什么是do-follow链接？营销人员完整SEO指南

do-follow链接是允许搜索引擎跟踪链接并将SEO价值（链接权重）从来源页面传递到目标页面的超链接，有助于域名权威和页面排名。

SEO and Search

Here's why this matters for digital marketers: according to AIOSEO's SEO statistics roundup, 95% of pages have zero backlinks. That leaves a big opening for marketers who know how to earn quality do-follow links.

The same roundup notes that the #1 result has 3.8x more backlinks than results in positions 2-10. But more isn't automatically better. Focus on earning do-follow links from authoritative, relevant websites, not on volume from shady methods.

Do-Follow Links Explained: The Techy Bit

Let's get straight to how do-follow links work behind the scenes. At its most basic level, a do-follow link is simply standard HTML that looks like this:

<a href="https://example.com">Visit This SEO Guide</a>

That's it. No special attributes needed. The "do-follow" behavior is simply the default way search engines treat a standard link. When Google's spiders find these links, Google uses them as a signal when determining the relevancy of pages and to find new pages to crawl.

Here's where it gets technical. A do-follow link and a no-follow link differ by a single HTML attribute. Do-follow links carry no special marking by default, while no-follow links use the rel attribute:

<!-- Do-follow link (passes ranking power) -->
<a href="https://example.com">SEO Best Practices</a>

<!-- No-follow link (generally doesn't pass ranking power) -->
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">SEO Best Practices</a>

The MDN documentation for the anchor element covers the anchor element and its attributes, including rel, which describes the relationship to the linked URL. Search engines, not browsers, give meaning to rel values such as nofollow, sponsored and ugc.

The most interesting part, of course, is just how Google's algorithm understands these signals. In some way, one can equate each do-follow backlink to a citation in a scholarly article; the more reputable articles cite your work, the more trustworthy your content. This is the reason why obtaining do-follow links from relevant powerhouses is one of the best ways to succeed in SEO.

Why Do-Follow Links Are Still Key to SEO Success

Even as Google's algorithm has grown more sophisticated, do-follow links still matter, just not as much as many people assume. At Pubcon Pro in Austin in 2023, Google's Gary Illyes said, as reported by Search Engine Land, "I don't agree it's in the top three. It hasn't been for some time." He also said, "I think they are important, but I think people overestimate the importance of links."

Links are no longer a simple vote count. Google's link best practices say good anchor text is descriptive, reasonably concise, and relevant to the page it's on and to the page it links to, which shows that context matters, not just the link itself.

Results take patience. Linkdoctor's link building statistics note that it takes about three months, on average, to see the positive effects of a new link-building campaign (Authority Hacker, 2022). In The Links Guy's Red Stag Fulfillment case study, organic traffic grew 1,472% between October 2019 and December 2020, built on niche-relevant guest posts and resource links.

Professional priorities reflect this. Today's link building advice centers on relevance and quality, because Google keeps getting better at analysing link signals.

The bottom line? Do-follow links still matter, but the game is shifting toward real mentions and relevance. Smart marketers adapt by focusing on relationships and value, not outdated linking schemes.

Real-World Do-Follow Link Success Stories

These case studies show how do-follow link campaigns work in practice, with concrete results.

The Skyscraper Technique: Brian Dean's Traffic Case Study

One of the best-known examples of strategic do-follow link building is Brian Dean's Skyscraper Method case study. It started with a list of Google ranking factors: after 20 hours of work, Dean published a list of all 200.

The execution was methodical. Dean found sites already linking to weaker ranking factor content (the current version of the case study shows Semrush for this step) and emailed each one with a personalized message about his resource. The result: site-wide organic search traffic doubled in 14 days, according to the case study, whose title cites +110%.

The campaign worked because of the outreach and because the content was genuinely worth linking to. The case study's results report an 11% success rate: 17 links from 160 outreach emails.

Fashion Client: Guest Posts Built for Rankings

The Links Guy also worked with a fashion accessories e-commerce client. According to Surfer's case study, guest posts optimized with Surfer's content tools helped that client achieve a 35% increase in clicks and 67% in impressions year over year.

The key insight? Guest posts written to be genuinely useful, and optimized for the topics readers search for, can earn both links and rankings.

