Should you really be wary of the noreferrer attribute on your links?

What is the difference between noreferrer and nofollow?

The noreferrer attribute prevents the browser from transmitting referrer information to the destination site. Specifically, when a user clicks on a link with this attribute, the target site does not see where the visitor is coming from in its logs or Google Analytics.

The nofollow, on the other hand, is a signal intended for search engines. It tells Google not to follow this link for ranking — or at least to limit the weight given to this link in the algorithm. This is a nuance that many practitioners still confuse, especially since the evolution of nofollow into a "hint" rather than a strict directive.

Why is this distinction important for SEO?

Because a link with noreferrer alone continues to transmit SEO juice (PageRank, trust) in Google's eyes. The search engine can crawl the link, understand the context, and use this signal for ranking the target page.

In contrast, a link with nofollow (with or without noreferrer) sends a signal to Google not to (or to minimally) value this link in its algorithm. The difference is fundamental: one touches privacy and analytics, the other directly affects SEO.

In what situations is noreferrer used?

Historically, noreferrer was used for security and privacy reasons. It particularly prevented information leaks via the HTTP referrer, especially in contexts where a user leaves a secure site (HTTPS) for an unsecured site (HTTP).

Today, modern browsers often apply noreferrer automatically in certain situations (external links, target="_blank" without rel="noopener"). Developers also add it to prevent third-party sites from seeing where their traffic comes from — which can be helpful for masking certain marketing or SEO strategies.

• noreferrer blocks the transmission of referrer data to the target site, but not to search engines
• nofollow limits the transfer of SEO signals between pages for Google
• A link with noreferrer alone transmits PageRank, while a link with nofollow alone does not (or very little)
• Modern browsers sometimes apply noreferrer automatically for security reasons
• Confusing the two attributes can lead to significant tactical errors in link building

Is this statement consistent with what is observed in the field?

Yes, and it is a welcome clarification. Too many practitioners still associate noreferrer with a form of SEO blocking, while this attribute was never designed for that. In practice, links with noreferrer continue to generate positive ranking effects, as long as nofollow is not present.

However, there is a trap: if you use rel="noreferrer nofollow" simultaneously, it is the nofollow that takes precedence in terms of SEO. Google will not value the link for ranking, and the target site will also not see where the traffic comes from. Double loss.

What nuances should be applied to this position of Google?

The main nuance is that noreferrer impacts your ability to measure the effectiveness of your backlinks. If you have incoming links with this attribute, you will not see these sources in Google Analytics under "Referral". This complicates attribution and analysis of your link-building strategy.

Another point: Google claims that noreferrer is "independent" of nofollow, but in practice, many CMS and plugins add both attributes simultaneously by default (notably for comments, UGC, etc.). [To be verified]: the default configuration of your technical stack may therefore create hybrid links without you knowing.

In what cases might this rule not fully apply?

If you are on a site with an extremely restrictive linking policy (e.g., Wikipedia, certain forums), noreferrer is often coupled with nofollow and ugc. In these cases, the noreferrer alone is never isolated — and thus the SEO effect is null or marginal.

Moreover, some third-party tracking and analytics tools (outside of Google) may retrieve signals even with noreferrer, using fingerprinting techniques or URL parameters. Thus, the total opacity promised by noreferrer is not always guaranteed, especially against players who invest in advanced tracking.

What should you check on your outgoing and incoming links?

Start by auditing your outgoing links: if you habitually use noreferrer (or because your WordPress theme adds it automatically), ensure you are not unnecessarily blocking the transfer of PageRank to your partners or strategic internal pages. An internal link with noreferrer makes no SEO sense.

On the backlinks side, use a crawler like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to list incoming links and check if they carry a nofollow in addition to the noreferrer. If this is the case, and the link is of high editorial quality, contact the webmaster to request the removal of the nofollow — explaining that noreferrer is sufficient for privacy.

How to fix common configuration errors?

On WordPress, plugins like Rank Math or Yoast sometimes add noreferrer + nofollow by default on external links. Check the settings and disable this option if it does not align with your strategy. For custom themes, inspect the source code or PHP hooks that modify link attributes.

For sites on Shopify, Wix, or other SaaS platforms, access to the code is limited. Use a Google Tag Manager or a JavaScript script to modify link attributes on the fly if necessary — but be aware of the impacts on loading time and crawler compatibility.

Should you always avoid noreferrer?

No. If you manage a site in a sensitive sector (health, finance, personal data), noreferrer remains relevant for privacy. But remember that this attribute makes your tracking more opaque: you lose visibility on traffic sources in Analytics.

The real danger lies in the automatic and indiscriminate addition of noreferrer + nofollow to all your external links. This breaks your link-building strategy and limits mutual benefits with your editorial partners. Be selective: apply noreferrer only when privacy is a priority, and never by default.

These technical adjustments may seem minor, but they directly affect your ability to build an effective and measurable link architecture. If you find that your external linking or partnership strategy lacks clarity, it may be wise to engage a specialized SEO agency for a thorough audit and tailored support. The challenges of configuration and tracking are often more complex than they appear, and external expertise can help avoid costly mistakes.

• Audit all outgoing links for unnecessary noreferrer (especially on internal links)
• Check that your quality backlinks do not carry a nofollow in addition to the noreferrer
• Disable the automatic addition of noreferrer + nofollow in your SEO plugins (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)
• Test the impact on Google Analytics: if your traffic sources disappear, it's probably noreferrer
• Contact webmasters who added nofollow to your editorial backlinks to request removal
• Document your policy for outgoing links: when to use noreferrer, nofollow, or both