Blog commenting is a great way to drive targeted traffic to your site, as well as create great backlinks.
However, the question that I get asked a lot is “What’s the point of commenting on NoFollow blogs?”
There is obviously a lot of uncertainty on the subject, so I decided to give it some attention. If you need to brush up on the basics of NoFollow/DoFollow concept, read my previous post Juicy Blog Traffic: Want Some? DoFollow!
To level with you, there is no right and wrong answer here because nobody really knows for sure. There is evidence to support both claims.
My job today is to provide you with some food for thought regarding commenting on NoFollow blogs. What you do with it is up to you.
There are several studies posted on the subject and they all bring different value to the table.
My favorite one was done by Michelle MacPhearson (her website is down for some reason, so I can’t link to it) for its simplicity and transparency. I am sure some of you will object to her conclusions and, since I did not do the study, I say with relief “Talk it out with Michelle”.
I thought I’d run the same study as Ben did last year and see if I could get my site to rank for a keyword that (1) is not on my site and (2) only use blog comments to get anchor text links for my keyword. I, like Ben, chose a misspelling simply because I’d be able to see results very quickly that way.
The term: ultilevel marketing
The results as of 5:44pm PST on 2/18/2008 after leaving about 15 blog comments with the help of Comment Hut to find relevant blogs are that I am ranked #1 for the keyphrase in Google, Yahoo and MSN.
What does this mean?
- Nofollow links with well chosen anchor text can pass link juice
- Blog commenting on nofollow blogs is still an effective way to increase search engine ranking for a term.
- Thoughtful and interesting blog comments will always bring human visitors.
And that’s THE KEY to the entire debate, as far as I am concerned.
Thoughtful and interesting blog comments will always bring human visitors.
DoFollow or not, one of the biggest ideas behind blog commenting - driving targeted traffic back to your blog - still rules.
My suggestion: don’t waste your valuable time trying to figure out whether a post is worth to leave a comment. If the content deserves it and you have something valuable to add to the discussion, do it.
How about you start now? Whenever you leave a comment on this blog, I will always come back to your site and even leave a comment. So you see you WILL get comments and traffic by commenting on Traffic Generation Cafe.
Love it or hate it? Comment to show me that you’re alive!
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Ana: I came across this blog as I was doing some recon on an SEO guy, and thought the topic was worth commenting on dofollow or not! I have personally commented on nofollow blogs just because of the topic or because I had a point to make (hopefully), but I have always heard that dofollow is better.
I comment no matter what, Phil. I think networking through commenting is far more important and beneficial than getting a link, although the latter doesn’t hurt. lol
The age old question of whether or not nofollow follows is an interesting one. I really support the idea that links, nofollow or follow, are valuable when you are able to get human traffic from them.
Becoming part of a conversation in what seems to be a more and more social place to be (online) never really hurts. On top of that I find that nofollow links still help out for getting indexed quickly which is always a plus too.
Nofollow are definitely still worth attention. Those who are clever may even get more from nofollow links than dofollow links! Try being the first to comment on new posts and hot topics and see a nice wave of traffic flow to your site. Follow me? 😛
Hi ana, and thanks for this nice post about the point on commenting no follow blogs. I tend to comment same quantity of dofollow blogs and nofollow blogs because it’s a more natural looking netlinking. And by the way it think you are also right for stating that it helps to rank on your keywords anyway. Well at least I hope so … 🙂
Thanks for coming by and Happy New Year!
Thanks for this great post Ana,
it is my first of being here and it is a pleasure for me to comment on your blog, I’ve read your post and I found it really useful. I invite you to visit my website also. You are welcome! 🙂
Yasir Khan.
Hi Ana, I accidentally stumbled onto your site whilst checking on marketing blogs and am glad I did. No-follow sites or do-follow, I comment either way. Providing the article has substance.
There are difference of opinions on this subject matter online. But I have to say I agree with you to apply both options for more natural link building.
Definitely so. Welcome!
I was looking for some backlinks on blogs and I find you.
I have read your article and I can not decide if to waste me time with nofollow blogs.
It`s nice to see a nice christian girl at the other side of the world.
I hope will meet in heaven with our Saivor - Jesus.
Keep the good work! Be a light!
I definitely think you should comment on blogs whether they are do or nofollow, Filmari - both have their advantages and their place in link building.
Blessings
Commenting on relevant blogs, whether nofollowed or not nofollowed, is worthwhile because it’s not all about the link juice; it’s about sharing something worthwhile with the community. Posting ‘great comment’ or ‘nicely said’ comments is pointless, regardless of whether the link is followed or not because the value of the comment is useless.
If you have something to say, share it - don’t worry about whether Google looks upon your link with loving eyes 😉
You’re absolutely right, Darren. Thanks for pointing that out.
