N
Redirects & Link Manager Free WordPress.org

Nofollow for external link

3.8 (36 reviews)
· 10K+ active installs · By CyberNetikz
Active Installs
10K+
Rating
3.8 / 5
Version
v1.2.4
Last Updated
Apr 2024
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Plugin Review

AI-Researched

What 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=nofollow to 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=nofollow should 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=nofollow or target=_blank were already added manually, preventing duplication.
  • Internal link exclusion: Ignores internal links and specific anchor patterns like href=#read-more or href=#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

What's Good
  • 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.
Drawbacks
  • 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

link nofollow rel-nofollow relnofollow seo

Frequently Asked Questions