For years, nofollow links were considered a minor complement within SEO strategies. They were useful to maintain a balanced link profile or to gain visibility in prestigious media, but they were rarely attributed direct weight in improving rankings.
However, with the emergence of language models (LLMs) in search results and the transformation of SEO into GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), nofollow links are experiencing a second youth.
Today, they have become a key tool for those seeking to gain presence in the new generative search interfaces powered by artificial intelligence.
The revival of nofollow in the era of LLMs
Until recently, a nofollow link was seen as a simple gesture: it served to diversify the backlink profile or appear in relevant media without transferring direct authority. But with the growing influence of generative models (such as ChatGPT, AI Overview, Gemini, or Perplexity), the landscape has changed radically.
These models not only crawl websites like traditional search engines do, but they also learn from context, brand authority, and mentions. Consequently, mentions in trusted media, even if they are nofollow, gain a new strategic dimension.
The algorithms that train or refine answer generation value recurrence, visibility, and source recognition beyond the simple transfer of PageRank.
In this environment, nofollow links regain prominence. It no longer matters whether they “pass authority” in the traditional SEO sense, but whether they help a domain or brand appear in sources that models consider relevant when generating responses.
GEO and the absorption of generative results
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) represents the natural evolution of SEO toward a space where searches are no longer limited to a list of blue links. Now, answers are composed, generated, and recommended directly within the SERP or conversational platforms. It’s what many call the “absorption of traffic”: users consume answers without leaving the generative engine environment.
In this context, companies that manage to appear mentioned or cited in the sources consulted by LLMs gain a huge advantage.
It’s not just SEO as we knew it, but contextual visibility within generated responses. When a language model integrates information from a medium or mentions a brand due to its presence in well-ranked publications, that impact translates into perceived authority, even if the original link was nofollow.
Nofollow as a direct lever of influence
The recent Semrush study on backlinks and AI-generated searches (November 2025) confirms this trend. In its analysis, it demonstrates that nofollow links are beginning to have an influence comparable to dofollow links within strategies focused on GEO and visibility in LLM-generated responses.
Reference: SEMrush Backlinks & AI Search Study
The report highlights that AI models do not discriminate links by their technical attribute (dofollow/nofollow) but by the contextual authority of the source. Thus, a mention in a high-reputation industry media outlet (even if nofollow) can be enough for a language model to integrate it into its responses or recommend the brand to the user.
For digital marketing professionals, this represents an unprecedented opportunity: it’s possible to purchase mentions or nofollow links in quality media to influence perception and generative results, at costs significantly lower than traditional dofollow link campaigns.
Practical strategies with nofollow links
- Focus on thematically authoritative media
The key is selecting media outlets aligned with your company’s niche. Generative models particularly value specific and well-positioned sources within each vertical. You can use our new feature to detect media cited as reference sources for your target term. - Combine massive visibility with sectoral focus
It’s advisable to balance mentions in high-authority general media with specialized publications. The balance between reach, volume, and topical relevance improves the likelihood of being captured by generative response algorithms. - Maintain a natural link profile
Including nofollow links coherently creates a more natural backlink profile and reduces the risk of penalties. It also reinforces credibility for AI crawlers. - Monitor appearances in generative responses
External tools like Semrush or Ahrefs for tracking in LLMs such as Perplexity, Gemini, or ChatGPT can be periodically tested to detect mentions. These appearances constitute a new KPI for digital visibility.
The perfect timing: November and Growwer’s Black Friday
Historically, nofollow links have been more affordable than dofollow ones.
And this November, with the launch of Growwer’s Black Friday, the opportunity is even greater.
Many partner media outlets will apply special offers, allowing you to multiply the volume of publications and mentions with a smaller investment.
Growwer also offers free extra balance bonuses for all top-ups during this period.
It’s the perfect time for those who want to scale their visibility before the end of the year and prepare their projects for 2026 with consolidated authority in generative search environments.
For those seeking guidance: free managed service
If you’re still unsure how to plan a GEO strategy or how to leverage the potential of nofollow links within your campaigns, Growwer offers a free managed service for projects with a minimum investment of €500 per month.
Having an expert team that understands AI model behavior allows you to act precisely, optimizing every euro invested and accelerating your brand’s appearance in generative search environments.
Conclusion: nofollow no longer means no value
The paradigm has changed. Nofollow links, which for years were considered secondary, are now a direct tool to influence the contextual reputation that LLMs associate with each brand. At a time when generative answers are beginning to replace traditional results pages, appearing in the digital conversation is more important than ever.
And for that, there’s no better ally than a well-designed strategy with mentions in relevant media, executed through platforms that provide real access to thousands of options, like Growwer.
This November, with Black Friday activated, the window of opportunity is open: more visibility, lower cost, and greater impact in the new forms of search.
Top up your balance, claim your bonus, and turn nofollow links into your visibility engine for 2026.
