Nofollow for external link
Plugin Review
AI-ResearchedWhat is Nofollow for external link?
Nofollow for external link is a focused WordPress plugin that automates a common SEO task. It automatically inserts rel=nofollow and target=_blank attributes into every external link on your posts, pages, and menus. Developed by CyberNetikz, this plugin has been available for 14 years, making it one of the older solutions in its category. Despite its longevity, it maintains a modest user base with 10K+ active installs.
The plugin holds a 3.8/5 rating from 36 reviews. This score reflects a polarized user experience: 61% of ratings are 1% are one-star. The current version is 1.2.4, and it was last updated on Apr 28, 2024. For users seeking a straightforward method to handle nofollow external links, this plugin offers a simple, no-frills approach.
Key Features of Nofollow for external link
- Automatic rel nofollow insertion: Adds
rel=nofollowto all external links across posts, pages, and menus without manual effort. - Target=_blank automation: Automatically sets external links to open in a new tab, improving user experience for outbound clicks.
- Exclude domain functionality: Lets you specify domains where
rel=nofollowshould not be added, giving you control over trusted external links. - Custom post type support: Works with custom post types, ensuring coverage beyond standard posts and pages.
- WordPress multisite compatibility: Functions across network sites, making it suitable for multisite installations.
- Manual override protection: Skips links where
rel=nofollowortarget=_blankwere already added manually, preventing duplication. - Internal link exclusion: Ignores internal links and specific anchor patterns like
href=#read-moreorhref=#gotop.
Who Should Use Nofollow for external link?
This plugin suits beginners and intermediate users who want a quick, automated method for rel nofollow wordpress implementation. It is ideal for bloggers, small business owners, and site managers who lack time to manually add attributes to every external link. With 10K+ active installs, it serves a niche audience that values simplicity over advanced configuration.
If your priority is learning how to add nofollow to external links in wordpress without coding, this plugin provides a direct answer. However, users seeking granular per-link control or frequent updates may find the 14-year age and sparse support concerning. The 25% one-star rating suggests some users encountered issues, likely related to the plugin’s dated approach or lack of recent development.
Installation & Setup
Installation follows the standard WordPress plugin process: download the zip, extract the nofollow-external-link directory, upload it to /wp-content/plugins/, and activate it from the admin panel. The setup is beginner-friendly, with no configuration required for basic operation. For domain exclusion, navigate to Settings > NoFollow ExtLinks in your WordPress admin panel, as described in the plugin’s FAQ.
Support & Community
The support record raises concerns for potential users. Over the past 2 months, the plugin has seen 0 open threads and 0 resolved threads, resulting in a 0% resolution rate. This means no support requests were filed or answered during that period, which may indicate the developer is not actively monitoring the forum. Combined with the last update on Apr 28, 2024 and a 14-year plugin age, this suggests limited ongoing maintenance.
The rating distribution tells a mixed story. 61% of the 36 ratings are five-star, indicating many users find the plugin works reliably for its core task. Yet the 25% one-star share is significant for a plugin with this many reviews. If you need a plugin to automatically add nofollow to external links wordpress and can accept minimal support, Nofollow for external link may suffice. For those prioritizing active development and responsive help, exploring other options might be wise.
Pros & Cons
- Automatically adds rel=nofollow and target=_blank to all external links in posts, pages, and menus, saving manual effort for sites with many outbound links.
- Allows exclusion of specific domains from nofollow, giving flexibility to keep dofollow on trusted external sites like partners or references.
- Respects manually added rel or target attributes, avoiding double-processing on links you’ve already customized.
- Works with custom post types and WordPress multisite, making it suitable for complex or network installations.
- Has over 10,000 active installs and a 61% 5-star rating from 36 reviews, indicating a functional solution for a niche need.
- Zero resolved support threads out of zero total suggest the plugin may be abandoned or lacks active developer support for troubleshooting.
- A 25% 1-star rating from 36 reviews indicates notable user dissatisfaction, likely due to bugs or unexpected behavior.
- No built-in option to apply nofollow selectively per link or post type beyond domain exclusions, reducing granular control.
- Only affects content in posts, pages, and menus, leaving external links in widgets, comments, or custom code untouched.
Technical Details
- Requires WordPress
- 2.8.6+
- Tested up to WP
- 6.5.8
- First Released
- 2012 (14+ years)
- Support (last 2 months)
- 0 threads
Feature Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Nofollow for external link is completely free and available on WordPress.org. It has 10K+ active installs and is rated 3.8/5 based on 36 ratings.
The plugin has 10K+ active installs according to WordPress.org. It was first released in 2012 and is currently at version 1.2.4.
Nofollow for external link requires WordPress 2.8.6 or higher. It has been tested up to WordPress 6.5.8, ensuring compatibility with recent versions.
The plugin was last updated on Apr 28, 2024 and is currently at version 1.2.4. While updates may not be frequent, it remains compatible with the latest WordPress release.
The plugin facts do not specify a required PHP version. However, since it requires WordPress 2.8.6+, most modern PHP versions (5.6 and above) should work without issues.
Support is available through the plugin's homepage or by leaving a comment on the WordPress.org page. In the last 2 months, there have been 0 support threads total, suggesting most users find the plugin straightforward to use.
Yes, it is very beginner-friendly — you can activate it and it automatically adds rel=nofollow and target=_blank to all external links. You can also easily exclude domains via Settings > NoFollow ExtLinks in your WordPress admin panel.
It automatically adds rel=nofollow and target=_blank to external links in posts, pages, menus, and custom post types. You can exclude specific domains from nofollow, and it respects manually added rel or target attributes without overriding them.