What Are Dofollow Backlinks and Why They Matter for Rankings in 2025

If you’re serious about SEO, you’ve probably heard the term dofollow backlinks. These are the links that pass authority from one website to another and play a crucial role in how search engines gauge credibility and relevance. In this guide, you’ll learn what dofollow backlinks are, why they matter, how to get them, and how a savvy digital marketing agency in Michigan can help you capitalize on them.

What Exactly Are Dofollow Backlinks?

A dofollow backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another that allows search engines like Google to follow it and pass link equity to the target page.

Here’s what this really means for you:

• When a high-quality website links to yours via a dofollow link, it’s effectively giving your site a “vote of confidence”.

• That link could improve your domain authority, help your pages get indexed faster, and increase your organic ranking potential.

• In contrast, links marked “nofollow” generally don’t pass that same authority, though they still have other benefits.

In short, dofollow backlinks are still one of the most potent tools in your off-page SEO toolbox.

Why Do Dofollow Backlinks Matter for Rankings in 2025

Here’s the thing: SEO has evolved, but backlinks remain a critical piece.

• Backlinks continue to be among the top three ranking factors in Google’s algorithm for 2025.

• Search engines now emphasize quality over quantity. A few strong, relevant dofollow backlinks beat hundreds of weak ones.

• Dofollow links help search engines crawl and index content faster, which means quicker visibility for your latest posts or pages.

• For businesses seeking local visibility — say an SEO company in Michigan or a digital marketing agency in Michigan — strong dofollow links from industry and regional sites signal trust and relevance in your market.

  
  

In short, when you obtain genuine, relevant dofollow backlinks, your site stands a better chance of ranking higher, reaching your target audience, and outperforming competitors.

How to Get Dofollow Backlinks (With Tactics That Work in 2025)

Getting dofollow backlinks takes strategy, persistence, and smart outreach. Below are effective tactics. Start strong, finish strong — because your link-building foundation matters.

• Create Link-Worthy Content

Your best bet for earning dofollow backlinks is to publish content that other websites want to link to. Think original research, data-driven insights, long-form evergreen guides, local case studies (especially if you're an SEO company in Michigan) or tools that provide value.

• Guest Posting and Editorial Links

Reach out to industry blogs, local business publications in Michigan or relevant digital marketing sites. Offer to write thoughtful guest posts where you can include a dofollow link back to your site. Always prioritize relevance and the reputation of the host site.

• Broken Link Building & Resource Page Outreach

Find pages in your niche with broken links (especially on Michigan regional business directories or marketing resources). Offer your content as a replacement — this is a smart way to earn dofollow backlinks from sites that already link out.

• Build Relationships & Local Networking

Since you’re targeting local presence (like SEO services in Michigan or digital marketing agency in Michigan), connect with local business associations, chambers of commerce, local news sites, and partner businesses. Local relevance boosts the strength of the backlink and aligns with geographic SEO.

• Monitor and Audit Your Backlink Profile

Keep track of which links are dofollow, which sources they come from, and whether they’re helping your rankings. Avoid low-quality sites or spammy directories — these can hurt your performance rather than help it.

What This Means for an SEO Company in Michigan or Digital Marketing Agency in Michigan

If you’re running or hiring an SEO company in Michigan or seeking a digital marketing agency in Michigan, here’s how you can leverage dofollow backlinks:

• Ask your agency how they obtain dofollow backlinks: their tactics, quality standards, and targeting strategy.

• Make sure local relevance is part of the plan — backlinks from Michigan-based publications or business directories can help you dominate local SERPs.

• Focus on measurable metrics: number of authoritative dofollow backlinks, improved rankings for your key terms, better traffic from referral sources.

• Stay away from agencies that promise hundreds of generic backlinks. The emphasis must be on relevance, authority, and sustainability.

  
  

Call to Action

If you’re ready to boost your search visibility, build authority, and dominate local competition, contact Great Lakes DP, a trusted digital and IT services company in Michigan. Our team specializes in securing high-quality dofollow backlinks, crafting compelling content tailored for your audience, and driving SEO performance that counts.

FAQs

1. What makes a dofollow backlink “high quality”?

A high-quality dofollow backlink is one from a relevant website with strong domain authority, clean linking practices, and real traffic. The relevance to your niche (e.g., digital marketing or local Michigan business) matters nearly as much as the authority.

2. Can I rely only on dofollow backlinks and ignore nofollow links?

No. While dofollow backlinks are crucial for SEO value, a healthy backlink profile includes both dofollow and nofollow links. Nofollow links can still drive traffic and signal natural linking behavior.

3. How many dofollow backlinks do I need to improve rankings?

There’s no fixed number. It depends on your niche, competition, and keyword difficulty. What matters more is quality, relevance, and anchor-text diversity than raw link count.

4. Are dofollow backlinks from any website helpful?

No. Links from low-quality, unrelated, or spammy sites can harm your site or dilute its authority. Focus on links from trusted, relevant domains.

5. How can I check if a backlink is dofollow or nofollow?

Use the browser’s “Inspect” element to view the rel attribute of the link. If there’s no rel=”nofollow” or similar tag, it’s likely dofollow. SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush also provide backlink attributes.

6. Is link-building still relevant in 2025?

Absolutely. Backlinks remain a key ranking factor, both for traditional SEO and newer AI-driven search experiences. Modern link-building emphasizes value, relevance, and editorial credibility.

7. How long does it take for dofollow backlinks to impact rankings?

There’s no guaranteed timeline. Some links contribute to ranking improvements within weeks, others may take months. Consistent efforts and tracking are essential.