Compounding Growth: +1,472% Traffic Gain

Red Stag Fulfillment, a US eCommerce delivery company, shows the difference sustained do-follow link building can make. In October 2019, the site had just over 2,100 monthly visits, according to Ahrefs data cited in The Links Guy's case study. The strategy relied mainly on niche-relevant guest posts, plus resource links and resource pages.

The timeline shows how do-follow link effects compound. By the end of December 2020, Red Stag Fulfillment's site had over 33,000 monthly visits, up from just over 2,100 in October 2019, and ranked in the top 3 for 250 keywords, up from 64.

The secret? At least 150 niche-relevant links built steadily over the campaign. It's a strong example of why link building rewards patience and consistency, not short-term wins.

Do-Follow Link Advantages and Strategic Uses

Knowing how to use do-follow links effectively can make a serious impact on your digital marketing results. These are the foundational benefits with practical applications:

1. Direct Search Engine Ranking Improvements

The most direct payoff is rankings, and content that earns links tends to be substantial. According to AIOSEO's SEO statistics roundup, long-form content (3,000+ words) receives 77.2% more backlinks than short-form content (under 1,000 words).

This matters for marketers because in-depth resources create a cycle: they attract natural links, which lift rankings, which bring more visibility and even more links.

2. High-Value Referral Traffic Generation

Good do-follow links don't just help SEO; they also send engaged visitors. A link from a niche-relevant site puts your page in front of readers who already care about the topic, and a well-placed guest post can keep sending referral traffic long after it's published.

3. Rapid Brand Authority and Trust Development

When authoritative domains link to your page, they publicly vouch for your expertise. That third-party validation is something you can't create for yourself, and it adds up over time.

4. Faster Content Discovery and Indexing

One of the biggest challenges for a new website is getting pages discovered quickly. Google's own documentation says Google uses links to find new pages to crawl, so links from reputable sites help new pages get found.

5. Sustainable Competitive Advantage

In competitive niches where everyone has solid on-page SEO, do-follow links can be what separates a page-one result from a page-two result.

Proven Tactics for Earning Do-Follow Links

Here are tactics that work for earning quality do-follow links.

Natural Link Bait: Content Worth Linking To

Surfer's agency case study shows the content side of link building. The Links Guy, a link building agency, published long-form guides on its own blog and grew clicks from 1.74K to 3.57K (105%) in six months, while impressions rose from 254K to 1.16M.

The lesson: in-depth, genuinely useful content gives other sites a reason to link, and it supports your outreach when you do ask.

Strategic Digital PR for High-Authority Links

Digital PR can earn links from major publications. The trick is to produce something newsworthy that also meets journalists' needs, such as fresh data on a trend in your industry.

The key insight? Think like a journalist. What stories are happening in your industry? What data do reporters need that they can't easily find? Once you become the expert resource, high-quality do-follow links follow naturally.

Resource Page Link Building That Works

Old-school resource page outreach has a low success rate. The approach that works is to offer real value: instead of unsolicited "please add my link" emails, spot outdated resources and suggest specific updates or a better replacement.

A practical tactic: find outdated software comparison or resource pages, then offer updated information, screenshots and pricing. It works because you're improving an existing resource instead of just asking to be added.

Frequently Asked Questions About Do-Follow Links

What's the main difference between do-follow and no-follow links for SEO?

Do-follow links can pass ranking signals to the destination site, and search engines may treat them as endorsements. No-follow links, marked with rel="nofollow," historically told search engines not to pass ranking credit, but Google now treats nofollow as a hint (Google only treats it as a "hint"), first for ranking and, since March 2020, for crawling and indexing. In practice, do-follow links can influence rankings, while no-follow links mainly bring referral traffic and brand awareness.

How do I check whether a link is do-follow or no-follow?

Right-click on any link and click "Inspect" or "Inspect Element" in your browser. Look for the HTML code, if you see rel="nofollow," rel="sponsored" or rel="ugc," it's a no-follow link. If there's no rel attribute, or the rel attribute doesn't contain any of these values, the link is a do-follow link. You can also use browser extensions that will automatically highlight no-follow links for you to see easily, such as "NoFollow Simple".

How many do-follow links do I need to rank well in Google?

There's no magic number. Some pages rank #1 with only a handful of high-authority do-follow links, while others have hundreds. What matters most is earning backlinks from niche-relevant, authoritative sites, at a pace you can sustain with quality content and outreach.

Are paid do-follow links against Google's guidelines?

