What’s the difference between a follow and nofollow link, and when would you use each?

The Answer To This Interview Question:
A follow link passes “link juice” and can directly impact rankings, while a nofollow link doesn’t pass authority but can still be valuable for driving traffic and improving visibility. I use follow links when I’m seeking to improve rankings and nofollow links when linking to user-generated content or advertisements where I don’t want to pass authority.

What The Interviewer Really Wants To Hear:

Interviewers are looking for you to demonstrate an understanding of the differences between follow and nofollow links and when it’s appropriate to use each. Showing you understand the strategic placement of both is key.


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Tips To Answer This Interview Question Successfully

Describe when to use follow and nofollow links effectively.

In a guest posting campaign, I specifically requested follow links from high-authority blogs to help boost my site’s rankings for competitive keywords. On the other hand, I used nofollow links for affiliate links and sponsored content to maintain transparency and avoid manipulating search engine rankings.

Highlight how nofollow links still provide value in SEO.

Even though nofollow links don’t pass authority, they can still bring valuable referral traffic and improve visibility, especially on high-traffic websites. In many cases, nofollow links from prominent sites can help build brand awareness and create indirect SEO benefits.

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