Link Building
Sponsored link
A sponsored link is an outbound hyperlink created through advertising, sponsorship or another compensation agreement and identified for Google with the `sponsored` relationship value.
What it means
The commercial relationship exists because of the agreement, not because the token was added. Google prefers `rel="sponsored"` for paid placements, accepts `Nofollow` for this purpose and treats these relationship values as hints; multiple space-separated values can describe overlapping circumstances.
Why it matters
Correct qualification makes the compensated relationship explicit and separates legitimate advertising from an unqualified placement intended to pass ranking credit.
Example
A paid product review links “product details” to the advertiser and assigns the anchor the `sponsored` relationship value; if comments can also supply that link, `ugc sponsored` can record both relationships.
Common mistakes
Do not sell followed links for ranking credit, add `sponsored` to unrelated editorial citations, assume the token hides advertising from readers, replace destination disclosure rules with SEO markup or promise that qualification controls Crawling absolutely.
How AYSA handles this
Signals reviewed
source page, destination, compensation record, existing rel values, visible disclosure, content owner
Problem AYSA can identify
AYSA can detect a documented compensated placement with missing or inconsistent relationship qualification on a supported owned page.
Recommendation prepared
The proposal adds the narrow relationship token while preserving valid existing values, link text, destination and visible disclosure.
Approval preview
The user sees the current anchor markup, compensation evidence, proposed token set, page context and unchanged destination.
Execution
AYSA can apply an approved `rel` correction on supported WordPress content; it cannot alter publisher pages outside the user's control.
Verification
Rendered HTML is checked for one intended anchor, the approved token set, unchanged destination and absence of accidental sitewide rewrites.
Limits
A relationship token is a search hint, not a guarantee of treatment and not proof that every legal or advertising obligation is satisfied.
Sources and further reading
- Google Search Central — Qualify outbound links — Official search documentation
- Google Search Central — Evolving nofollow and new link attributes — Official search documentation
- Google Search Central — Spam policies for Google web search — Official search policy
Written by Marius Dosinescu. Reviewed by AYSA SEO Editorial Team · 2026-07-28 00:00:00.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is nofollow still acceptable for a paid link?
Google says it is acceptable, although `sponsored` is the preferred relationship value for advertisements and paid placements.
Does rel=sponsored replace a visible advertising disclosure?
No. Search markup describes the link relationship; applicable consumer-facing disclosure is a separate responsibility.
SEO execution campaign
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