How Valuable Is A Wikipedia NoFollow Backlink?
Hi, WA Friends
How valuable are NoFollow backlinks?
It depends on what you read and who you believe. From what I've read, Google seems a little equivocal about their value. Other opinions from experts can vary.
For example, an article by Neil Patel says that nofollow backlinks are beneficial:
๏ปฟhttps://neilpatel.com/blog/nof...
Alternately, Ahrefs says, "These links do not influence the search engine rankings of the destination URL because Google does not transfer PageRank or anchor text across them."
๏ปฟhttps://ahrefs.com/blog/nofoll....
Some sources say that NoFollow backlinks can actually hurt your ranking, even if they are from high-authority sources that are relevant to your particular niche.
I have a NoFollow Wikipedia backlink, but I'm not really sure how much it will help my domain authority, if at all.
It's hard for me to believe that a NoFollow backlink from Wikipedia on an article entitled "Fender Noiseless Pickups," pointing to an article on my guitar site entitled "Fender American Ultra Telecaster Review โ Is It Worth It?" will hurt my SEO.
What do you think of NoFollow backlinks and their value to domain authority and SEO?
Keep On Rockin! ๐ค
๏ปฟFrank ๐๐ธ
Recent Comments
30
Hi Frank,
if a nofollow link means that the search engines do not use those links to other parties to their advantage, then it makes sense to me that it does not affect the ranking of the site.
And for SEO they obviously have an impact, it just matters if we want to share the content or not.
My opinion, that's how I see those links.
And from experience, they neither benefited me nor had a bad effect on the site. It is important to set the right meaning, and where to find them.
Best wishes and keep going ๐ธ
Slavka ๐
Thanks, Slavka!
It's certainly an interesting discussion. Check out Partha and Phil's comments below. ๐
Frank ๐ธ
Thanks for the links regarding the nofollow links. From what heard they don't carry a lot of SEO juice.
Seems like the sponsored links as most important, right?
I also read that they can help or hinder SEO. I, personally have never used nofollow links.
You can check we Slavka, she's knowledgeable about this.
Rock on
Hi, Rachele
Sponsored links are the same as affiliate links.
DoFollow and NoFollow links can both be bad if they are coming from a site that is detrimental to your SEO.
I didnโt ask for or try to cultivate the Wikipedia NoFollow link; it was created by one of the authors of that article.
I believe it will help my domain authority because it fits perfectly with the article it points to on my site. See Phil's (feigner) explanation below.
Frank ๐๐ธ
I haven't really given them any thought, Frank! It'll be interesting to see your replies though, my friend!
Jeff
See more comments
Hey Frank,
I'd tend to agree with Neil, although the "benefits" have little to do with "link juice" (as obviously none is passed on from a no-follow link).
However, if a website ONLY ever has do-follow backlinks pointing to it, this could be viewed as manipulation of backlinks (as this would never really happen).
So, anything that Google feels has been manipulated could eventually lead to penalties/loss of rankings/traffic, etc.
Furthermore, all social media links and blog comments are no-follow, BUT, these show "social engagement", which can be good in terms of relevance and user experience (therefore, this COULD improve your rankings).
As for Wikipedia, I'm sorry to say I really think it has had it's day.
The mere fact that users are able to edit and create content on Wikipedia makes it similar to "user-generated content" in my mind.
I know Google's John Mueller has previously discussed links from UGC, such as Quora and Reddit, not being very effective, unfortunately, I see Wikipedia going down the same route.
What started off as the world's biggest encyclopedia, full of knowledge and authority, has now simply become something that is controlled by the masses.
As with everything in the online industry, massive changes happen in the blink of an eye, what was great last year may not be worth anything this year.
Just how I see it.
Partha
Thanks, Partha, for the great response!
You Rock! ๐ค
Frank ๐๐ธ