What are do-follow forums?

Do-follow forums are online discussion platforms where links included in user-contributed content are not automatically set to "no-follow." In SEO terminology, a "do-follow" link is a hyperlink that allows search engines to follow it and pass link equity (or link juice) from the referring site to the linked site. This can potentially influence the search engine ranking of the linked site.

Here are some key characteristics of do-follow forums:

1. **Link Equity**: In do-follow forums, links included in posts, comments, or signatures contribute to the linking site's SEO authority. This means search engines like Google will consider these links when calculating the authority and relevance of the linked site.

2. **SEO Impact**: Obtaining do-follow links from forums can positively impact a website's search engine rankings, especially if the forum is relevant to the linked site's topic or industry.

3. **Moderation**: Many forums have moderation policies that regulate the quality of posts and links. Spammy or low-quality posts with irrelevant links may be removed or marked as no-follow to maintain the forum's credibility.

4. **User Engagement**: Forums are typically interactive platforms where users can ask questions, share information, and participate in discussions. Do-follow links in forums encourage user participation and engagement by providing an incentive for users to contribute valuable content.

5. **Risk of Abuse**: Because do-follow links pass SEO authority, some forums may attract spammers or individuals seeking to manipulate search engine rankings through excessive link-building practices. Moderation is crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain the forum's integrity.

It's important for SEO practitioners to approach do-follow forums ethically and responsibly. Focus on participating in relevant discussions, providing value to the community, and including links naturally where they add genuine value. Overly promotional or spammy tactics are likely to be frowned upon by forum moderators and may lead to penalties from search engines if detected.