This factor reports how many of a result URL’s backlinks the data provider classifies as nofollow. It is an observed count, not a target to raise — and a zero can mean “no links” or simply “no data.”
| Factor ID | RG-BLK-020 |
|---|---|
| Family | Backlinks & authority |
| Measurement | Provider-supplied count |
| Measured zone | Off-page URL data |
What it measures
This factor reports the backlinks pointing at the result URL that the backlink data provider classifies as nofollow — links whose markup signals that the linking site is not passing a straightforward endorsement. It is a single count drawn from provider data about the page’s off-page link profile, alongside RankGear’s other backlink measures.
How RankGear measures it
RankGear reads the nofollows field stored for the exact result URL as supplied by the backlink data provider. When the provider returns no data for that URL, the value is 0. RankGear does not crawl the linking pages itself or re-derive the classification — it surfaces the number the provider recorded for that specific URL.
How to read it
| If the value is… | Read it as |
|---|---|
| A positive count | The provider found this many links it labels nofollow for the URL. Judge them by source and outcome, not by the total alone. |
| Zero | Ambiguous: either the URL genuinely has no nofollow links, or the provider simply had no data for it. Confirm before concluding anything. |
How to optimize it
Treat this as an observation, not a target. Do not try to hit a particular nofollow total. Earn legitimate visibility and citations, and let the link profile follow from that work — nofollow links can still drive discovery, referral traffic, and brand value even when they are not framed as endorsements.
Important considerations
- Nofollow is not automatically low quality — many reputable placements are nofollow by default.
- Provider classification and data freshness vary between sources and over time.
- A zero can mean genuinely no nofollow links, or simply no provider data for the URL.
- Evaluate individual sources and outcomes rather than reading the raw count in isolation.
- This count relates to position within a measured result set; it is a prioritization signal, not proof that nofollow links cause or guarantee any ranking.
Related factors
Part of the Factors reference · how RankGear measures · glossary.