Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count? A Comprehensive Guide

Shady Elbody December 01, 2024

Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?

Explore how noindex pages and backlinks impact SEO. Learn actionable tips, tools, and advanced tactics for better rankings.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an ever-evolving field, and one of the most debated topics is the role of backlinks from "noindex" pages. Do they contribute to rankings, or are they only useful for indirect benefits? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about "noindex" backlinks, including actionable tips, tools, and advanced tactics.

Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


Table of Contents

  1. What Are "Noindex" Pages?
  2. Do Backlinks from "Noindex" Pages Count?
  3. Real-World Examples
  4. Advanced SEO Tactics
  5. Actionable Tips
  6. Tools and Resources
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Conclusion

1. What Are "Noindex" Pages?

"Noindex" pages are web pages that are excluded from search engine indexes. While they are not included in search results, these pages can still be crawled and contain backlinks. Common use cases for "noindex" include:

  • Internal pages like thank-you or login pages.
  • Duplicate or thin content.
  • Gated or subscription-only content.
  • Pages under review or revision.

Although they don’t directly appear in search results, these pages can still generate referral traffic and influence your SEO indirectly.
Learn more from Google Webmaster Guidelines.

Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


2. Do Backlinks from "Noindex" Pages Count?

The value of backlinks from "noindex" pages depends on how search engines interpret them:

  • Direct Rankings Impact: Low. Since the page is not indexed, its backlinks may not pass the same ranking signals as those from indexed pages.
  • Referral Traffic: High. These links can still drive significant traffic, especially if the "noindex" page is highly relevant or authoritative.
  • Brand Visibility: Moderate. While these links don’t contribute directly to search engine visibility, they can expose your content to users who visit the "noindex" page.

Key Insight: Focus on backlinks from indexed pages for rankings but leverage "noindex" backlinks for referral traffic and visibility.

Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


3. Real-World Examples

Example 1: Referral Traffic from a Noindex Page

A startup saw 15% of its monthly traffic originating from backlinks on a "noindex" job board. This indirect traffic helped the company grow its brand awareness and secure additional indexed backlinks.

Example 2: Removing "Noindex" to Boost Rankings

An e-commerce site removed the "noindex" directive from its category pages, resulting in a 35% increase in organic traffic within three months and improved product page rankings.

Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


4. Advanced SEO Tactics

To maximize the potential of backlinks and "noindex" pages, advanced SEO tactics like link reclamation and canonical tags can help you strategically manage and recover link equity.

1. Link Reclamation: Recovering Links from "Noindex" Pages

What Is Link Reclamation?
Link reclamation is the process of identifying and recovering backlinks that aren’t contributing to your SEO because the linking page is "noindex," removed, or otherwise inaccessible.

Steps to Reclaim Links from "Noindex" Pages:

Step 1: Identify Valuable Backlinks on "Noindex" Pages

  • Use Backlink Tools: Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz can help you locate backlinks pointing to your site from "noindex" pages.
  • Evaluate Link Quality: Assess whether the linking page is authoritative and relevant. High-authority backlinks are worth reclaiming, while low-quality links might not be worth the effort.

Step 2: Contact the Site Owner

Reach out to the webmaster or content manager of the linking site. Explain the situation and provide a solution:

  • Option 1: Remove the "Noindex" Directive: Request that the linking page be indexed if it provides value to both their audience and search engines.
  • Option 2: Redirect to an Indexed Page: Suggest redirecting the "noindex" page to an indexed page if the original content is outdated or redundant.
Template

Subject: Request to Optimize Link to [Your Page Title]

Dear [Webmaster/Editor Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I’m [Your Name] from [Your Website], and I noticed that one of your pages, [Page URL], contains a link to our content at [Your Page URL]. Thank you so much for including us in your article!

I noticed that the page is marked as "noindex," which may limit its visibility and link equity. If it fits your strategy, could you consider either removing the "noindex" directive or redirecting the page to an indexed one? This small change could enhance visibility for both of our sites.

I’d be happy to discuss further or assist if needed. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Best regards,  
[Your Name]  
[Your Contact Information]  

Step 3: Monitor Changes

After contacting the webmaster, use tools like Google Search Console to track whether the status of the backlink changes and whether it starts contributing to your SEO.

2. Canonical Tags: Pairing with "Noindex" for Consolidated Link Signals

What Are Canonical Tags?
Canonical tags (<link rel="canonical" href="URL">) inform search engines about the preferred version of a page when multiple versions exist. This helps consolidate link equity and avoid duplicate content penalties.

