What Are Outbound Links? A Quick Guide

Search-engine-friendly websites don’t exist in isolation. One essential part of SEO that you should pay attention to is using outbound links (also called external links). I think of outbound links as bridges connecting your site’s content to the broader web.

In this post I explain what outbound links are, how they work, and why the difference between dofollow and nofollow matters. I also include a table and suggestions on linking out in a practical way.

Outbound Links 101

Some assume outbound links are just exit points from your site. That view is too limited. Outbound links, simply put:

Outbound links are hyperlinks you place on your site’s pages that point to pages or websites outside your own domain.

In other words, any link on your webpage that sends a user away from your domain to another site counts as an outbound link. These include:

• Links in your main blog content
• Links in your footer or navigation that go to an external resource
• Hyperlinked images or product references leading to other sites

If you’re linking to a competitor, it’s an outbound link. If you’re referencing a related research paper, it’s an outbound link. And if you’re pointing to a tool or statistics, that counts too.

Nofollow vs. Dofollow

When talking about outbound links, the terms “nofollow” and “dofollow” come up. You might also hear just “follow,” which means “dofollow.”

Nofollow Links

A nofollow link is simply coded with a little snippet in the HTML:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Example</a>


This tells search engines, “I’m linking here, but I’m not passing on any authority (or PageRank).” By default, nofollow links don’t boost the destination’s ranking. They serve as a neutral pointer.

Dofollow Links

A dofollow link isn’t an attribute you add, but it refers to a normal link without the rel=“nofollow”. For example:

<a href="https://example.com">Example</a>


Dofollow links pass part of your site’s ranking or credibility to the site you’re linking to, showing that you endorse that page.

Why Use Outbound Links at All?

There is a misconception that linking out can hurt your site or “leak” PageRank. That isn’t the case these days. Here are some genuine advantages:

1. When you reference trustworthy sources, your credibility increases. I enjoy offering my readers external references for detailed statistics or explanations.
2. Content that includes a few relevant links to authoritative sites shows that you are not operating in a vacuum.
3. Mentioning other sites can serve as a subtle form of outreach. A solid reference may encourage the other site to acknowledge you in return.

Of course, linking too much can be problematic, but when used wisely, outbound links add value.

Dofollow or Nofollow

Some worry that dofollow links take away their site’s authority, while nofollow links are ineffective. The choice depends on the situation.

Here’s a table to clarify:

If you trust the page as a solid reference, use a dofollow link. If it seems untrustworthy or comes from user submissions, opt for nofollow. Also, Google’s rel=“sponsored” attribute is useful for affiliate or advertising links.

Best Practices for Outbound Linking

Some people treat outbound links like something to avoid at all costs, while others add them without thinking. A balanced approach works best. Here are some guidelines:

Link to Reputable, High-Quality Sites

Think government sites, respected publications, or well-regarded industry resources. For instance, if you run an auto repair blog, referencing a government safety report can be a strong dofollow link.

Open in a New Tab When Appropriate

If a link is additional reading, setting it to open in a new tab can keep readers on your site. For navigation links or those that are integral to your page flow, opening in the same tab might be preferable.

Use Clear Anchor Text

Avoid vague terms like “click here” or “learn more.” Instead, use anchor text that provides context, for example:
“According to the latest cybersecurity statistics…”
This helps both users and search engines understand the content of the target page.

Avoid Overloading with Outbound Links

A few well-chosen external resources can improve your content, but overusing them can overwhelm or distract readers. I include them only when they add clear context or credibility.

Regularly Check for Broken Links

External links may eventually lead to pages that have been moved or deleted. It’s a good idea to check for broken links every few months using website audit tools.

Do Outbound Links Ever Hurt Your SEO?

When done with care, outbound links rarely cause harm. In fact, they are part of a larger interconnected web. However, a few risks exist:

• Linking to low-quality or questionable sites could affect your reputation with search engines.
• Too many external links might clutter your page and distract readers.
• Paid links need to be marked as nofollow or sponsored; failing to do so can violate guidelines.

In general, a balanced mix works best. Most links should be normal, with a few nofollows reserved for paid or untrusted content.

Real-Life Example

I once wrote about cleaning up a WordPress database and referenced several helpful external tools like WP-Optimize and UpdraftPlus. Each was linked with dofollow because I genuinely valued those resources. The outcome was positive:

• Readers stayed on the page longer, checking which tools might work for them.
• Some visitors clicked to check out those tools and likely found what they needed.
• I received a few inbound links from people who later referenced my post when discussing WordPress maintenance.

Using dofollow on links I trusted made sense for my readers.

Monitoring & Analyzing Your Outbound Links

• Analytics: Track your outbound link clicks with Google Analytics or another tool to see if users are engaging with the external content.
• Review & Clean Up: Periodically revisit old posts. If a site you once trusted becomes less reputable, update the link or switch it to nofollow. Links are active connections and may need updating over time.

Reference Table

Below is a table outlining common outbound link scenarios and recommended approaches:

Frequently Asked Questions: About Outbound links

How many outbound links should I include in a post?

‍I don’t stick to a fixed number, but typically one to five thoughtful, relevant outbound links work well. The focus should always be on providing value to the reader.

Are nofollow links worthless?

‍They can still bring referral traffic, build brand exposure, and add to a varied link profile. They simply do not pass on SEO authority in the same way.

How do I find broken outbound links on my site?

‍SEO audit tools can help identify 404 errors. Occasionally using a “broken link checker” plugin or a separate SEO tool can save you time and trouble.

Are there times I should avoid linking out altogether?

‍For example, if you’re working on a sales page or funnel page, you might choose to restrict external links—especially if they lead to competitors. It depends largely on the context and user experience priorities.