Does Google Honor Nofollow Links? Here’s An Experiment

Can Google Really Crawl Nofollow Links? A Deep Dive by Agency Platform

The question of whether Google can crawl nofollow links continues to be a topic of heated debate among SEO experts worldwide. Understanding Google’s policy and its implications on SEO strategies is crucial for businesses aiming to optimize their crawl budget and enhance their online visibility. This article unpacks the latest insights and research findings on this topic to shed light on Google’s behavior toward nofollow links.

The Role of Nofollow Links in SEO

The nofollow attribute was introduced by Google to prevent PageRank or link juice from being passed to linked pages. Initially, this tag was implemented to combat spammy practices and protect the integrity of search results. However, many websites began using the nofollow tag as a strategic tool to direct their link equity toward specific high-priority landing pages, effectively shaping their SEO strategy.

SEO industry leader Rand Fishkin from Moz has discussed the unintended use of nofollow links, suggesting that leveraging nofollow for budget-saving practices deviates from standard SEO principles. This raises a significant question: Does Google follow these nofollow-tagged links, or do they strictly adhere to their policies?

Putting the Theory to the Test

To get a clearer answer, SearchLaboratory conducted a comprehensive study designed to test Google’s approach to crawling nofollow links. The tests were carefully controlled to ensure accurate results, and they shed valuable light on whether Google’s bots honor the nofollow attribute.

Test Requirements:

• Two new domains were used to prevent any prior data influence.
• Separate, unused server backups were prepared for each domain to maintain test consistency.

Test Process:

1. Robots.txt File Implementation: To ensure that the tests were not impacted by external crawling, the robots.txt file was configured to block search engines during the study.
2. Page Structure: Each domain hosted three pages—the main page, Page X (linked with a nofollow tag), and Page Y (linked without the nofollow tag).
3. Link Setup: The main page included links to Page X with a nofollow attribute and to Page Y without it, ensuring that Google could identify and attempt to crawl these links.
4. Crawling Simulation: Google Search Console’s “Fetch as Google” tool was used to request crawling of the main page and observe Googlebot’s behavior in the raw access log files.

Observation: The test tracked whether Googlebot crawled or ignored the nofollow-tagged Page X.

Test Results: Does Google Obey Nofollow?

The test results provided some compelling insights:

Initial Test Results (July):

• Site 1:
  • Robots.txt: Crawled 57 times
  • Main Page: Crawled 20 times
  • /page-x/: 0 crawls
  • /page-y/: 4 crawls
• Site 2:
  • Robots.txt: Crawled 40 times
  • Main Page: Crawled 10 times
  • /page-x/: 0 crawls
  • /page-y/: 3 crawls

Extended Testing (August 24): To further verify, the “Crawl this URL and its direct links” option was used to see if Googlebot would behave differently.

Updated Results:

• Site 1:
  • Robots.txt: Crawled 5,113 times
  • Main Page: Crawled 69 times
  • /page-x/: 0 crawls
  • /page-y/: 8 crawls
• Site 2:
  • Robots.txt: Crawled 75 times
  • Main Page: Crawled 39 times
  • /page-x/: 0 crawls
  • /page-y/: 4 crawls

Despite significant crawl activity on the homepages and repeated visits to Page Y, Page X—linked with a nofollow attribute—was never crawled by Google. This confirms that Google’s bots adhere to the nofollow attribute by not following or indexing links marked as such.

Key Takeaways and SEO Implications

1. Nofollow Links and Crawling: This study reaffirms that Google does not crawl or index nofollow links. For SEO professionals, this means that using nofollow attributes can effectively prevent Google from passing link equity to certain pages, helping to preserve the crawl budget for higher-priority content.
2. Indexation Strategies: If you need to control which pages Google indexes and prioritizes, employing the nofollow attribute strategically can be a valuable tactic. This approach can help optimize the allocation of your website’s link equity and ensure that critical pages receive more attention.
3. User Engagement and Content Quality: While this test highlights Google’s adherence to the nofollow attribute, it’s essential to focus on creating high-quality content that naturally attracts engagement and backlinks. The nofollow tag should complement, not replace, a robust SEO strategy built on value-driven content.

Applying These Insights to Your SEO Strategy

Understanding Google’s behavior toward nofollow links can inform several key areas of your SEO approach:

• Link Management: Use nofollow tags to control the distribution of PageRank within your site and manage outbound links that do not add value to your SEO strategy.
• Content Optimization: Maintain a focus on developing authoritative and relevant content that aligns with user intent to maximize organic reach.
• Technical SEO: Regularly audit your website’s link structure to ensure that nofollow tags are applied strategically and align with your overall SEO goals.

Conclusion: Partner with Agency Platform for Cutting-Edge SEO Strategies

Staying on top of SEO trends and implementing best practices is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in search rankings. At Agency Platform, we specialize in providing comprehensive SEO reseller and white label SEO solutions that empower businesses to optimize their content strategies and make informed decisions about link management. If you’re looking to refine your approach and leverage advanced SEO tactics, contact us at sales@agencyplatform.com or call (888) 736-0541 Toll-Free. Let Agency Platform be your trusted partner in enhancing your digital presence and achieving sustainable growth.