How to get a dofollow backlink for your startup (and why it matters)

Backlinks are still one of the strongest signals search engines use to decide which pages to trust. But not all links are equal, and the difference between a dofollow and a nofollow link decides whether a backlink actually helps your rankings. Here is what each means and how to get good ones for your startup.

Dofollow vs nofollow

A dofollowlink is the default: search engines follow it and pass authority (often called “link equity”) from the linking page to yours. That authority is part of how your pages earn rankings over time.

A nofollow link carries a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to pass that authority. It can still send you referral traffic and brand exposure, but it does not directly move your rankings. Many large platforms apply nofollow to user-submitted outbound links by default.

How to get dofollow backlinks for your startup

Launch on platforms that link to you. The fastest dofollow backlink is one you control: launching on Puthusu gives you a permanent dofollow backlink the moment your product is published.
Submit to quality directories. Curated startup and product directories often link out. Pick relevant, real ones - see our best startup directories list.
Write guest posts for blogs in your niche, with a natural link back to a relevant page on your site.
Earn press and roundups.Being featured in “best tools for X” articles is one of the most durable backlink sources.
Publish link-worthy content - original data, free tools, or genuinely useful guides that other people want to cite.

Quality beats quantity

A handful of dofollow links from relevant, trusted sites is worth more than hundreds of low-quality ones. Avoid paid link schemes and spammy directories - they can hurt you. Focus on links that a real human would consider a useful reference. For more on how this fits into modern SEO, read do backlinks still matter for SEO in 2026.

The simplest first dofollow backlink is a launch. Launch your product on Puthusu and get a permanent dofollow link to your site the moment you go live.

Frequently asked questions

What is a dofollow backlink?

A dofollow backlink is a link from another website that search engines follow and count, passing ranking authority (link equity) to your site. It is the default type of link. A nofollow link includes a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to pass that authority.

How do I get a dofollow backlink for my startup?

Get dofollow backlinks by launching on platforms that link to you (like Puthusu, which gives a permanent dofollow backlink on publish), submitting to quality startup directories, writing guest posts, earning press coverage, and creating content other sites want to cite.

Are dofollow or nofollow backlinks better for SEO?

Dofollow backlinks pass SEO authority and directly help rankings, so they are more valuable for SEO. Nofollow links can still drive referral traffic and brand awareness, and a natural backlink profile contains both, but dofollow links from relevant sites are the ones that move rankings.

Does Puthusu give a dofollow backlink?

Yes. Puthusu gives every published product a permanent dofollow backlink to your website the moment your launch goes live, so the SEO value starts compounding immediately rather than being gated behind upvotes or rankings.