{"id":5054,"date":"2019-10-16T06:46:45","date_gmt":"2019-10-16T06:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/?p=5054"},"modified":"2022-09-05T19:24:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T17:24:09","slug":"what-is-an-outbound-link","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/seo-blog\/what-is-an-outbound-link\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an outbound link?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_3-1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-image align_center\"><div class=\"w-image-h\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"479\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSM_Infographic_SEO28-e1571208155526.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"DSM Digital School of Marketing - outbound links\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSM_Infographic_SEO28-e1571208155526.jpg 680w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSM_Infographic_SEO28-e1571208155526-600x423.jpg 600w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSM_Infographic_SEO28-e1571208155526-300x211.jpg 300w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSM_Infographic_SEO28-e1571208155526-284x200.jpg 284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>The term \u2018outbound link\u2019 refers to a link which is meant to take you elsewhere. Outbound links are links which are going to take you to alternative webpage or <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/the-best-call-to-action-on-a-website\/\">website<\/a>. Most, if not all, websites include outbound links.<\/p>\n<p>There are two kinds of outbound links. These are nofollow and dofollow links:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The dofollow link is a normal <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/what-are-link-farms-and-why-you-should-be-wary-of-them\/\">link<\/a>. This type of link is a default link. It is not necessary to add to the code or to change anything. Just insert a link into your website and it\u2019s automatically a dofollow link. A dofollow link is what every link should be like. The is because it passes on Google\u2019s PageRank juice from your webpage to a targeted webpage.<\/li>\n<li>A nofollow link is an abnormal link. It does not pass on any of Google\u2019s PageRank juice to the targeted webpage but, instead, it blocks off the Google PageRank flow. A nofollow link has a rel=\u201dnofollow\u201d tag inside the code. This tag tells the Google spider \u2018not to follow\u2019 the link.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Nofollow Links Are Valuable<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>As we said in the previous paragraph, nofollow links do not pass on PageRank. This means that using a nofollow link means that link will not pass PageRank to another page. On the one hand, Google cannot penalise you for linking to a site which is known to be a low-quality site. They also can\u2019t penalise you for linking out too much. If you make use of a nofollow link this means that a link from your website bears no value to other websites, which means that is not likely that they will include you in announcements of new products or, alternatively, exciting developments. This is unless you already have a large user base and are on point with your digital marketing.<\/p>\n<p>Many of the largest websites (such as CNN and the NFL) now place nofollow on all of their outbound links. This has the result that a link on their website has no PageRank value. However, links that come from these websites still have a high value owing to the quality as well as the size of their user base. Even a nofollow link has value as it gives potential visitors the chance to visit your website and expands awareness. Even a mention on a website without a link is valuable for increasing awareness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-video align_none ratio_16x9 has_iframe\"><div class=\"w-video-h\"><iframe title=\"Vimeo video player\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/267594118?autoplay=0&loop=0&autopause=0&color=00adef&portrait=0&byline=1&title=1&controls=1&muted=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div><div class=\"w-video-icon\" style=\"font-size:1.5rem;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);color:#fff\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2><strong>When to use nofollow links<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There are several ways in which you should be using nofollow links. Here are some of them:<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Links in Comments or, alternatively, on Forums<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Anything that has user-generated content has the expectation of being a source of spam. Even if you carefully moderate it, things may possibly slip through.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Links in Press Releases<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>These types of links have just been over-used and abused too many times. This means that most press release sites now use nofollow all links by default anyway.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Advertisements and Sponsored Links<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Any links which are meant to be <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/paid-advertising-and-web-analytics-course\/\">advertisements<\/a>, or are part of a sponsorship arrangement,\u00a0 must be nofollowed. This includes sponsored content, text and image advertising, and run-of-site links.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Paid Links<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you charge in any way for a link (directory submission, quality assessment, reviews, etc.), apply nofollow criteria to the outbound links.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>When to use follow links<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There are several instances in which you should use follow links. Here are some of them:<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Bylines of Authors for Guest Posts<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This is only true if your guest poster is someone you have checked, who posts often on your website, and whose website is one that you trust. Even then, only let your authors include a single link. In addition, only allow their anchor text to be their own name or their company name.