Glossary/Dofollow backlink
Dofollow backlink — definition
A dofollow backlink is a normal HTML link that search engines may treat as a ranking signal — it passes link equity (often called “juice”) from the linking page to the destination. Most editorial links are dofollow unless the publisher adds a rel="nofollow" or similar attribute.
Why it matters for indie developers
Indie founders chase dofollow links because they can influence organic rankings over time, not just send referral clicks. A contextual mention from a relevant peer site is worth more than a nofollow directory dump.
On ProofSwap, paid plans keep permanent dofollow backlinks from decaying via stale-project cleanup. Free listings still benefit from verified exchanges, but paid dofollow permanence is a deliberate SEO advantage.