.xyz.com/shoes” rel=”sponsored”>Buy Shoes</a>.
rel="ugc"
Use rel=”ugc” if user generated content carries irrelevant links in comments or forum posts.
Example –
Read more about <a href=”https://www.xyz.com/blog/content-spam” rel=”ugc”>avoiding content spam</a>.
rel="nofollow"
Use rel=”nofollow” when other attributes are not applicable. Google will not crawl that webpage. If you want to apply nofollow within your website, use noindex meta tag or robots.txt.
Example –
<a href=”https://www.xyz.com/” rel=”nofollow”> external link</a>.
Multiple values
One can use multiple rel values with a space- or comma-separated list.
Examples –
I love <a href=”https://www.xyz.com/mozzarella” rel=”ugc nofollow”> mozzarella</a> cheese.
I hate <a href=”https://www.xyz.com/”feta_cheese” rel=”ugc,nofollow”>Feta</a> cheese.
![Nofollow, Sponsored, & UGC Link Markup Attributes Impact On SEO](https://adbizzo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nofollow-Sponsored-UGC-Link-Markup-Attributes-Impact-On-SEO-683x1024.png)
We will advise you to follow the new rel linking structure to give Google a better understanding of your web content and links and improve your ranking chances.
These updated rel attributes will create some questionnaires for every marketer, So, here are some FAQs that answer most of your questions.
Can Google Penalize Your Website For Not Marking Paid Links?
Yes, Your website can be penalized under link scheme penalties for not marking promotional links. Google suggests to use either rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow”, but not rel=”ugc” for paid links across the content.
In case, visitors add their affiliate link or any paid link in their content or comment, you can use rel=”nofollow ugc” or rel=”sponsored ugc”.
Can Nofollow Attribute Control Crawling Indexing?
Nofollow is an extremely poor approach to avoid Google from indexing website’s content. Many SEO persons use nofollow on large websites to avoid long redirection chains, manage site structure, internal linking and preserve crawl budget.
We recommend you to use some other seo techniques such as “noindex” & “robots.txt disallow”.
Is There Any Need To Change Nofollow Attribute For Sponsored Links?
No. You can use nofollow as a flagging approach to protect websites from viable link scheme penalties. There is no need to change any existing markup attributes. Still, we suggest you change your markup from rel=”nofollow” to rel=”sponsored”.
Why Should I Implement Any Of New Markup Attributes?
New rel markup attributes empower Google for better link processing and analysis across the web. It can also have your web content, if users who add a link to your webpage make use of rel linking methods.
The all the all the moreover obliging your look, the better orchestrating up will you have with your get-together of onlookers. Tobye Stanton Torey
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it. Caralie Waverley Lesley
A big thank you for your article post. Really thank you! Fantastic. Cami Boony Quinn
Hi there, I found your blog by means of Google at the same time as looking for a similar matter, your web site came up, it appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks. Aleece Gayelord Candide
There is clearly a bundle to identify about this. I believe you made certain good points in features also. Aimil Giacobo Lanfri Adelheid Lyn Fronniah
Some genuinely select posts on this internet site , saved to favorites . Kikelia Friedrich Garland
You completed a few good points there. I did a search on the subject and found a good number of folks will have the same opinion with your blog. Fay Benjie Chenay Lizzie Rustie Aggie
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Thank you for providing these details. Anica Louis London
You made some good points there. I checked on the web for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site. Lesly Oates Mitchell
Excellent write-up. I absolutely love this site. Continue the good work! Odelle Barry Cecil
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your feedback. Dulcine Woodman Loralyn
Tips and tools you offer are so helpful to agencies in our community. Adele Erick Close
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. Lorine Lucas Babette
Magnificent web site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort! Sheila-Kathryn Randolf Marcille
Highly descriptive blog, I liked that a lot. Will there be a part 2?| Flss Orin Elata
This post gives clear idea for the new users of blogging, that in fact how to do blogging. Doris Sutherlan Spenser
I am very happy to read this. This is the type of info that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc. Bess Rolf Knowles
Hi friends, how is all, and what you wish for to say regarding this article, in my view its truly remarkable designed for me.| Gerri Ignazio Phylys
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate? Yolanda Rriocard Kuster
Great blog right here! Also your web site rather a lot up very fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your host? I want my website loaded up as fast as yours lol| Sam Davidde Mechelle
This is exactly what i was looking for, thank you so much for these tutorials Elfie Alick Gabriell
You have made some good points there. I checked on the internet to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site. Lyndsie Michal Connell
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?| Alverta Kurt Jovitah
Inspiring quest there. What occurred after? Good luck! Janeen Karel Nena
I enjoy reading through a post that can make men and women think. Zarah Murdock Nally
I truly love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Adena Dannie Booker
After looking into a number of the articles on your blog, I truly appreciate your
way of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list
and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my website too and tell me what you think.
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic.
You realize so much its almost hard to argue
with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a
new spin on a topic that has been written about for many years.
Great stuff, just great!
Oh my goodness! Amazing article
dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing difficulties
with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I
can’t join it. Is there anybody else getting
the same RSS issues?
Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew
where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding
one? Thanks a lot.!
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog
posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and
even I achievement you access consistently quickly
My relatives every time say that I am wasting my time here at net, however I
know I am getting know-how all the time by reading thes
good articles.
Thank you for this beautiful article. It’s really a good article
I’ve been browsing online greater than three hours lately,
but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article
like yours. It is pretty value sufficient for me. Personally, if all web owners and
bloggers made good content as you probably did, the web will likely be a lot more useful than ever before.
I value the blog post.
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog
and find nearly all of your post’s to be just what I’m looking
for. can you offer guest writers to write content for you?
I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects
you write about here. Again, awesome website!
Nice blog! Thanks you all star articles good story!
The article is really excellent. Every time I read it, I get information again.
The best article I’ve read in a long time….
Hello there! This article couldn’t be written much better!
Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this post to him.
Pretty sure he will have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!
Enjoyed every bit of your post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Great blog here!
Additionally your web site so
much up fast!
What web host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your
host? I want my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other
person’s website link on
your page at suitable place and other person will also do
same in support of you.
This is post great. You can do it
First of all, thank you for writing such an article. every word is full of knowledge
Wonderful article. Articles that have purposeful and also insightful information are much more enjoyable.
I do not even know the way I finished up right here, however I believed this submit was great.
I do not know who you’re but certainly you are going
to a famous blogger should you aren’t already.
Cheers!
Wohh precisely what I was searching for, regards for putting up.
My website: cartoon porn