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Google Nofollow Update can have a big turnaround in SEO.

Updated: Sep 17, 2019


With the passage of time, things keep changing drastically as everything is meant to be versatile. Google is also following the same policies due to which a big turnaround is expected in SEO. Google Nofollow update can have a big impact on the keyword ranking in SERPS.

Recently there’s been a declaration of Google official statement on no-follow hints that speculation is higher about new nofollow attributes which can create a drift in ranking algorithm. The huge gossips are being heard about Google introduced two new nofollow link attributes such as:

rel=“sponsored” Check for the links on the websites and verify whether these are created for advertisement, sponsorship as well as similar other reasons.

rel=“UGC”: look for the links that are found in user-generated content such as comments as well as forum posts


What Google has to say on changes on no-follow links?


Google No follow link updates

Here’s what declaration been made on Google change in nofollow links


“When nofollow was introduced, Google would not count any link marked this way as a signal to use within our search algorithms. This has now changed.


All the link attributes — sponsored, UGC and nofollow — are treated as hints about which links to consider or exclude within Search.


We’ll use these hints — along with other signals — as a way to better understand how to appropriately analyze and use links within our systems.”


In clear terms, Google nofollow update states that till now the no-follow links were treated like directives which mean Google obeyed nofollow function. From now onwards, Google will be treating no-follow links as hint for ranking purpose. Google change in nofollow links actually impact on-page SEO of website which keeps influencing link building, content marketing as well as link spam.


What the impact of New no-follow attributes on publisher


There’s no such positive impact of new nofollow attributes on publishers. In fact they have opposed adding the new link attribute in nofollow syntax.

There have been zero benefits to publishers upon unveiling of the Google Official Statement on Nofollow Hints

Publishers will not yield any incentive upon using these new link attributes

There’s no benefit to the publisher in the form of a ranking boost.

Implementing a change incurs the huge cost that actually overweighs the benefit

VP content strategy of Aimclear “Mark Traphagen” states that the digital marketing community is still trying to absorb the changes in no-follow attributes. The reasons behind it are that Google has not only redefined how it uses nofollow but also brought in two new attributes such as sponsored and UGC.


Google change in nofollow algorithm help websites in getting link equity


As everyone knows that websites add nofollow to the backlinks automatically which is said to be the unfair decision made by Google. In order to avoid such things, new attributes being launched by the major search engine helps in gaining link equity as well as the enhancement in ranking positions.

You can force any site to offer you a do-follow link as it’s in their policy to give no-follow attributes to the backlink. It won’t be a good decision to refuse and endorse what is being linked up to.


How these no-follow attributes going to benefit Google


Google presented two new nofollow link attributes. One is for demonstrating that a nofollow link is from user-generated content (UGC). The subsequent one is to show that a nofollow link is on sponsored content.

Both of those attributes benefit Google since they can help Google with link counts.

The sponsored link nofollow gives Google a solid insight to not give any PageRank. It likewise adds to Google's comprehension of the page itself, that the page sells sponsored links.


Why Would Google Trust UGC Links?


Google has revealed that UGC nofollow links, effective from September 10, 2019, will be treated as hints. The UGC nofollow gives Google the indication that these links may be helpful for ranking purposes. So Google may choose to pass ranking signals for forum nofollow links, for example.

Forums are said to be the well-defined source of information because individuals share their personal reviews for the product or services being availed by them. The UGC nofollow attribute can give a solid indication that a link posted in a forum may be helpful for ranking purposes because it's a fair and master underwriting. A link from a forum can be viewed as a reliable link.


What Digital marketing agencies have a say on this?


As there are several digital marketing companies in New York United States offering SEO services says that this move by Google to add new attributes to no-follow links will have far-reaching impact as the people having a cry over no-follow links row can have a sigh of relief by adding UGC reference while creating a referring a link. It’s quite easy for them as well to offer relief to their existing clients by making changes in the backlinks created for their website by adding attributes in the no-follow links.


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