What Is the Difference Between a Regular Backlink and a Do-Follow Backlink?

Short Answer: A regular backlink passes some of the linking page’s authority to your website, providing some SEO value, whereas a do-follow backlink does not pass link equity or ‘juice,’ meaning you don’t receive the full SEO benefits that could come from the backlink.

Full Explanation

Backlinks can influence the authority and ranking of your website in search engines. A regular backlink contributes by passing a portion of the authority from the page linking to your site. This means that the page recognizes your website, and that recognition helps improve your own site’s standing to some degree.

In contrast, a do-follow backlink operates differently. It does not transfer link equity, commonly referred to as link ‘juice,’ to your site. As a result, even though the link exists, it does not provide the SEO advantages associated with passing authority. Thus, the backlink’s potential benefit is limited or absent.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

A regular backlink is created when one webpage links to another.
This backlink passes a part of the linking page’s authority to the linked page.
By receiving this authority, the linked page may improve in search engine rankings.
A do-follow backlink still links webpages but does not transfer this authority or link equity.
Because no link juice is passed, the linked site does not gain SEO advantage from the do-follow backlink.

Real Examples

While specific examples are not provided here, understanding the distinction is clear: if you have a backlink on a page that passes authority, your site benefits in SEO terms. If the link is do-follow, your site may receive recognition through the link but without improvement in link equity.

Common Mistakes

Assuming all backlinks pass the same level of authority.
Believing a do-follow backlink always improves SEO, when in fact it does not pass link juice.
Neglecting the impact of link equity in backlink assessment.

FAQs

Does a regular backlink always help SEO?: Yes, because it passes some authority from the linking page to your site, offering SEO value.
Will a do-follow backlink improve my site’s authority?: No, since it does not pass link equity, the full SEO potential is not realized.

Key Takeaways

Regular backlinks pass authority from the linking page, providing SEO benefits.
Do-follow backlinks do not pass link juice and therefore offer limited or no SEO advantage.
Understanding which backlinks transfer authority helps in strategizing your link building efforts effectively.