When building your online store with WooCommerce, you might notice that the “Add to Cart” button has a line of code attached to it: rel="nofollow". This code tells search engines not to follow the link to the product page when crawling your website. While this approach has its reasons, it can sometimes impact your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts. This guide explores the concept of remove rel=”nofollow”, its implications for your WooCommerce store, and two methods for removing it from the “Add to Cart” button:

• Using a Plugin (For Beginners): This user-friendly approach leverages a readily available plugin for streamlined removal.
• Editing Theme Code (For Users Comfortable with Code): This method offers more control but requires some understanding of PHP (programming language used in WordPress).

By understanding the impact of rel="nofollow" and following the steps outlined for each method, you can choose the approach that best suits your comfort level and desired level of control.

Understanding “rel=nofollow” and its Role in WooCommerce

The rel="nofollow" attribute is a piece of code used within HTML links to instruct search engine crawlers not to follow that specific link. This can be beneficial in certain situations, like preventing spam comments on your blog or directing users to external websites you don’t endorse for SEO purposes.

However, in the case of the “Add to Cart” button in WooCommerce, the rel="nofollow" attribute can unintentionally prevent search engines from fully indexing your product pages. This can potentially lead to lower visibility for your products in search engine results pages (SERPs) and impact your store’s overall SEO performance.

Here’s why removing rel="nofollow" from the “Add to Cart” button might be beneficial:

• Improved Product Page Indexing: By removing rel="nofollow", search engines can more effectively crawl and index your product pages, potentially leading to higher rankings for relevant search terms.
• Enhanced User Experience: Search engines might also consider internal links (like those within your own website) when evaluating the overall structure and relevance of your website. Removing rel="nofollow" from the “Add to Cart” button creates a more natural link flow for users browsing your store, potentially improving the overall user experience.

Important Considerations Before Remove “rel=nofollow”

While removing rel="nofollow" from the “Add to Cart” button can offer SEO advantages, it’s important to consider a few factors:

• External Links: If your “Add to Cart” button sometimes links to external product pages (e.g., from a dropshipping supplier), you might want to maintain rel="nofollow" for those specific instances to avoid passing SEO value to external websites. Plugins often offer options to exclude external links from the removal process.
• Theme Compatibility: Before modifying theme code, ensure your chosen theme is compatible with the changes you’re making. Theme updates can sometimes overwrite code edits. Consider using a child theme for code customizations.

Remove “rel=nofollow” from the Add to Cart Button Using a Plugin (For Beginners)

The easiest way to remove rel="nofollow" from the “Add to Cart” button is by using a plugin. Here’s a general process:

1. Install and Activate a Plugin: Several free and premium plugins can help you remove rel="nofollow" from the “Add to Cart” button in WooCommerce. Popular options include “Yoast SEO” or “Remove Nofollow from WooCommerce Products.”
2. Configure the Plugin (Optional): Some plugins might offer configuration options, such as excluding external links from the removal process. Follow the plugin’s specific instructions for configuration.
3. Verify the Changes: Once activated and configured (if necessary), use your browser’s developer tools to inspect the “Add to Cart” button and confirm the rel="nofollow" attribute has been removed.

Removing “rel=nofollow” from the Add to Cart Button by Editing Theme Code (For Users Comfortable with Code)

For more control or if you’re not comfortable with plugins, consider editing your theme code. Here’s a basic overview:

1. Backup Your Theme: Before modifying any code, create a duplicate of your current theme. This allows you to revert to the previous version if any edits cause unintended consequences. You can duplicate your theme within the WordPress admin panel under “Appearance” > “Themes.”

2. Identify the Theme File: WooCommerce “Add to Cart” button functionality is typically controlled by a template file named “single-product.php” or “product.php” within your theme’s folder. You can locate this file using an FTP client or the WordPress file manager plugin.

3. Locate the Code:

Within the theme file (“single-product.php” or “product.php”), search for the code responsible for generating the “Add to Cart” button. Look for keywords like “add_to_cart_button” or “woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart_button.” You’ll likely find a function call or a snippet of HTML code that defines the button’s appearance and functionality.

4. Identify the “rel” Attribute:

Within the code section responsible for the “Add to Cart” button, locate the part that defines the button’s link. This will likely involve an HTML anchor tag (<a>) with various attributes, including the href attribute (specifying the link destination) and potentially a rel attribute.

5. Remove or Modify the “rel” Attribute:

There are two approaches to removing the rel="nofollow" attribute:

• Remove the Entire Attribute: If the rel attribute only contains “nofollow,” you can simply delete the entire rel="nofollow" part from the code.
• Modify the Attribute Value (Optional): If the rel attribute contains other values besides “nofollow” (e.g., rel="nofollow sponsored"), you might want to modify it to keep those other functionalities while removing “nofollow.” For example, change rel="nofollow sponsored" to rel="sponsored".

Here’s an example:

Original Code:

HTML

<a rel="nofollow" href="<?php echo esc_url( get_permalink( $product->id ) ); ?>" class="button product_type_simple add_to_cart_button ajax_add_to_cart">Add to cart</a>

Use code with caution.content_copy

Modified Code (Removing “nofollow”):

HTML

<a href="<?php echo esc_url( get_permalink( $product->id ) ); ?>" class="button product_type_simple add_to_cart_button ajax_add_to_cart">Add to cart</a>

Use code with caution.content_copy

6. Save the Theme File:

Once you’ve removed or modified the rel attribute, save the changes made to the theme file.

7. Verify the Changes:

Clear your browser cache and visit a product page in your WooCommerce store. Inspect the “Add to Cart” button using your browser’s developer tools to confirm that the rel="nofollow" attribute has been removed.

Additional Considerations for Editing Theme Code

Here are some additional factors to keep in mind when editing your theme code:

• Child Theme: Consider using a child theme for code customizations. This ensures your edits are not overwritten during theme updates. You can create a child theme using plugins or by manually creating the necessary files.
• Code Snippets: If you’re unsure about modifying core theme files, search online for code snippets specifically designed to remove rel="nofollow" from the “Add to Cart” button in WooCommerce. These snippets can often be added to your theme’s functions.php file.
• Theme Compatibility: Ensure your theme is compatible with the code modifications you’re making. Theme updates can sometimes overwrite code edits.
• Testing: Always thoroughly test your WooCommerce store after making code changes to ensure everything functions correctly.

Conclusion: Optimizing Your “Add to Cart” Button for SEO

By understanding the impact of rel="nofollow" and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively remove it from your WooCommerce “Add to Cart” button using either a plugin or by editing your theme code. Remember to choose the method that best suits your comfort level and desired level of control.

As you remove `rel=”nofollow,” consider the additional tips provided to ensure compatibility and proper functionality. Explore plugin options and consider professional help if needed for code modifications.