Glossary/Nofollow backlink
Nofollow backlink — definition
A nofollow backlink is a link marked so search engines should not treat it as a full endorsement for ranking — typically via rel="nofollow", "ugc", or "sponsored". It can still send referral traffic and brand awareness, but it usually passes little or no classic link equity.
Why it matters for indie developers
Directories, comments, and user-generated dumps are often nofollow by design. They can still bring humans; they rarely move rankings alone.
Qualify paid placements with sponsored or nofollow, and use ugc or nofollow for user-generated or untrusted links as appropriate. Required badges and distributed ProofSwap widget attribution use nofollow. Qualification does not guarantee how search engines treat a page or link.
Related terms
Go deeper: Link qualification and search risks