Nofollow is Not a Substitute for Noindex

Google recently clarified that using the nofollow attribute on links is not an effective substitute for the noindex directive. Despite common misconceptions, Google is capable of discovering and indexing pages linked with a nofollow attribute.

Key Insights from Google’s Search Advocate

John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, addressed this topic during the Google Search Central SEO office-hours hangout on January 7. He explained that while nofollow signals to Google that it shouldn’t pass PageRank to certain pages, it does not guarantee that those pages will remain unindexed.

The Role of Nofollow vs. Noindex

Mueller emphasized that if a page should not appear in Google’s search results, the correct approach is to use the noindex directive. Simply relying on nofollow is insufficient because it does not prevent Google from accidentally discovering and indexing the page.

“If you really want a page to be blocked from indexing, make sure it has a noindex on it,” Mueller advised. “Don’t rely on us not accidentally running across a random link to that page.”

Nofollow as a Hint, Not a Directive

Mueller referenced an article by Gary Illyes, Google Webmaster Trends Analyst, which further explained that nofollow is treated by Google as a hint rather than a directive. This means that while nofollow suggests to Google not to pass PageRank or follow a link, Google may still index the page if it deems it necessary.

Moreover, nofollow can sometimes be used as a signal for link discovery, particularly when it comes to new content on the web. This reinforces the importance of using the noindex directive if the goal is to prevent a page from being indexed.

Conclusion: Use noindex for Effective Page Exclusion

In summary, the nofollow attribute should not be used as a substitute for noindex. To ensure that a webpage is not indexed by Google and does not appear in search results, it is essential to implement the noindex directive. This is the only guaranteed method to keep a page out of Google’s search index.

By understanding the distinct roles of nofollow and noindex, website owners and SEOs can better control which pages are indexed by Google, ensuring that their SEO strategies are executed effectively.

Hear Mueller’s full response in the video below:

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