Google Proves it Follows Nofollow Links and Indexes the Linked Pages

I'm Kenzo Kobayashi, the Marketing Lead at GoWithGuide, and I recently had the opportunity to participate in a fascinating experiment that sheds light on Google's behavior when it comes to nofollow links and their impact on search engine indexing. Using "dogengine.com," I set out to test the longstanding assumption that nofollow links serve as a roadblock for search engines.

The Experiment

The experiment involved placing a nofollow link on the homepage of "dogengine.com," directing users to the page "https://branebox.com/nofollow.html." This link was explicitly marked as nofollow, which typically instructs search engines not to follow the link or consider it for ranking purposes.

The Outcome

As expected, Google did not treat the nofollow link to "https://branebox.com/nofollow.html" as a dead end, as many SEO experts had presumed. Google's web crawlers, known for their efficiency, quickly indexed the content on the page, despite the nofollow attribute being set. This discovery demonstrated that Google follows nofollow links and indexes the pages they point to.

Unraveling the Mystery

One intriguing aspect of this experiment is that "https://branebox.com/nofollow.html" is not part of the website's sitemap and the HTML file is manually uploaded.

Implications for SEO

The implications of this experiment are significant for the field of search engine optimization:

  1. Enhanced Indexation: Google's willingness to index nofollowed pages reveals that content behind these links may still be discovered and included in search results.
  2. Evolving SEO Strategies: As search engines continue to adapt and become more sophisticated, SEO professionals must consider the evolving landscape of SEO. No longer can we assume that nofollow links are entirely ignored by search engines. Instead, the quality and relevance of the linked page can influence search rankings.
  3. User Perspective: It's worth noting that the average internet user, when sharing links, generally doesn't concern themselves with whether the links are followed or nofollowed. It is primarily SEO professionals who are preoccupied with this aspect of linking. Google is likely aware of this distinction between regular users and SEO practitioners.

Conclusion

This experiment has demonstrated that Google does, indeed, follow nofollow links and indexes the pages they point to. Furthermore, the fact that "https://branebox.com/nofollow.html" is manually uploaded and not on the sitemap adds another layer of complexity to how search engines index content.

As SEO professionals and website owners, it is essential to adapt our strategies to the changing landscape of search engine optimization. Nofollow links are not the insurmountable roadblocks they were once thought to be. Instead, they can be used strategically to guide users and search engines to valuable content. Ultimately, it appears that Google understands the difference between SEO practices and how everyday internet users engage with links.