Google: Links Within Widgets Must Be Nofollowed

Aug 13, 2013 - 8:53 am 65 by

widget links

Yesterday, Matt Cutts, Google's head of search spam, posted another video on links clearly telling widget makers and those who embed widgets on their own sites that those links should be nofollowed.

He said clearly, "I would recommend putting a nofollow, especially on widgets."

Honestly, this message should come as no surprise. Matt said so even back in 2008 but obviously it didn't make much of a difference back then. The links still counted and still worked. But now with Google going after more and more links, I would expect you should be more careful with widgets. Also, in 2011 we discussed this specific topic quoting Google's John Mueller in our story Google Says You Can't Hide Links With Disclosure.

Matt also mentioned his distaste for infographics and how Google will discount those links as well.

So in short, if you distribute widgets or place widgets on your own site, nofollow those links. Heck, I post polls here often and I have not nofollowed those links. Although the link does link directly to the poll, so I am not sure how "bad" it is.

Forum discussion at Google+ and WebmasterWorld.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: September 2, 2025

Sep 2, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

September 2025 Google Webmaster Report

Sep 2, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

New Google Ads Checkboxes To Filter Campaigns

Sep 2, 2025 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Ads AI Max Not Designed To Go More Aggressively After SPN Inventory

Sep 2, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Search Google Maps For Location Assets

Sep 2, 2025 - 7:21 am
Google

Google Search Mini Game Encourages Searchers To Search More

Sep 2, 2025 - 7:11 am
 
Previous Story: Google Wants To See You Really Mean It With Reconsideration Request