What Is Internal Linking?
Internal linking refers to adding hyperlinks that connect one page of your website to another page on the same domain. These links help users navigate your site while guiding search engines to understand your website’s structure and hierarchy.
Unlike external links, which direct users to other websites, internal links serve to:
- Improve website usability.
- Spread “link equity” across your pages.
- Help search engines crawl and index your site more effectively.
Example: A blog post titled “How to Improve SEO Rankings” can link to another post on “Keyword Research Best Practices” to guide readers and enhance the relevance of the content.
Pro Tip: Use internal links strategically to create a better user experience and improve your website’s search engine visibility.
5 Reasons Internal Linking Is Good for SEO
1. Adds Value for Visitors
Internal links guide users to related content, helping them find additional information they may find valuable. This keeps users engaged longer and improves their overall experience.
Example: If your blog discusses “Healthy Meal Prep,” linking to a related post on “Best Kitchen Tools for Meal Prep” adds more value for the reader.
2. Improves Google Crawling and Indexing
Search engines like Google use internal links to crawl your website and discover new pages. Internal linking ensures that all important pages on your site are indexed, increasing their chances of appearing in search results.
Pro Tip: Create a logical linking structure so even newly published pages can be crawled and indexed quickly.
3. Reduces Orphaned Content
Orphaned content refers to pages with no internalinternal links. Without internal links, it is harder for both user’s search engines to find. Internal linking helps ensure all your contacts are interconnected and accessible.
4. Optimized Anchor Text Boosts Relevance
Anchor text—the clickable text in a hyperlink—helps search engines understand what the linked page is about. Using descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text improves the relevance of the linked page.
Pro Tip: Instead of generic anchor text like “click here,” use phrases like “learn how to optimize your website.”
5. Spreads Link Equity
Internal links allow you to distribute “link juice” (authority) from high-performing pages to other pages, helping boost their rankings. For example, linking from your homepage (usually your most authoritative page) to a new blog post can help the post gain visibility faster.
Where to Use Internal Links
Internal links can be placed strategically in various parts of your website for different purposes.
1. Body Content Links (Editorial Links)
These are links embedded within your blog posts or articles, providing contextual connections to related content.
Example: “For more insights, check out our guide on [How to Build Backlinks].”
2. Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs provide navigational links that show the user’s path on your website (e.g., Home > Blog > SEO Tips). They also offer search engines valuable context about your site’s hierarchy.
3. Sidebar Links
Links in your sidebar often direct users to popular posts, related content, or important categories.
Example: A “Top Resources” widget linking to evergreen content.
4. Main Navigation Links
These links in your website’s primary menu guide users to key sections such as your homepage, services, blog, or contact page.
5. Footer Links
Footer links typically include contact information, privacy policies, FAQs, or links to other important but less frequently accessed pages.
Why Internal Links Are Important for SEO
- Enhanced User Experience: Internal links help users find related information, improving site navigation and engagement.
- Better Crawlability: They ensure search engine bots can easily find, crawl, and index your pages.
- Improved Rankings: Linking to important pages helps search engines identify which pages are most valuable and should rank higher.
Pro Tip: Use an internal linking strategy that reflects your website’s hierarchy. Links should flow naturally between main pages, categories, and individual posts.
Internal Linking Best Practices
1. Add 2–5 Internal Links Per Post
Every blog post should include 2–5 relevant internal links. Focus on providing additional value to users by linking to content that complements the current topic.
2. Update Older Content with Internal Links
When you publish new content, revisit older posts and link them to your new page where relevant. This improves the visibility of your new content while maintaining the relevance of your older pages.
3. Prioritize Linking to High-Value Pages
Link to pages you want to drive more traffic to, such as product pages, high-converting landing pages, or cornerstone blog posts.
4. Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Anchor text should accurately describe the linked page. Avoid vague terms like “read more” or “click here.” Instead, use phrases that reflect the topic of the destination page.
Example: Use “learn about SEO tools” rather than “click here.”
5. Keep Crawl Depth Shallow
Ensure your most important pages are within 2–3 clicks of the homepage. This will make accessing key content easier for search engines and users.
Internal Linking Practices to Avoid
1. Overloading Pages with Links
Adding too many links to a single page can overwhelm users and dilute link equity. Focus on quality, not quantity.
2. Using Duplicate Anchor Text for Different Pages
Avoid linking to multiple pages using the same anchor text. This can confuse search engines and diminish the clarity of your site’s structure.
3. Keyword-Stuffed Anchor Text
Don’t stuff keywords unnaturally into anchor text. Search engines may penalize over-optimized links.
4. Linking to Irrelevant Pages
Every link should provide value to the user. Linking to unrelated content frustrates visitors and doesn’t help your SEO.
Tools to Simplify Internal Linking
- Google Search Console
The “Links” section in Google Search Console shows how many internal links each page has, helping you identify orphaned content. - Yoast SEO Premium
This WordPress plugin suggests internal links as you write, making it easy to interconnect your content. - Ahrefs
Ahrefs’ Site Audit tool highlights pages with few internal links and provides optimization recommendations. - SEMRush
SEMRush includes an Internal Linking report that identifies gaps and opportunities to improve your site’s link structure.
Internal Links vs External Links vs Backlinks
| Type of Link | Definition | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Links | Links between pages on the same website. | Improves navigation and SEO. |
| External Links | Links pointing to another website. | Provides additional value or sources. |
| Backlinks | Links from other websites pointing to your site. | Boosts authority and rankings. |
Pro Tip: A balanced strategy incorporates internal, external, and backlinks for optimal SEO performance.
Summary
Internal, simple yet powerful way to boost your website’s SEO and user engagement. Connecting related content improves navigation, spreads link equity, andhelpsp search engines understand your site’s structure.
Key Takeaways:
- Link strategically using relevant anchor text.
- Update older posts with links to new content.
- Use tools like Yoast SEO or Ahrefs to streamline your internal linking strategy.
At All In Digital, we specialize in creating tailored SEO strategies that include effective internal linking. Contact us today to optimize your site’s structure and drive better results!
