As experienced WordPress users know, adding a rel="nofollow" attribute to external links helps control link equity and improves SEO. While it's straightforward for regular content, navigation menus require a few extra steps. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process with clear, proven instructions trusted by thousands of site owners.
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Begin by adding the external link to your navigation menu like any custom link.
Go to Appearance » Menus, click the Link tab, enter the URL and link text, then hit Add to Menu.
Your new link will appear in the Menu Structure section. Click the arrow to expand it.
In the top-right corner, click Screen Options and enable Link Relationship (XFN) and Link Target.
Scroll back to your expanded menu item. Now you'll see Link Relationship and Link Target fields. Enter nofollow in the Link Relationship box. Optionally, check Open link in a new window/tab.
Click Save Menu to apply changes.
Preview your site to confirm. To verify, right-click the link, select Inspect Element, and check the HTML—you'll see rel="nofollow" added.
This method works reliably across WordPress versions and themes. For more, check our tutorial on adding image icons to WordPress navigation menus.
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