Why Outbound Links Matter for SEO Success

When developing a new website, SEO experts frequently focus on acquiring backlinks, optimising on-page factors, and producing quality content. Yet one tactic that has often been underestimated is the utilisation of outbound links strategically.

For a new website, outbound links can play a key role in building credibility, relevance, and authority with search engines. 

This guide examines the value of outbound links for SEO and a few suggestions on how to utilise them (especially when your website is new).

What are Outbound Links?

Outbound links in SEO are the hyperlinks that are clickable and direct users from your website to other relevant websites (information citations), also known as external links.

These links not only help build your website’s topical authority but also help users navigate their way to more detailed information if they wish to explore further.

The outcome? 

Your readers will start to consider your website as a reliable source for information related to your niche. 

Outbound Links Vs. Inbound Links in SEO - Key Differences

Types of Outbound Links: Dofollow vs. Nofollow

Now that you have understood what these outbound links mean for SEO, let’s turn your attention to understanding the types:

Dofollow Links

These are standard links that allow search engines like Google to point authority and value (link juice) back to your website. 

Simply put, dofollow links show search engines the high DA websites/blogs/posts that are linked with yours and automatically transfer authority to you.

This hyperlink has no special attribute and is considered an instruction given to search engines not to follow it. 

For example, when you hyperlink a piece of information on your website content to an external website without adding a special attribute (rel="nofollow”), it becomes a dofollow link.

Nofollow Links

These are also considered essential outbound links in SEO, but are slightly different from their other half, the dofollow links.

The hyperlinks from other external websites come with the (rel="nofollow") attribute in the HTML code that primarily tells the search engine to straightaway ignore them. 

These links did not pass the PageRank test; hence, they are highly unlikely to add much value to your website, especially from the search rankings standpoint.

No authority is passed on, and no change in your website ranking occurred because of these nofollow outbound links.

However, the question is - why do nofollow links even exist?

Nofollow links were introduced to help curb spam and prevent manipulative link-building tactics, especially in user-generated content like blog comments and forums. 

These links signal to search engines not to transfer "PageRank" (a metric that reflects a page’s authority) from the source page to the linked page. 

This helps prevent low-quality or spammy sites from gaining an unfair SEO advantage through mass link drops in comment sections and similar areas.

Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links: Comprehensive Comparison Table

How Search Engines View Outbound Links

Google and its fellow search engines, like Microsoft Bing, consider outbound links (present on your web pages and blogs) as strong authority signals and attach more credibility to your website content. This is directly connected to the authority of the websites you chose to link with.

Let's dissect how search engines perceive these connections:

1. Quality Associations

When you are linking to high-quality websites in your niche/industry, search engines consider that your content is well-researched and trustworthy. 

Automatically, your authority and reputation increase in your niche.

2. Relevance on the Page

Your content authority manifolds when your data is supported by proper citations (outbound links to high DA websites).

Search engines can not only determine your website's subject matter but also consider you as a trustworthy information source. 

Now, you have a better chance of appearing higher on search engine results pages for related searches because Google and other engines trust you and boost your position.

3. Link Neighborhood

Here's a cautionary tale for you - avoid linking to spammy or low-quality websites. Such links can pull your position down and negatively impact your reputation. 

Maintaining a clean link profile is essential for preserving your authority.

4. Natural Link Patterns

Do you know what search engines like Google prefer? 

A natural blend of internal and external links that look organic and natural. 

When you heavily rely on artificial link schemes, you will damage your site's credibility.

The Relationship Between Outbound Links and SEO

This has been established - outbound links in SEO are a great tactic to demonstrate your topical authority to Google and other search engines.

Below is a detailed recap of their benefits to enhance your SEO efforts:

1.Building Topical Authority

By referencing relevant and authoritative sources, you inform search engines that your content is well-researched and in step with credible information hubs in your niche.

2. Improving Content Value

Carefully chosen outbound links to other resources enhance the user experience by offering additional context, supporting your arguments, and maintaining reader interest.

3. Search Engine Trust Signals

Google's algorithms understand contextually relevant external links as signals of content quality and trust- sites that link out in context are themselves likely to be better sources of information.

4. Relationship Building

Referring to industry leaders and related businesses can create mutual relationships, which can result in beneficial backlinks and partnerships.

Why Outbound Links Matter More for New Websites

^{Establishing Topical Relevance}

Signal to search engines what your site is about by linking to related authoritative sources, helping algorithms categorise your content correctly.

^{Building Trust with Search Engines}

Demonstrate credibility by connecting to respected sources, showing you value accurate and quality information.

Demonstrating Content Quality and Research

Show you've done your homework by backing claims with authoritative references, proving your content is well-researched.

^{Compensating for Limited Backlink Profiles}

Offset your lack of inbound links by connecting to quality resources and establishing credibility while building your reputation.

Conclusion

Outbound links in SEO may seem like you're sending traffic away, but in reality, they build trust, enhance user experience, and signal search engines that your content is well-researched. Especially for new websites, strategic outbound linking to high-authority sources can accelerate credibility and long-term SEO growth.