SEO GLOSSARY

What are Internal Links?

Internal links are hyperlinks that connect pages within the same website or domain. They allow users to navigate between different sections and pages of your site.

Why Internal Links Matter

Internal links serve several important purposes:

• They make it easier for users to explore your site and find relevant content. Without internal links, users would have to use the navigation menu or return to the homepage to get around.
• They pass “link juice” and authority between pages on your site. Pages that receive more internal links tend to perform better in search engine results.
• They create a better user experience by connecting related content. Readers appreciate being able to easily dive deeper into a topic.
• They help search engines crawl and index your site more efficiently. Crawling is easier when pages are interconnected.

Best Practices for Internal Linking

Here are some tips to strengthen your internal linking strategy:

• Link naturally in the text where relevant, rather than cramming links in. Write for users first, not search engines.
• Link to high-quality, useful pages that provide value to users. Don’t just link for the sake of linking.
• Use descriptive anchor text so users know where they’re going before clicking. Avoid over-optimized anchor text.
• Link deeper into your site, not just to the homepage. Link to relevant category, tag, and article pages.
• Make sure all important pages are linked to at least once, so they aren’t orphaned. An internal link map can help identify orphaned pages.
• Vary your anchor text. Don’t repeat the same anchor text over and over.
• Place links in useful locations like the introduction, conclusion, headers, and body text. But don’t force links where they don’t belong.
• Review your internal links regularly and prune dead or low-value pages so you don’t link to them.

Where to Place Internal Links

Some of the best places within your content to include internal links are:

• The introduction – Link to background information or related content to help set the context.
• Section headers – Link headers to related category, tag or hub pages.
• The first paragraph – Link to reference or source material.
• Transition sentences – Link to other posts or products mentioned.
• The conclusion – Link to related content for further reading.
• Image captions – Link images to relevant pages.
• Lists and compare/contrast tables – Link to pages related to each item.
• Sidebars and call-out boxes – Link to related articles or products.

Focus on providing a smooth user experience from section to section by linking to pages that are highly relevant in the context. And don’t go overboard – too many links will diminish their impact.

Internal Linking Best Practices Recap

• Link to useful, relevant pages that provide value for users
• Use descriptive, natural anchor text
• Link deeper into your site, not just to the homepage
• Ensure all important pages are linked to at least once
• Vary your anchor text phrases
• Place links smoothly within content, not just crammed in
• Prune low-value and dead pages from your internal link network
• Review and update internal links regularly to keep them current

By mastering these internal linking best practices, you’ll create a user-friendly site architecture that also has SEO benefits.