// SEO
A dofollow link is an HTML link without a `rel="nofollow"` (or other restrictive attribute) that allows search engines to follow it and pass link signals to the destination URL. Most links are dofollow by default; the term is used mainly to distinguish them from links that carry `nofollow`, `sponsored`, or `ugc` attributes.
Why it matters: Most editorial links should remain dofollow — they are how search engines discover and evaluate pages. Use `nofollow`, `sponsored`, or `ugc` when appropriate (user-generated content, paid placements, untrusted content), but do not add these attributes to all external links as a blanket policy; that undermines the signal value of legitimate editorial links.