What Is a UGC Link? Marking User-Generated Links
DICTIONARY · SEO

What Is a UGC Link?

A UGC link is a link submitted by a user rather than added editorially, marked with the ugc attribute.

In plain English

Comments, forum posts, reviews and profile fields are all user-generated. Anything a visitor can put a link into falls into this category.

The attribute tells search engines that you did not choose this link, which matters because you are responsible for what appears on your pages either way.

What to know

Where it applies
Comments, forums, reviews, profiles, any user-submitted field.
Why it exists
It separates your editorial judgement from your visitors' submissions.
Usually automatic
Most platforms apply it to comment links by default. Check that yours does.
Moderation still needed
The attribute is not a substitute for removing spam.

Why it matters

Sites with open comments accumulate outbound links nobody vetted. The attribute limits what those links imply about your judgement, and prevents a comment section from becoming a liability.

Common mistakes

×Open comments with followed links and no moderation.
×Assuming the platform handles it without checking.
×Using nofollow where ugc is more accurate.
×Treating the attribute as spam protection rather than a description.

FAQs

Do I need this if comments are closed?

No, but check user profiles and review fields, which are also user-generated.

Is ugc better than nofollow for comments?

It is more specific and therefore preferable. Both are acceptable.

WRITTEN BY TARIQ SALLAM
Marketing Consultant. Entrepreneur. Content Creator.

I'm a marketing consultant, entrepreneur and content creator. I help businesses grow through practical marketing, websites, SEO, content and AI.

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