Want to improve your SEO internal linking?
Internal linking is the “glue” that holds your website content together.
It helps users navigate from one blog article to the next and eventually to your Home page, Service pages, and Sign up page.
For Google, it helps them crawl your website easily so they can understand what pages relate to which, which pages are the most important, and what your website is all about.
This article is for anyone aiming to improve their SEO internal linking and take it to the next level.
My name is Connor Gillivan and I’ve been an SEO for 10+ years.
Internal linking is an often overlooked aspect of SEO, but it’s extremely important and I’ve firsthand seen its impact on SEO growth for rankings and traffic when implemented correctly.
Take the checklist below, save it, make an SOP out of it, share it with your team, and get into a habit of running an SEO internal linking audit and update every 3-6 months.
Hope you enjoy!
How to Optimize Your Internal Links for SEO
1. Use Descriptive Anchor Text
- Ensure anchor text is relevant and describes the target page.
- Avoid generic text like “click here” or “read more.”
2. Link to High-Value Pages
- Direct internal links to important pages (e.g., product pages).
- Prioritize linking to pages you want to rank higher in search engines.
3. Avoid Excessive Internal Links
- Keep the number of internal links per page reasonable (5-10 max).
- Ensure each link serves a clear purpose for the user.
4. Link Deep into Your Website
- Don’t just link to top-level pages; direct users to deeper, relevant content.
- Help search engines and users discover less-visited but valuable pages.
5. Ensure Links Are Contextually Relevant
- Place links where they naturally fit within the content.
- Internal links should provide additional value or context to the reader.
6. Fix Broken Links
- Regularly audit for broken internal links using tools like Screaming Frog.
- Redirect or update links to improve user experience and SEO.
7. Use a Logical Hierarchy
- Create a clear internal linking structure that reflects your website’s content hierarchy.
- Link from lower-traffic pages back to more authoritative or parent pages.
8. Include Links in New Content
- When publishing new content, add internal links to relevant older posts.
- Use this opportunity to refresh older content with links to new pages.
9. Balance Link Distribution
- Spread internal links evenly across your website, not just to a few pages.
- Ensure all important pages receive enough internal links to boost their authority.
10. Leverage Breadcrumbs
- Use breadcrumb navigation to enhance internal linking and user experience.
- Helps users and search engines understand the structure of your site.
11. Monitor Internal Link Performance
- Use Google Search Console to track internal link health and performance.
- Adjust linking strategy based on data (CTR, bounce rates, etc.).
Action Items
- Conduct a website audit using tools like Screaming Frog to identify broken internal links and fix or redirect them.
- Analyze the distribution of internal links to ensure even coverage of important pages across your site.
- Use Google Search Console to monitor internal link performance and adjust your linking strategy accordingly.
- Add relevant internal links whenever publishing new content and refresh older pages with links to newer resources.
- Ensure all anchor text is descriptive, relevant, and adds context for both users and search engines.
FAQs
Why are internal links important for SEO?
Internal links improve site navigation, help users discover related content, and distribute link equity across your website. They also assist search engines in crawling your site efficiently and understanding its structure. Optimized internal links can boost rankings for key pages by signaling their importance.
How do I ensure my internal links are contextually relevant?
Place links naturally within your content where they provide additional context or value to the reader. Ensure the anchor text describes the target page accurately. Linking to content that aligns with the topic helps improve user experience and SEO relevance.
How can I track the performance of internal links?
Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor click-through rates (CTR), bounce rates, and overall link health. Regular audits with tools like Screaming Frog can identify broken links or opportunities to improve. Adjust your strategy based on performance data to enhance user engagement and SEO results.
What is the ideal number of internal links per page?
Aim for 5-10 internal links per page to keep navigation clear and concise. Too many links can overwhelm users and dilute the value of each link. Focus on quality over quantity, ensuring each link serves a clear purpose.
How often should I audit my internal links?
Perform an internal link audit at least quarterly or whenever you make significant updates to your website. Regular audits help identify broken links, ensure balanced link distribution, and improve your site’s overall performance. Frequent checks also help you align internal linking with your evolving SEO strategy.
Thoughts and Outro
SEO internal links are the “glue” the bring your website and content together.
Without internal linking, users and Google would be confused about your website and how it all fits together.
They’d also reach “dead ends” where they couldn’t go any further into your website because the internal linking just isn’t there.
A comprehensive SEO strategy includes internal linking within the writing and publishing process, but then also on a 3-6 month basis where you go back, update links, add new links to new content, and continue to prioritize the most important pages on your website.
If you’re not already running this process, I highly recommend working it into your SEO routine.
You should see results in keyword rankings and traffic over time as you implement multiple internal linking audits and updates.
My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m on a mission to make SEO and digital marketing simpler for millions.
I hope this was helpful! If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to me or find me on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
Best,
Connor
Whenever you’re ready, here’s 3 ways I can help you:
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