nofollow

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“Nofollow” is a concept used in the field of Search Engine Optimization[1] (SEO). Introduced to combat blog[4] comment spam, it is a type of link relation that signals a link is not an endorsement. Its specification is copyrighted by its authors and is implemented in a webpage’s coding. Search engines like Google[2], Yahoo, and Bing respect this attribute, using it as a guideline for page ranking; they do not consider nofollow links when calculating the PageRank[3]. Over time, the use of nofollow has been repurposed by SEO professionals to control PageRank flow within sites, leading to controversy. Google has introduced new attributes such as rel=sponsored and rel=ugc to address these criticisms, offering more link qualification options. It’s important to note that different search engines may interpret nofollow in various ways.

Terms definitions
1. Search engine optimization ( Search Engine Optimization ) Search engine optimization, commonly referred to as SEO, is a critical digital marketing strategy. Originating in the mid-90s, SEO involves enhancing websites to achieve higher rankings on search engine results pages. This process is essential for increasing web traffic and converting visitors into customers. SEO employs various techniques, including page design, keyword optimization, and content updates, to enhance a website's visibility. It also involves the use of tools for monitoring and adapting to search engine updates. SEO practices range from ethical 'white hat' methods to the disapproved 'black hat' techniques, with 'grey hat' straddling both. While SEO isn't suitable for all websites, its effectiveness in internet marketing campaigns cannot be underestimated. Recent industry trends such as mobile web usage surpassing desktop usage highlight the evolving landscape of SEO.
2. Google ( Google ) Google is a globally recognized technology company, primarily known for its search engine. Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the company has grown vastly, diversifying into various tech-related sectors. Google provides a broad spectrum of products and services, including Gmail, Maps, Cloud, YouTube, and Android. It also produces hardware like Pixel smartphones and Chromebooks. The company, now a part of Alphabet Inc. since 2015, is renowned for its innovation and workplace culture, encouraging employees to work on personal projects. Despite facing various legal and ethical issues, Google continues to impact the tech industry with its innovations and technical advancements, such as the development of Android OS and the acquisition of AI-focused companies.
nofollow (Wikipedia)

nofollow is a setting on a web page hyperlink that directs search engines not to use the link for page ranking calculations. It is specified in the page as a type of link relation; that is: <a rel="nofollow" ...>. Because search engines often calculate a site's importance according to the number of hyperlinks from other sites, the nofollow setting allows website authors to indicate that the presence of a link is not an endorsement of the target site's importance.

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