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Free rel attribute generator: sponsored, ugc and nofollow

Choose the right rel value for any link and copy HTML that follows Google's guidelines.

By Zahid Awais · Link building tools · Free, private, no sign-up

Result
    rel Attribute Generator: what it does and an example result

    The free rel sponsored ugc nofollow runs in your browser, needs no sign-up and never sends what you type anywhere.

    Quick answer

    Use rel="sponsored" for paid, affiliate or gifted links, rel="ugc" for comments and forum posts, and rel="nofollow" when you do not want to vouch for a link and nothing else fits. Editorial links you chose freely need no rel value. Values can be combined, such as rel="ugc sponsored".

    What is a rel attribute generator?

    A rel attribute generator is a tool that writes an HTML link with the correct rel value for its situation. The logic follows Google's guidance: money or gifts involved means sponsored, user written content means ugc, no endorsement means nofollow, and a freely chosen editorial link stays plain.

    How do you use the rel Attribute Generator?

    How to use the rel Attribute Generator: enter details, see the result and copy it
    Real screenshot of the rel Attribute Generator with the steps marked.
    1. Paste the link URL and the anchor text.
    2. Choose what kind of link it is: editorial, paid, affiliate, gifted, user generated or untrusted.
    3. Tick extra options if needed: nofollow for older systems, a new tab with noopener, or noreferrer.
    4. Read the explanation to confirm the value fits your case.
    5. Copy the HTML and paste it into your page or CMS editor in HTML mode.

    When should I use rel sponsored instead of nofollow?

    Use rel="sponsored" whenever a link is paid for, an advert, an affiliate link or given in exchange for a gift. Google's guide to qualifying outbound links says sponsored is preferred for paid links, while nofollow is still an acceptable way to flag them. Use plain nofollow for other links you do not want to endorse.

    Do guest post links need rel sponsored?

    Yes, if you paid for the placement or the post was published in exchange for anything of value, the links should carry rel="sponsored" or nofollow. Google's link spam policy names paid links that pass ranking credit as a violation. A genuinely editorial guest article where nobody paid can use normal links.

    Can I combine rel values?

    Yes, you can list several values separated by spaces, such as rel="ugc sponsored" or rel="sponsored nofollow". Google accepts space or comma separated values. noopener and noreferrer can sit in the same attribute because they control browser behaviour, not SEO.

    Quick reference

    Situationrel valueWhy
    Paid guest post, sponsored article or advertsponsoredPaid placement
    Affiliate linksponsoredYou earn a commission
    Link given for a free productsponsoredCompensated with a gift
    Blog comment or forum postugcWritten by users, not you
    Link you cite but do not trustnofollowNo endorsement intended
    Editorial link you chose freelynoneA normal recommendation

    Worked example

    Example

    Example: you publish a paid guest post that links to a running shoe guide and want it to open in a new tab. Choose "Paid or sponsored" and tick new tab; the tool outputs best running shoes for beginners. Add a visible "Sponsored" label near the article as well.

    Learn more

    Frequently asked questions

    What does rel ugc mean?

    rel="ugc" stands for user generated content. Google recommends it for links inside comments, forum posts and similar content written by users. You can remove it for trusted members who have consistently contributed high quality content.

    Is nofollow still a ranking hint?

    Yes. Since 2019 Google has treated nofollow, sponsored and ugc as hints rather than strict directives. Links with these values are generally not followed, but linked pages may still be crawled if Google finds them through other links or sitemaps.

    Do sponsored links hurt my site?

    No, correctly marked sponsored links do not hurt your site. The risk comes from paid links that are not marked. Using rel="sponsored" tells Google the relationship honestly, which is exactly what its spam policies ask for.

    Should I nofollow internal links?

    No. Internal links help Google discover and understand your pages, so leave them followed. To keep a section from being crawled use robots.txt, and to keep a page out of search results use a noindex tag.

    What is the difference between noopener and nofollow?

    noopener is a browser security setting for links that open in a new tab, so the new page cannot control yours. nofollow is a hint to search engines about endorsement. They solve different problems and can be used together.

    How do I add rel sponsored in WordPress?

    In the block editor, select the link and use the link settings toggle to mark it sponsored or nofollow if your version or SEO plugin offers it. Otherwise switch the block to Edit as HTML and paste the code from this tool.

    Sources

    Facts checked against these official pages. Read how I check facts in my editorial policy.

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