Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks: What Startup Founders Need to Know

Every founder eventually hears the advice "get backlinks" — but not all backlinks are created equal. The single most important distinction is dofollow vs nofollow, and understanding it will save you from paying for links that do nothing and help you claim links that genuinely move rankings.

The 30-second version

A dofollow link (the default for any normal link) tells search engines: "we vouch for this page — pass authority to it." That authority, often called link equity, is a core input to how Google ranks your site.

A nofollow link carries a rel="nofollow" attribute that says: "link exists, but don't treat it as an endorsement." Google treats nofollow as a hint rather than a rule these days, but in practice nofollow links pass little or no ranking value. Two related attributes matter too: rel="ugc" (user-generated content, like forum posts) and rel="sponsored" (paid placements).

Why this matters so much for startups

A new domain starts with zero authority. Search engines have no reason to rank it for anything competitive until other sites vouch for it — and only dofollow links do that vouching. A young startup with ten dofollow links from relevant, real sites will typically outrank an identical site with a hundred nofollow mentions. When you're deciding where to spend launch effort, the dofollow question is how you separate high-value placements from vanity mentions.

How directories handle dofollow — and why

Directories sit in an interesting spot: their links are valuable precisely because they're curated, so most directories don't hand out dofollow links unconditionally. Common models you'll encounter:

• Nofollow by default, dofollow after verification. Launchory uses this model: free listings start with a nofollow link, and verifying the Launchory badge on your website upgrades it to dofollow. The badge proves the relationship is mutual, which keeps the directory's link profile — and yours — clean.
• Dofollow behind a paid tier. A one-time fee (see Launchory's pricing) guarantees the dofollow link. Because the fee funds curation rather than buying placement in search results, this is a legitimate and common model.
• Dofollow for top performers. Some launch platforms award dofollow links only to the week's most-upvoted products.

How to check whether a link is dofollow

Right-click the link on the live page → Inspect. Look at the anchor tag: if the rel attribute contains nofollow, ugc, or sponsored, it's not passing full authority. No rel attribute (or one without those values) means dofollow. Check the live page, not what the submission form promised — and re-check after any "verification" step, since that's usually when the upgrade happens.

Building a healthy link profile as a startup

A natural profile is a mix. Nofollow links from real communities still send traffic, get your brand crawled, and often lead to dofollow links downstream. A sane early-stage sequence:

1. Claim the curated directory listings in your niche and complete the dofollow steps they offer — badge verification, upvote milestones, or a reasonable one-time fee. (Our directory guide covers how to pick them.)
2. Launch on community platforms even where links are nofollow — the traffic and brand searches matter.
3. Publish something genuinely reference-worthy (data, a free tool, a definitive guide) that earns editorial dofollow links over time.
4. Never buy dofollow links from link farms or "guest post marketplaces" — a penalty costs far more than the links were worth.

Frequently asked questions

Do nofollow links help SEO at all?

Indirectly, yes: they drive traffic, speed up discovery of your pages, and diversify your profile. They just pass little or no ranking authority on their own.

How many dofollow links does a new startup need?

There's no magic number, but the first 10–20 dofollow links from relevant, legitimate domains produce the most visible jump — going from "no signals" to "credible entity."

Is paying for a dofollow link against Google's rules?

Buying links purely to manipulate rankings violates Google's policies. Paying a curated directory a listing fee — where the fee covers review and the directory is selective — is standard practice and widely considered safe.

Can a dofollow link be downgraded later?

Yes. Directories that tie dofollow to a badge (like Launchory) typically revert the link if the badge is removed, and any site can change link attributes at any time. Keep your side of the arrangement live.

Conclusion

Dofollow links are votes; nofollow links are mentions. Startups need both, but rankings are won with the votes — so before you spend hours on any placement, check which kind of link you're actually getting, and always complete the verification steps that upgrade your link. It's the cheapest SEO win available to a new company.

Claim yours now: list your startup on Launchory, add the badge to your site, and turn your listing into a verified dofollow backlink.