We'll create fresh WordPress site with Hide Link installed. You have 20 minutes to test the plugin after that site we'll be deleted.
After successful activation every time you add #hide-this-link to a link, the plugin will replace it with an hidden link.
For example, for an URL as https://sample-link.com you should write https://sample-link.com#hide-this-link. Then you will still be able to click on the link, but robots will not see it because Hide Link will replace the link tag with a span and make it clickable with a line of JavaScript.
The free version of Hide Link works only with the content. It will not work with the custom links of the main navigation.
With Hide Link PRO you can hide links also in the main navigation.
If you need something similar to hide the emails, you can try Email No Bot