Yes. Buying or selling links for ranking purposes is link spam under Google's spam policies. Paid links are acceptable only when they are qualified with a rel="nofollow" or rel="sponsored" attribute. Getting caught buying manipulative do-follow links can lead to manual actions that hurt rankings.

How long does it take for do-follow links to affect my search rankings?

Link building requires patience. In Authority Hacker's 2024 survey, as cited by Linkdoctor, 89.2% of respondents said it takes around 1-6 months to see results from link building. Timing depends on your site's current authority, the quality of the linking domains and the competition.

Should I disavow low-quality do-follow links pointing to my site?

Most sites don't need to disavow anything. Google's disavow guidance says, "In most cases, Google can assess which links to trust without additional guidance." Use the disavow tool only when you have a considerable number of spammy, artificial, or low-quality links that have caused, or will likely cause, a manual action, and first try to get those links removed. Be precise rather than disavowing broadly.

Are internal links do-follow links?

Yes. Internal links are do-follow by default and are a key part of SEO strategy. They help search engines understand site structure and connect related pages. Google's link best practices advise that every page you care about should have a link from at least one other page on your site.

Related Terms

Backlink - Incoming hyperlink from external website pointing to your site
Anchor Text - Clickable text in hyperlink that describes the linked page or content
Link Building - Process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Improving website visibility in search results

Best Practices and Expert Tips for Earning Quality Do-Follow Links

Here are proven tactics you can use to earn high-quality do-follow links:

Build Attention-Grabbing Content Assets That Attract Links

Begin with content that naturally earns links. Original research and data studies tend to attract earned do-follow links, because journalists and bloggers look for credible statistics to cite. Tools, calculators and thorough guides can also work well as linkable assets.

The best campaigns are a combination of content and promotion.

Personalized Outreach That Makes an Impact

Generic mass outreach gets low response rates. Personalize beyond the first name: point to specific content on the recipient's site and make your ask feel natural and easy, not transactional.

Follow up. A systematic follow-up sequence gives busy editors a second chance to reply, but keep it helpful, not pushy. It's about building relationships, not just links.

Use Strategic Digital PR for Authority Links

Look for data journalism opportunities: run surveys, track industry trends, or analyze data your audience cares about. Journalists regularly need fresh statistics and expert commentary.

Build Real Relationships, Not Transactional Connections

The best link builders think long-term. Instead of one-off requests, build real relationships with site owners, reporters and influencers in your niche. In Authority Hacker's 2024 survey, as cited by Linkdoctor, 61.7% of link builders use social media for outreach.

Track and Review Your Anchor Text Profile

A natural mix of anchor text still matters. Google's link best practices say good anchor text is descriptive, reasonably concise and relevant to both pages, and Google doesn't publish target ratios. A natural profile usually includes:

Branded anchors (your company or website name)
Partial match keywords
Generic anchors ("click here," "learn more")
Naked URLs
Exact match keywords, used sparingly

Stay Up to Date with Google's Changing Guidance

Google's spam policies also cover expired domain abuse and scaled content abuse. Tactics that went unpunished a few years ago can lead to penalties today, so keep up with Google Search Central's spam policies and adjust your link building strategy as needed.

The future is for the marketers who gain links by creating real value for people, and not by manipulating trends.

Conclusion: The Unfading Power of Earned Do-Follow Links

Despite claims that links have become less important, quality do-follow links still matter in SEO; what has changed is how you earn them. Today's winners earn links by providing real value, not through outdated gimmicks.

The way forward is clear: produce outstanding content that solves people's problems, build genuine relationships in your industry, and treat link building as a long-term strategy rather than a quick win. AIOSEO's roundup notes that 41% of SEOs consider link building the most difficult aspect of the job, and that difficulty is also an opportunity for those willing to do it right.

Remember: each do-follow link represents a person who decided to vouch for your content. Respect that, and the links you earn can compound into sustained search visibility and business growth. As automated content spreads across the web, that human endorsement becomes an even more important signal of quality and trust.

The bottom line? Master do-follow link acquisition now and you build a competitive advantage that grows over time. Build relationships, produce genuinely useful content, and earn the digital votes of confidence that move search visibility.

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"Since 2008, I've seen countless algorithm updates come and go, but do-follow links remain the most authentic currency of trust on the web. They represent genuine human endorsement, something that no amount of technical optimization can replicate or replace."

Tessar Napitupulu, Founder and CEO of Arfadia