This is becoming more and more of a question in the blogging/ corporate marketing world. With Google’s terms governing the layout of links, many bloggers are left wondering whether to use no follow links or do follow links. But, on the other end companies are also pondering if they should work with a blogger who does not allow their links to be followed.
First and for most, I’d like to present a question. If everyone, everywhere turned to no follow links, how would anyone ever raise their page rank? We couldn’t because in order to rank higher, we have to have a link web with other worthy sites. And if this web is not allowed to form, well it just won’t exist! So, to me the whole frenzy is getting out of hand. Just my opinion, but you have to admit it does make sense!
Now from a company standpoint, is it worth it to do reviews or have advertising posts with bloggers or other sites who are using no follow links? Upon initial review, it would appear you get no benefits. You are sending out free products or paying for a post about your company, but it is not raising your rank any higher in Google. So, your site will not be in the spotlight on Google if someone searches for a product you may have. I’d like to present a second side to this to shine a new light.
You do not always have to show high on a Google search to be found. Honestly, from past experience there are many times where I stumbled across a product that I would have never dreamed of even searching on Google or any other search engine. That is called ADVERTISING. If I visit a page and happen to see an article on this great new product that I would have never even thought of, I may just have to go buy it! And you have just made a sale off of a NON search engine related post. Get my drift? Before the days of internet, how did products sell? By word of mouth, ie ADVERTISING. Not by ranking as a 7 on Google! Without the net, people would be paying an arm and a leg to advertise in magazines, commercials, and radio ads. I can almost gurantee that sending multiple bloggers a free product to try or paying that few dollars they may ask for a post will reach more people then you could ever imagine and is a lot less costly!
So yes, if you ask me it IS beneficial to work with bloggers or other sites whether they allow do follow links or not. Would you rather place high in a search that may never be made, or would you rather have your name out there in as many places possible where they may actually be stumbled upon by potential customers?
I am a 27 year old, married, stay at home mom of two boys- A two year old son and a ten year old step son. I also have two wonderful pit bulls that are my furbabies. You can find out more about me by visiting my 
I think if the companies want us as bloggers to use do follow they need to pass down a little more then free product. Just a little to say, I know this will take away from your blog rank so here ya go. I know me myself would have no issue with a do follow if it was for more then just a product for 2.. That is just my opinion on it. I like this post. I like how you think and I agree with your point of view. If we as bloggers are not willing to give a little to these types of things then we will lose out on a bunch. like you said. who in their right mind wants to promote a page that they are not getting a benifit from..
Check out Jessica P’s awesome new post here! Walker Bunk bed Giveaway
Heck, free product is sufficient to me as long as companies stop basing their requirements on how high our ranks are. =[ So many will not work with a lower page rank page but sometimes a page rank 1 has a much bigger audience then the page rank 5 may have.
Very nicely said. Honestly some of my favorite products have been found through looking at blogs I love, and trust the opinions given there.
Check out Becky L’s awesome new post here! GoPicnic~ My Review and Giveaway Event
I totally agree….as a blogger we are a huge marketing tool for companies. We do make a difference by reviewing and blogging! I check out reviews before I buy! Lots of people do…many of my friends contact me and ask “Have your blogging friends ever reviewed this item”….that is marketing!
Well written post! Thanks for sharing your views!
All my links are show links because as you said, the web is about linking one another. I wonder though why blogs are going no-show?
Check out Kimberly C.’s awesome new post here! Movie Review — BRAVE
I was recently told I should change all my links to no follow because it would help my Google Page Rank. I get so confused and frustrated with this whole thing, I just want to review products and blog. But if I don’t get my GPR companies won’t sponsor me so I have to do all these things in hopes of improving it. Sometimes I just want to give up.
Check out Jackie Griebel’s awesome new post here! Handmade Bags by Hollywood designer Sadie Hayes
Very well said!! I’m turned down a lot because I don’t yet rank as high as some, however, I still reach a lot of people and I’m growing every day! We, as bloggers, are helping companies reach people they may never have reached before!
Check out Abby Murphy’s awesome new post here! Flash $25 PayPal Giveaway!
I completely AGREE! Word of mouth marketing is much more powerful than ranking highly in Google, especially if you have a product that people aren’t searching for. A prime example is Butt Bench. Who is going to be searching for a “wooden bench for your bathtub”? Yeah, not very many people. But with the power of blogger review, Butt Bench can get a ton of great feedback and links to their website (for purchase). While these links may be nofollow for Google’s purposes, many consumers are “following” them right to the order page.
Check out Jessica Holbrook’s awesome new post here! Summer Beauty Giveaway
Trying to decide if I should leave a link follow or no follow drives me crazy while new posts. I totally agree ……would never have searched for some of these really awesome products that I now know so much about because of blogger reviews!!!
Check out Amanda’s awesome new post here! Mailbox Freebies Wednesday
Pingback: Are “no follow” sites still beneficial to marketing?