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Links to Interviewees<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you are talking to a celebrity, or a subject matter expert, it\u2019s OK to link to that person\u2019s website. However, only use the anchor text (the linkable text) of their name or their company name just to be safe. Providing a link in exchange for your interviewees\u2019 time is the least you can do. In addition, it will assist you with score interviews with other important people in the future.<\/p>\n<p>How do you choose between a dofollow and nofollow link? Be as natural as possible. If you want to link to the site and feel no pressure or obligation to do so, go ahead. If you\u2019re getting money in exchange or you don\u2019t think the site deserves the follow-able link, make it nofollow.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/contact-us\/\">Get in touch with the Digital School of Marketing<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>If you would like to uncover more about how linking helps to improve SEO, check out our<a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/seo-and-web-analytics-course\/\"> SEO and Web Analytics Course.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/seo-and-web-analytics-course\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-758 size-shop_single\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DSM_Footer03-600x96.jpg\" alt=\"DSM Digital School of Marketing SEO and Web Analytics course registration\" width=\"600\" height=\"96\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_justify\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_2\" href=\"#enquiry\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">Enquire Today<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">Blog Categories<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"wpb_text_column us_custom_5cd26a65\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><ul>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-1\"><a href=\"\/blog\/content-marketing\/\">Content Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/digital-marketing\/\">Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/cyber-security-blog\/\">Cyber Security<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/graphic-design-blog\/\">Graphic Design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-3\"><a href=\"\/blog\/public-relations\/\">Public Relations<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-4\"><a href=\"\/blog\/seo\/\">SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/social-media-marketing\/\">Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/web-design-blog\/\">Web Design<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">You might also like<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"w-html\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/social-media-marketing-blog\/zero-moment-of-truth-benefit-social-media-marketing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Use the Zero Moment of Truth to Benefit your Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/your-complete-guide-to-ppc-marketing-basic\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Your Complete Guide to PPC Marketing Basics. Find out more.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/you-can-convey-a-lot-of-meaning-with-just-one-graphic\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">You Can Convey a Lot Of Meaning With Just One Graphic<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/would-you-make-a-great-marketing-manager\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Would you make a great marketing manager?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/in-the-press\/win-with-bona-magazine-and-the-digital-school-of-marketing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Win with Bona Magazine and the Digital School of Marketing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/in-the-press\/win-a-digital-marketing-course-valued-at-r12-000\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Win a Digital Marketing Course Valued at  R12 000<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">Top Selling COurses<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"wpb_text_column us_custom_5cd26a65\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><ul>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-1\"><a href=\"\/courses\/digital-marketing-course\/\">Intermediate Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/courses\/advanced-digital-marketing-course\/\">Advanced Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-3\"><a href=\"\/courses\/social-media-marketing-course\/\">Intermediate Social media marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-4\"><a href=\"\/courses\/digital-brand-management-course\/\">Brand Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/courses\/graphic-design-course\/\">Basic Graphic Design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-6\"><a href=\"\/courses\/advanced-graphic-design-course\/\">Advanced Graphic design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-7\"><a href=\"\/courses\/national-certificate-of-advertising\/\">National Certificate of Advertising<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-8\"><a href=\"\/courses\/national-diploma-of-copywriting-course\/\">National Diploma of Copyrighting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-video align_none ratio_16x9 has_iframe\"><div class=\"w-video-h\"><iframe title=\"Youtube video player\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cImP9WWJVh4?autoplay=0&controls=1&origin=https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za&loop=0&mute=0\" allowfullscreen=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div><div class=\"w-video-icon\" style=\"font-size:1.5rem;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);color:#fff\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5059,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[264],"tags":[489],"class_list":["post-5054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seo-blog","tag-links"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5054"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5054\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}