Just wanted to say thanks Ana! This has been something that I have also been sweating over, but my instincts were that the no-follow links still had value. I appreciate the heads up.
Just wanted to say thanks Ana! This has been something that I have also been sweating over, but my instincts were that the no-follow links still had value. I appreciate the heads up.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this statement, Ana. “Thoughtful and interesting blog comments will always bring human visitors.”
I’ve seen this to be true with my own commenting. Since I am in the middle of my 90 day challenge (which includes making 3,000 comments), I am in no place to be extremely picky about the posts for which I’m commenting.
Still, I want to spend my time reading quality posts so I’ve expanded my comments to the big no follow blogs like ProBlogger. What I’m seeing in Google Analytics is one of my top 10 sources of referral traffic is no ProBlogger. I used to read and not comment since there was no link juice being passed, but now I see that wasn’t a very smart strategy.
Hey Ana,
So many gurus with contrasting opinions supported with valid evidence that sometimes you don’t know which one to believe.
Anyway, what I do is comment as much as possible on contents I think deserve my comments and leave the rest for the almighty google.
Thanks for sharing this, Ana!
Tosin
Ana,
I know this was not your conclusion, but I wanted to get your take on it. With regards to the first statement:
“Nofollow links with well chosen anchor text can pass link juice”
It seems to me that just because a site can rank for the phrase based on nofollow links, doesn’t mean the links pass link juice. The only way I’ve seen Google use the term link juice is in relation to PageRank, but I don’t think the link has to pass page rank in order to show up in the SERPs. So maybe it passes TrustRank (or AuthorityRank, or whatever you want to call it), but maybe it’s not passing PageRank juice. Thoughts?
I see your point, TJ.
And yes, I agree that it’s not necessarily PR we are talking about, but overall site/page authority.
As you and I both know, you don’t need PR to rank highly for a keyword, but rather “authority” that is passed through such links; “vote of confidence” if you will.
Ana
My wish DoFollow link is best, because it generates very strong backlinks and also increase Page rank..
Of course, it is and it does, Fareed.
I too think that both are important. Both are having their own importance, either Dofollow or …
Thanks 🙂
You definitely need both, Sharat; you are right about that!
I’ll start by admitting that I am really new to blogging, I setup my blog just a few weeks ago and have not really got into it yet 🙂
The impression I get from reading this though is that I should add the WP do follow plugin to my blog site.
I will be reading and checking into this before going ahead with that though 🙂
best wishes
Thom
Doing proper research is always the way to go, Thom. Let me know if you have any questions.
Ana
In my experience, Nofollow no follow and I am going to be very honest with you. When it comes to looking for links I look for dofollow. However, when is about blog commenting I like to do it well. If I am going to receive a link in exchange of comment, I like to give something of value to the blog owner.
I understand that, Daniel - when I do my link building, I too look for DoFollow blogs.
If you are putting all the work, might as well maximize the benefit, right? 🙂
However, when I am trying to network and connect with other bloggers, I don’t really care that most of them are nofollow.
Thanks for coming by!
Ana
Hi Ana,
An awesome piece of writing, I believe for traffic generation do follow, no follow does not matters, more commenting make the blog or website indexing very fast.
With Quality Dofollow links you can able to increase the highly PR an site or blog value. We cannot ignore it, whether doFollow or nofollow we have to be on traffic, that is the only meal what our blog or website required.
Thanks for Sharing
-Imran
If I like the content of an article or post I leave a comment, dofollow or not, comments also increases your traffic
Ok, this was a great concise post on do/nofollows when it comes to comments on other people’s blogs. Thank you! I’m still considering the WP plug-“WP-dofollow” for my comments, but I am relaxed about commenting on blogs that are nofollow.
Hi Sally,
Thanks for taking time to read my post. I’m glad you did and hope to see more of you.
Take Care,
Ana
Can’t agree more on what you say Ana! I never check whether a blog is a dofollow or a nofollow blog, good quality content is the only thing that deserves my attention and my time for leaving a comment ! Michela 🙂
Hello Michela,
I’m glad you learned something from this blog. Actually lots of us usually don;t bother knowing if a blog i a dofollow or nofollow. Me myself didn’t know that before but I also realized its importance.
All the best,
Ana
Glad you came my way, Timothy.
You are absolutely right, there are advantages of commenting that apply whether you are on a dofollow or nofollow blog.
See you back soon.
Ana
Ana,
I place comments on mostly cooking blogs which mostly are no-follow. This is good point to know that follow or no-follow, putting right, relevant and useful comment should help.
Yes, and good comments will also bring you traffic - the other plus of commenting on other blogs.
Thanks for commenting on mine!