Sponsored Link Attribute
01 Definition
Sponsored Link Attribute meaning: The rel=sponsored value that marks a link as paid or part of an advertisement.
The sponsored attribute, written rel=sponsored, tells search engines a link was created as part of advertising, sponsorship, or another paid arrangement. Google introduced it in 2019 alongside ugc. It helps sites label paid links clearly instead of relying only on nofollow.
Also called
Why it matters
How Sponsored Link Attribute fits the work
Labeling paid links correctly keeps you within search engine guidelines on advertising and avoids the appearance of buying ranking influence.
In context
Each affiliate product link in the review carried rel=sponsored so Google understood the placements were paid rather than editorial recommendations.
Practical note
Use rel=sponsored for any paid or affiliate link; you may combine values, but at minimum mark paid links so they do not read as editorial endorsements.