What Are External Links?
External links are hyperlinks that lead users to a different website, outside of the one they’re currently browsing. These links are commonly used to reference related content, cite credible sources, or direct users to helpful resources.
Dofollow vs. Nofollow External Links
External links come in two main forms:
Dofollow links: These allow search engines to pass “link juice” (link equity) from your website to the linked site. This indicates that you endorse the content and consider it authoritative.
Nofollow links: These include a
rel="nofollow"attribute, which tells search engines not to pass link equity. Originally introduced by Google in 2005 to combat spam (particularly in blog comments), nofollow links were seen as strict directives.
However, in 2019, Google updated its approach—treating the nofollow attribute as a hint rather than a rule. This means Google may choose to pass some link equity even on nofollow links, depending on context.
Internal vs. External Links: What’s the Difference?
The key difference lies in where the link leads:
Internal links: Navigate users from one page to another within the same website.
External links: Point to a page on a different domain.
Simply put:
Internal = within your site
External = to another site
Types of External Links
External links fall into two categories:
Outbound links: Links from your website to another site.
Inbound links (or backlinks): Links from other websites pointing to your site.
Both play a role in SEO, but inbound links are especially valuable because they act as endorsements of your content.
Are External Links Good for SEO?
While there is no direct evidence that external links are a ranking factor, they can positively influence SEO indirectly:
They help build trust with your audience by referencing credible sources.
They improve the overall user experience by providing helpful, related content.
They show search engines that your content is part of a broader, relevant topic network.
The key is to link out thoughtfully—only to reputable sources that add value to your content.
Best Practices for Using External Links
Link to high-authority, relevant websites.
Use descriptive anchor text that indicates what the user can expect.
Balance dofollow and nofollow links based on context.
Periodically audit your links to avoid broken or outdated references.