Why Pair "Noindex" with Canonical Tags?
In some cases, you may want to "noindex" a page to keep it out of search results but still pass its link equity to a preferred page via a canonical tag.

When to Use "Noindex" with Canonical Tags:

  • Consolidating Duplicate Content: Use a canonical tag to point duplicate pages to the main version while keeping duplicates "noindexed."
  • Seasonal or Temporary Pages: For example, if a Black Friday page is "noindexed" after the event, a canonical tag can point to an evergreen sales page.
  • Consolidating Content Variations: For pages with slight variations (e.g., print-friendly versions), a canonical tag can guide search engines to the primary version.

How to Implement "Noindex" with Canonical Tags:

Step 1: Add the "Noindex" Directive

Include the following meta tag in the header of the duplicate or secondary page:

html

<meta name="robots" content="noindex">

Step 2: Add the Canonical Tag

In the same header, specify the preferred page:

html

<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.example.com/preferred-page">

Step 3: Verify Implementation

Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to ensure the "noindex" directive and canonical tag are correctly configured and pointing to the intended page.

Step 4: Monitor Results

Check Google Search Console’s coverage report to ensure search engines understand the relationship between the pages. Monitor traffic and rankings for the preferred page to confirm that it’s benefiting from consolidated link equity.

Advanced Use Cases for Canonical Tags

  • Content Syndication: When publishing the same article on multiple platforms (e.g., Medium, LinkedIn), use a canonical tag to signal your site as the original source.
  • Cross-Domain Consolidation: For businesses with multiple domains, canonical tags can direct link equity to the main site.

Conclusion

Both link reclamation and canonical tags are powerful tools for managing link equity and improving your SEO strategy. By proactively recovering links from "noindex" pages and strategically pairing "noindex" directives with canonical tags, you can maximize the impact of your backlinks and ensure that your content hierarchy is optimized for search engines.

Would you like a step-by-step guide for implementing these tactics on your website or assistance with crafting outreach emails? Let me know!



Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


5. Actionable Tips

Template:

  1. Audit Your Backlinks: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to identify backlinks from "noindex" pages.
  2. Identify Noindex Links: Check referring pages for "noindex" directives using Screaming Frog or similar tools.
  3. Reach Out to Webmasters: Politely request the removal of the "noindex" tag or suggest redirecting to an indexed page.
  4. Use Canonical Tags: Direct link equity to a preferred page while keeping the duplicate or secondary page "noindex."
  5. Monitor Results: Track changes using Google Search Console to see the impact of these optimizations.
  6. Manually verify backlinks using Google’s site: search (site:example.com/page-url) to check if a linking page is indexed.

  7. How to Approach Webmasters to Remove "Noindex"

    Craft a polite email explaining the benefits of indexing their page or redirecting it to an active, indexed page. Highlight mutual advantages like increased traffic and visibility.

Template:

Subject: Request to Review "Noindex" Tag on [Page Title]

Dear [Webmaster/Editor Name],

I noticed that one of your pages, [Page URL], links to our content at [Your Page URL]. However, the page appears to have a "noindex" directive, which may limit its visibility. If it aligns with your goals, would you consider removing the "noindex" tag?

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Best regards,  
[Your Name]  

Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


6. Tools and Resources

  • Screaming Frog: Identify "noindex" pages and analyze backlink profiles.
  • SEMrush: Perform detailed backlink audits and competitor analysis.
  • Yoast SEO: Manage "noindex" directives on WordPress websites.
  • Ahrefs: Monitor and optimize your backlink strategy.
  • Google Search Console: Track indexing and monitor referral traffic.
Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


7. Frequently Asked Questions

Do backlinks from noindex pages pass link equity?

Not directly. They may influence the broader link graph but are primarily useful for referral traffic.

Can noindex pages harm SEO?

Improper use of "noindex" can disrupt link equity flow. Use them strategically for non-essential pages.

What’s the difference between "noindex" and "nofollow"?

  • "Noindex" excludes a page from search results.
  • "Nofollow" prevents link equity from passing through a specific link.

8. Conclusion

"Noindex" pages and backlinks play a nuanced role in SEO. While backlinks from indexed pages remain crucial for rankings, "noindex" backlinks can drive referral traffic, enhance brand visibility, and lead to natural backlink creation.

Do Backlinks to Noindex Pages Count?


Actionable Next Steps:

  1. Audit your backlink profile.
  2. Identify valuable "noindex" backlinks.
  3. Optimize your strategy with tools like SEMrush and Screaming Frog.

Ready to boost your SEO efforts? Start auditing your backlinks today and unlock your site’s full potential!

Shady Elbody

Posted by Shady Elbody

Post a Comment

0 Comments