Convert links from nofollow to dofollow on websites

  • Unknown's avatar
    bootxx33 · Member ·

    Hello WordPress Team,

    I would like to report a potential issue regarding comment links.

    I noticed that a link posted inside a comment does not contain the expected rel="nofollow ugc" attribute in the page source. Instead, it appears as a regular dofollow link without any rel attribute.

    As far as I understand, WordPress.com normally applies nofollow to user-generated comment links to prevent spam and SEO manipulation.

    Could you please confirm whether this behavior is intentional or if it may be a bug?

    Thank you for your time and support.

    Best regards.

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • Unknown's avatar
    james3265166 · Member ·

    The absence of the rel=”nofollow ugc” attribute on boot37.wordpress.com is usually not a bug, but rather a result of how WordPress handles logged-in administrators or specific theme/plugin overrides. By default, WordPress applies these attributes to all links in the comment body to combat spam, but if you are viewing a comment you posted while logged in as the Site Administrator, some themes and caching layers strip the nofollow ugc tag for your own view or for “trusted” users. Another possibility is that you have a plugin installed—such as an SEO optimizer or a “Dofollow” comment plugin—specifically designed to remove these tags to encourage engagement. To verify if it is a true bug, check the page source in an Incognito/Private window while logged out; if the rel attributes appear there, the system is working correctly for the public and search engines, and you are simply seeing the “trusted” version of the link.

  • Unknown's avatar
    bootxx33 · Member ·

    “

    I am not the owner or administrator of the website mentioned, and I am writing as a regular user without being logged in. However, I noticed that the link included in my comment appears in the page source without the expected rel="nofollow ugc" attribute.

    The link is displayed as a standard dofollow link without any rel attribute.

    As far as I understand, WordPress.com normally applies the nofollow ugc attribute to user-generated comment links to prevent spam and SEO manipulation.

    For verification, I can provide screenshots showing the page source where the link appears without the rel attribute.

    Please let me know whether this behavior is intentional or if it requires further review.

    Kind regards,

  • Unknown's avatar
    justjennifer · Member ·

    So from what you’ve said, I understand that this is not happening on boot37.wordpress.com. If that is the case, then what site is involved?

    Just to clarify, these forums assist site owners hosted on WordPress.com, the hosting provider. If you’re not sure of the difference, this guide will help explain https://wordpress.com/support/com-vs-org/

  • Unknown's avatar
    bootxx33 · Member ·

    Cornell University Blog Service

    This is the requested website, and there is another one which is built on WordPress.

  • Unknown's avatar
    justjennifer · Member ·

    Since that site is running on the open source WordPress software and not hosted here on WordPress.com, the hosting provider, I suggest you contact the administrator (Get Help links on that page). If you know what commenting plugin is in use, then contacting the plugin author directly is also an option. Cheers.

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