Using both dofollow & nofollow links within the same blog site (but different post).

[90miLLA]

Hi all,

I have been actively pursuing bloggers for my site in order to build page rank. My website sells women undergarments that are more on the exotic end.

I noticed a large amount of prospective bloggers demand product samples. As already confirm, bloggers that are given "free" samples should use a rel=no follow attribute in their links.

Unfortunately this does not build my page rank or transfer links juice. My question is this: is it advisable for them to also blog additional posts and include dofollow links? The idea is for the blogger to use a nofollow when posting about the sample and a regular link for a secondary post at a later time.

What are you thoughts concerning this matter?

[Kurt_Steinbrueck]

I want to start by agreeing with everything Alex has said.  He's absolutely right.

To answer your question directly, I would think nofollow should be used when the blogger writes the review.  If they mention you and link to you in later posts, that's their editorial choice and those links can be followed.  Technically, if the blogger mentions/links to you in later posts, you don't really have anything to do with it and it's their choice whether the make the link followed or not.

[Alex-Harford]

Hi Carlos,

If the blogger is giving the links because it's their own editorial choice then it shouldn't be a problem, but by saying "I have been actively pursuing bloggers for my site in order to build page rank." isn't that a violation of Google's terms on link schemes?

"Any links intended to manipulate PageRank or a site's ranking in Google search results may be considered part of a link scheme and a violation of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines."

These two videos are related and might be worth a watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGieiNe6RL4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSEqypgIJME

[90miLLA]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your response. I agree with you that all niche blogs should be welcome for the most part.

However, I would like to know how my page ranking would be affected if a blogger uses both regular "dofollow" links and "nofollow" links in their own blogs when blogging about my website/product. For example, if on Tuesday they post a product review with a "nofollow" attribute link and then on Friday they post again; this time their own thoughts on the company with a regular "dofollow" link? How does this affect me?

I am trying to avoid anything that may seem like a link scheme as outlined here: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66356?hl=en

Thanks for your input and update on anchor text.

Carlos

[Alex-Harford]

I wouldn't worry about whether a link is dofollow or nofollow*.

I'd look at the blogs who might be reviewing your product to see if they're likely to send paying customers to your website. Do people engage with the blog, for example? Do they leave comments and share the content? Has anyone mentioned buying a product on the blogger's recommedation? Does the blogger have many Twitter followers who interact with them? In other words, Is the blogger influential?

I wouldn't miss out the smaller blogs though - if you see a great-looking/well-written new blog, the blogger will probably be overjoyed with a free sample and appreciate your support. Who knows where that could lead one day?

*A caveat or two - just don't do anything to excess. It might look unnatural if 99% of your links are from blog product reviews. So try to keep a varied link profile. And don't ask for anchor text - these days it's best for anchor text to be the URL itself or company name.