When I first started blogging I had no idea what a ‘no follow link’ was or when and how to use one. Let me tell you I am not an HTML knowledgable person, computers are not my forte so after a lot of research (and confusion) I finally figured out how to insert a no follow link.
When to use a no follow link
You should use a no follow link when you’ve received incentive to write a blog post. For example you’ve been sent a product (free of charge or at a discounted price) to review or you’ve received payment to write a post.
How to insert a no follow link
You insert a no following link by adding the HTML rel=”nofollow”
Now that might seem confusing so let me break it down.
1. Find the link you want to use and insert it into your blog post like normal.
2. Click on the HTML tab at the top of your post. (I use WordPress but I’m pretty sure it’s similar for Blogger and other sites)
3. Scroll down to where you’ve inserted your link. It should look something like this.
4. Copy and paste rel=”nofollow” between the ‘<a’ and ‘href=…..’ at the start of the website.
5. Don’t forget to click save at the top of the post! You can then go back to visual mode at the top of your post.
That’s how you make a link ‘no follow’.
What’s the point of no follow links?
You may be asking why would I use these? The simple (non jargon filled) explanation is, Google sort through all links mentioned online, the more link backs a site has the higher up it’ll appear on Google. (so more people are likely to click on it) By making a link no follow you’re telling google you were paid to include the link (whether it be through a free product or actual payment) so not to count that towards how many link backs a site has. Basically it stops sites being falsely bumped up Google.
Bloggers and no follow links
Now you’ve wrapped your head around how no follow links work you may be wondering why brands and PR’s contact you asking you to use follow links when you know it’s wrong! Honestly the decision is up to you. I personally don’t use follow links for content I’ve been asked to write but I know plenty of bloggers who do. Just know that you’re taking a risk and google may ban your site from appearing in searches if they catch you out!
I hope this was helpful to those of you, like me, who had zero idea about no follow links. If you’ve any questions at all please leave them in the comments and I’ll try my best to answer them!
If you liked this post don’t forget to check out my other blogger help posts on Bloglovin, Pinterest and some other topics!
*Disclaimer- I am by no means a computer or blogging genius, I just created this post to help other bloggers like myself who don’t understand jargon and want to learn about no follow links*