An experiment with 6 links below.
Let’s start with the absolute basics: link attributes.
If a link has the nofollow attribute, does it pass page rank/link juice?
This usually sparks a lengthy debate about how links also carry trust, and how a diverse backlink profile is necessary overall.
And what a link actually passes—trust, authority, or just money from the buyer to the seller.
I don’t rely on words; I trust tests. As usual.
Though publicly, I still haven’t seen concrete measurements on whether nofollow works or not, and how exactly.
6 links were switched to the nofollow attribute (previously dofollow).
I just checked the rankings—here are the fresh results right out of the oven.
1. The link passed ranking power for a long time, but after 2 months it finally dropped—rankings slipped.
2. The second link dropped almost immediately.
3. The third link also held for 2 months before finally giving up—rankings took a hit.
4. The fourth link is the most interesting—it keeps appearing and disappearing, but the downward trend is clear.
It’s tough surviving in this world with a nofollow attribute :))
5. The fifth link dropped out immediately on the exact same day.
6. The sixth link dropped off within a few days as well.
You have the results—decide for yourself whether you need such links or not. As you can see, testing sometimes takes a lot of time. Things aren’t always clear-cut right off the bat.