Internal linking plays a very important role in how websites are structured and navigated.
By creating a network of connections between pages on a site, internal links essentially help guide visitors to relevant content whilst also allowing search engines to understand the relationship between different pages.
If you’re operating online, understanding internal linking can help you enhance the overall user experience you’re providing to your audience, improve content visibility, and contribute to better performance in search engine rankings.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about internal linking, why it’s essential and how to start perfecting your internal linking strategy on your website.
Why Is an Internal Link Strategy Important For SEO?
Creating an internal link strategy alongside your broader content marketing and SEO strategies is essential. Here are some reasons why:
- Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Think about the kind of information they want. If you don’t have it, make sure you create content they’ll love.
- Look at all your website pages and consider the link structure. Do you have any hidden pages? Give your website a thorough audit, and view the site architecture and category pages so you don’t miss any hidden opportunities. Remove any time-sensitive and outdated content from your website, such as news.
- Think about how hidden or paused pages could link to current content. Draw out a diagram or chart if it helps you to add internal links between your content.
- Consider your keywords and also long-tail keywords in your content. It’s worth checking all your current website text and adding keywords to help with link building. Your anchor text in your link should be easy to understand and flow like a standard sentence.
- Your internal links pointing to other pages should be surrounded by meaningful information. Google will understand your link, adding a higher value if your words have a purpose.
- As a recap – make sure all your links are relevant!
- Think about how many links you want to include on each web page. There’s no hard and fast rule on this, but Google suggests using a maximum of 100-page links per page.
What Are Internal Links?
Internal links are clickable links from one page on your website to another.
When search engines like Google crawl your website, they follow links and read each page they encounter. This information is then indexed, allowing your web page to appear in the search results.
Internal links are also crucial for your customers. They use links to navigate from page to page while browsing through your website.
Naked Links
Internal links are links to other pages on this website. Here is an example of an internal link that points to our “technical seo page”
Links do not have to look as above, when you see a long link like that we call them naked links. These types of links are not very user-friendly for internal navigation, but they do have a place on the web.
Anchor text Link
We can also attach text to a link, so when a user clicks on some text, it links to a webpage. This is called an anchor text link; here is an example of an anchor text link going to the same technical seo page:
As you can see, it is a lot more user-friendly. Search engines and people like to see anchor text as it gives some indication of the content on the page if we click the link. I know if I click this link, the page will be about technical SEO; if a user does not wish to learn about this subject, they won’t click the link. You will also find link are usually highlighted in a different colour or have an underline to indicate it is clickable.
Image links
Images can also serve as links. When users click on the image, they are redirected to a specified URL. The alt text of the image acts similarly to anchor text for search engines.
Here is an example of a picture link pointing to the same technical seo page:
Internal Vs External Links – What’s The Difference?
An external link is a hyperlink that directs users to a different website. For example, here’s an external link that points to the BBC:
External links not only direct users to other websites but also act as a vote of confidence, signalling to search engines that the linked content is trustworthy or valuable.
External links serve various purposes in different contexts. For instance, if you’re reading a blog post about the best TVs, the post may include external links to retailers where you can purchase them. Similarly, external links can guide you to additional resources or more detailed information on a topic.
Why Are Internal Links Important?
Internal links play a crucial role in improving your website’s search engine rankings. Search engines, like Google, identify content that is not only high-quality but also well-structured and popular.
A strong internal linking strategy helps search engines find new pages you publish by creating a clear and logical structure for search engines to follow.
When you link one page of your site to relevant content on another page, you signal to Google that those pages hold valuable information. This helps boost your website’s position in search results, as search engines see the link structure as an indicator of content importance.
Google’s web crawlers, often referred to as “digital tentacles,” explore your site to discover new pages and content. Once a page is found by these crawlers, it gets indexed, increasing the likelihood that it will appear in search results for users.
Additionally, maintaining functional links and fixing any broken ones is essential for good SEO practices.
So, to recap:
- Improves Navigation: Internal links enable users to move easily from one page to another, enhancing their experience on your site.
