Quick Reference
Element Code: LI-003
Issue: Internal links have rel="nofollow" attribute
Impact: Blocks PageRank flow between your own pages
Fix: Remove nofollow from internal links (with rare exceptions)
Detection: Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, View Source
What Is This Issue?
The nofollow attribute tells search engines not to pass ranking signals through a link. Using it on internal links prevents your own pages from benefiting from internal link equity, which hurts your site's overall SEO.
Why This Matters
Internal links distribute authority throughout your site. When you nofollow internal links, you're essentially blocking the flow of your own ranking power.
When Nofollow on Internal Links Is Acceptable
- Login/registration pages
- Shopping cart pages
- Internal search result pages
- User-generated content areas (for spam control)
How to Fix This Issue
- Audit Internal Links: Find all internal links with nofollow
- Evaluate Each: Does nofollow serve a legitimate purpose?
- Remove When Unnecessary: Delete nofollow from normal content links
- Check Plugins: Some SEO plugins incorrectly add nofollow
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
You're using nofollow on links to your own pages. This blocks PageRank from flowing between your pages, which hurts your SEO. Remove nofollow from internal links unless they go to login pages, carts, or other pages you don't want indexed.
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