Dofollow, Nofollow, UGC, Noopener, and Noreferrer Links Explained

Links are the backbone of the internet.
They connect pages, websites, and users.

But not all links are the same.

Some links help your SEO.
Some links protect your website.
Some links protect users.
And some links are made only for safety and privacy.

If you’ve ever seen terms like dofollow, nofollow, ugc, noopener, or noreferrer and felt confused, you’re not alone.

This guide explains everything in simple language, with real-world SEO use cases.

No technical headache.
No fluff.
Just clarity…

What Is a Link in SEO?

A link is a clickable path from one page to another.

Search engines use links to:

• Discover new pages
• Understand page relationships
• Decide trust and authority

But links can also be controlled using the rel attribute.

That’s where things get interesting.

What Is the rel Attribute?

The rel attribute tells search engines and browsers how to treat a link.

Example:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Visit</a>

That single word changes how Google sees the link.

Now let’s break each type down.

1. Dofollow Links (The Default Link)

What Is a Dofollow Link?

A dofollow link is a normal link.

You don’t need to write rel="dofollow".

If no rel attribute is added, the link is dofollow by default.

Example

<a href="https://example.com">Example</a>

What Dofollow Means in Simple Words

You are telling Google:

“I trust this website.”

Google can:

• Follow the link
• Pass SEO value (link juice)
• Share authority

SEO Benefits of Dofollow Links

• Improves keyword rankings
• Builds domain authority
• Helps pages get indexed faster

Real-World SEO Use Cases

Dofollow links are best for:

• Blog references
• Editorial links
• Trusted resources
• Partner websites

Example

A tech blog linking to Google Docs tutorials.
A marketing blog linking to a trusted SEO guide.

These are natural dofollow links.

2. Nofollow Links

What Is a Nofollow Link?

A nofollow link tells Google:

“I’m linking to this page, but I’m not endorsing it.”

Example

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Example</a>

What Nofollow Means in Easy Words

• Google can see the link
• Google may crawl it
• But no authority is passed

Since 2019, Google treats nofollow as a hint, not a rule.

But still, nofollow links usually don’t pass SEO value.

When Should You Use Nofollow?

Use nofollow when:

• The link is paid
• The link is sponsored
• You don’t fully trust the site

Real-World SEO Use Cases

Common places where nofollow is used:

• Sponsored blog posts
• Affiliate links
• Blog comments
• External ads

Example

<a href="https://affiliate-site.com" rel="nofollow">Buy Now</a>

This keeps your site safe from penalties.

3. UGC (User Generated Content)

What Is UGC?

UGC stands for User Generated Content.

This tag tells Google:

“This link was added by a user, not by the website owner.”

Example

<a href="https://example.com" rel="ugc">Example</a>

Why UGC Exists

Google introduced ugc to fight spam.

Especially in:

• Forums
• Comments
• Community platforms

SEO Impact of UGC Links

• No SEO authority passed
• Helps Google identify user-added links
• Protects your site from spam penalties

Real-World SEO Use Cases

UGC links are common on:

• Product Hunt
• Quora
• Reddit
• Forums
• Blog comments

Example

A user drops their website link in a comment section.

That link should be marked as ugc.

4. Noopener

What Is Noopener?

noopener is not an SEO tag.

It is a security attribute.

Why Noopener Is Important

When you use:

target="_blank"

The new tab can access the original page using JavaScript.

That’s a security risk.

noopener blocks that access.

Example

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">

SEO Impact of Noopener

• No effect on SEO
• No effect on rankings
• Only improves security

Real-World Use Cases

Noopener is used on:

• External links
• SaaS platforms
• Dashboards
• Blogs opening links in new tabs

Google recommends using it.

5. Noreferrer

What Is Noreferrer?

noreferrer is both a privacy and security attribute.

It does two things:

1. Hides referral data
2. Prevents window access (like noopener)

Example

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">

What Happens When You Use Noreferrer?

• The destination site can’t see traffic source
• No referrer data in Analytics
• No SEO authority passed

SEO Impact of Noreferrer

• Treated as non-dofollow
• No link juice
• Useful for privacy-focused platforms

Real-World SEO Use Cases

Noreferrer is commonly used by:

• Product Hunt
• Social media platforms
• SaaS tools
• Login-based websites

That’s why Product Hunt links don’t pass SEO value.

Difference Between All Link Types (Simple Table)

Attribute	Pass SEO Value	Hides Referrer	Security Purpose
Dofollow	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Nofollow	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
UGC	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Noopener	N/A	❌ No	✅ Yes
Noreferrer	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Which Links Should You Use on Your Website?

Use Dofollow When:

• You trust the website
• It’s an editorial reference
• It adds value to users

Use Nofollow When:

• The link is paid
• It’s an affiliate
• You’re unsure about quality

Use UGC When:

• Users can submit links
• You run a forum or comments

Use Noopener When:

• Opening links in new tabs

Use Noreferrer When:

• You want privacy
• You don’t want referral data shared

Are Nofollow and UGC Links Useless?

Absolutely not.

They still provide:

• Referral traffic
• Brand exposure
• Trust signals
• Natural link profile

Google expects a mix of link types.

Too many dofollow links can look unnatural.

SEO Tip for Founders and Tool Websites

Platforms like:

• Product Hunt
• Quora
• Reddit

Won’t give dofollow links.

That’s okay.

Use them to:

• Get users
• Build awareness
• Attract bloggers
• Earn natural backlinks later

Indirect SEO benefits matter.

Final Thoughts

Links are not just about rankings.

They are about:

• Trust
• Safety
• Transparency
• User experience

Understanding link attributes helps you:

• Avoid penalties
• Build clean SEO
• Make smart linking decisions

Whether you run a blog, SaaS, or tool website, this knowledge gives you an edge.

FAQs