Is Using “Nofollow Attributes in Outgoing Internal Links” Really a Concern?

2 responses to “Are “Nofollow” tags in outgoing internal links a problem?”

1. When it comes to internal links, the use of the nofollow attribute can sometimes generate warnings during SEO audits, such as those from SEMrush or other tools. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the situation to help you better understand the implications and decide on the best course of action.

   Understanding Nofollow Attributes

   Nofollow is an attribute used in HTML to prevent search engines from following a particular link. It was initially introduced to combat spam and control the distribution of link equity (or “link juice”). When a link is marked as nofollow, it signals to search engines that the link should not influence the ranking of the target URL in the search engine’s index.

   Why SEMrush Flags Nofollow on Internal Links

   SEMrush and similar tools often flag nofollow attributes on internal links because:

   1. Link Equity Distribution: By default, internal links are seen as pathways for distributing link equity across your own website. Adding a nofollow to an internal link disrupts this flow, potentially missing the opportunity to enhance the SEO value or rank of internal pages.

   2. Standard Practice: It’s generally best practice to allow internal links to be followed, considering their role in site navigation and authority distribution.

   In Your Scenario: Internal Links Redirect to API

   Given your specific use case, where internal links lead to an API that then redirects to an external site (e.g., affiliate links), the nofollow attribute makes more sense:

   • Redirects to External Sites: Since these links eventually lead outside your own domain, you’re right to think they should not influence your internal SEO, and you’d like to avoid passing link equity to these external sites.

   • Avoiding Crawler Traffic: Without a nofollow, search engines might follow these links, skewing your statistics and unnecessarily utilizing your API’s resources.

   Recommended seo Practices

   1. Implement rel="nofollow": Continue using nofollow for these links to prevent passing link equity to the external sites and ensure that search engines do not follow them, which is important for preserving your affiliate data integrity.

   2. Consider rel="noopener" andrel=”noreferrer”`:

      • Security and Performance: Adding noopener and noreferrer can help improve security, especially if you’re opening these links in new tabs (target="_blank"). It prevents newly opened pages from being able to manipulate your original page via JavaScript.

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2. This is a compelling topic that raises important questions about link management and SEO best practices. The concern regarding “nofollow” tags in this context is definitely valid, especially when considering how search engines treat these links.

   While it’s true that using “nofollow” on outgoing internal links can prevent crawlers from passing PageRank to those sites, it might not always be the best approach. In your case, since the links redirect users and log clicks before sending them to external sites, it could still be beneficial for you to maintain some form of internal linking strategy without relying solely on “nofollow.”

   Consider whether the links provide value to your users or contribute to the overall content strategy of your site. If users benefit from the linked content, it may be worthwhile to allow crawlers to follow the links, as this could enhance your site’s authority and relevance in the eyes of search engines.

   Alternatively, if your primary concern is protecting your analytics and ensuring the integrity of click tracking, you might explore attributes like `rel=”noopener noreferrer”` for external links, which enhances privacy and security without necessarily impacting SEO negatively.

   Ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific goals—whether prioritizing user experience and content value or maintaining strict control over analytics. It may even be beneficial to run tests on how different configurations impact your traffic and conversions over time. This hands-on approach could provide insights that are tailored to your unique situation.

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