- Helps Search Engines Understand Website Structure: These links assist search engines in grasping the layout and hierarchy of your website, aiding in better indexing and ranking.
- Distributes Link Equity: Internal links pass authority or “link equity” from one page to another, boosting the SEO value of the pages they connect.
- Provides Context Through Anchor Text: The anchor text of internal links offers context to both users and search engines, making it clear what the linked page is about and improving search engine relevance.
What Is Link Value?
Link value, also known as link juice or link equity, is the value that passes from one webpage to another page on your website. Link value is a factor used by search engines that calculates your page authority. Your website will likely rank higher on search engine result pages if your particular page has a high authority.
Your homepage usually has the highest page authority. Every page the home page links to benefits from link equity passed from the home page.
If you want a web page with a high link value, make sure they are relevant and valuable. For example, if you’ve written subject-specific blog posts, make sure the links you use to point the reader to similar content on your website. It’s also important to place internal links in the body of your main web page, not obscured in the footer or other sections, to pass more equity.
Take a look at our work.
Tips for Improving Your Internal Linking Strategy
Having a strong Internal linking strategy might sound a bit technical at first, but it’s really just a way of guiding your visitors and search engines through your site. You’re in control of the whole process, and it’s not as complicated as it might seem.
Here are some tips to help you get started on improving your internal linking strategy:
Plan Your Site Structure First
Before you even start thinking about links, make sure your site has a clear and logical structure.
Start with the most important pages, like your homepage, key services, or popular blog posts. These should be easily accessible from most other pages. Then, think about how other content flows naturally from one page to the next.
Link to Relevant Content
When you’re adding internal links, the key is relevance.
Don’t just throw a link to any random page. Make sure the pages you’re linking to are actually related. You’re helping your visitors by providing them with more useful information, and search engines will notice that the link adds value.
Always Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable part of a link, and it’s more important than you might think.
Instead of using generic phrases like “click here” or “read more,” use anchor text that tells the reader what the linked page is about. For example, if you’re linking to a post about SEO tips, you might want the anchor text to say “SEO tips for beginners.” This makes the link more helpful and can significantly improve your SEO.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
Yes, internal linking is good, but like most things in life – too much of it can actually have a bad.
If you’re stuffing your pages with links everywhere, it can overwhelm your visitors and confuse search engines. A good rule of thumb is to only add links where they make sense.
Aim for a few solid, relevant links per page rather than cramming in as many as possible.
Update Older Content with New Links
A lot of people forget about their old blog posts or pages, but they can be great opportunities for internal links.
As you add new content, revisit your older posts and look for opportunities to link to the new stuff. For example, if you wrote a post a year ago and you just published one recently that compliments the other, go back and add a link to the new post in the old one. This keeps your content fresh and shows search engines that your site is actively maintained.
Always Focus on User Experience
At the end of the day, the point of internal linking is to make it easier for people to navigate your site.
If you think a link will help someone find more useful information or stay on your site longer, add it. But if it feels forced or irrelevant, skip it. User experience should always come first because search engines like Google are designed to reward websites that are helpful to real people.
SEO Help With Maxweb
Do you want more customers or visitors to your website? Do you wish for more sales and leads? Our team of SEO consultants can power your business to rank high in search results. If you’re looking to get on page one of Google or Bing, leave it to us to produce a comprehensive SEO and digital marketing plan for you. Some of our core marketing services include:
- Link building, where we create and follow a tailored internal linking strategy.
- PPC (Pay Per Click) campaigns. We can create eye-catching digital adverts, enticing customers to visit your website.
- Improving the SEO of your website through keyword optimisation to boost your search ranking and help customers find your business online.
- Tailored E-Commerce SEO Services. If you sell a high volume of products, we can help with targeted SEO practices to make sure your business stands out and cut through the competition.
- SEO audits of your website, competitor research and high-ranking keyword recommendation to make your business visible online.
Contact us to find out how Maxweb can manage your SEO journey. Check out our work to discover how we’ve helped businesses increase their online presence.
Posted on Friday, September 13th, 2024 in SEO.
