Backlinks, keywords, and content quality are the things that frequently brought up, when people talk about SEO.
But what if I told you that internal links, something fully within your control could be a game-changer for your rankings?
So, do internal links help SEO? Absolutely. John Mueller of Google has repeatedly emphasized their significance, referring to them as “one of the most important things you can do on a website.”
However, how exactly do they impact rankings? And are they being utilized to the best of their abilities? Let’s explore more in detail.
What are Internal Links?
Consider yourself exploring a massive library with thousands of books. It would be quite difficult to find the correct information without a catalog or a means of connecting related topics.
Internal links serve as your website’s catalog, making it easier for people and search engines to navigate.
Put it simply, hyperlinks that connect one page of your website to another page on the same domain are internal links. They aid in structuring your website. This makes it simpler for search engines to comprehend the connections between your pages and for users to locate relevant content.
Types of Internal Links:
- Navigational Links → Found in menus, footers, and sidebars to help users find key pages.
- Contextual Links → Embedded within content, linking to related articles or pages.
- Footer Links → Usually contain secondary navigation, policies, and important resources.
- Breadcrumbs → Display the path to a page and enhance user experience.
How do Internal Links help SEO?
Internal links can be thought of as digital pathways connecting various sections of your website. Your content would be like a collection of isolated islands without them. It will be challenging to navigate for both users and search engines.
Internal links actively improve your SEO in the following ways:
1.Improve Crawlability and Indexing
Internal links are used by search engines such as Google to find and index new pages. A page won’t show up in search results if it isn’t linked anyplace since Google might have trouble finding it.
Including internal links aids search engines in determining which sites are most important. It helps the bots navigate your site efficiently, ensuring that all essential pages get indexed.
2.Distribute Page Authority (Link Equity)
From one page to another, internal links transfer page authority or link equity. So, if you have a high-ranking page, you can use it to strengthen other important pages by linking to them.
Links from high-authority pages such as well-performing blog posts to lower-ranking pages will give them a boost in search rankings.
3.Enhance Keyword Relevance and Context
Google determines the purpose of a page by examining the anchor text of internal links. Using relevant, keyword-rich anchor text enhances the topical authority of your website and facilitates better content classification by search engines.
Using descriptive text like “SEO-friendly website structure” instead of linking with generic text like “click here,” helps Google and users understand what to expect.
4.Reduce Bounce Rate and Increase Engagement
Internal links encourage visitors to explore more content on your site. The longer they stay engaged, the better it is for your SEO.
Using compelling anchor text to guide users toward high-value content, such as blog posts, case studies, or service pages will keep visitors on your site longer. This signals to Google that your content is valuable.
5.Reducing Orphan Pages
Orphan pages are those without any internal links pointing to them, making them difficult for search engines and users to find.
According to an Ahrefs study, orphan pages have trouble ranking because Google finds it difficult to crawl them efficiently.
A good internal linking strategy ensures all pages are connected, enhancing overall visibility. Regular audits help identify and fix orphan pages, ensuring they contribute to your site’s SEO value.
6.Strengthening Topic Clusters and Content Silos
By grouping related articles together, internal linking helps create content silos. This strengthens the topical authority of a site. This lets search engines know that your website offers comprehensive information on a topic.
If you have multiple blog posts about “technical SEO”, connecting them together strengthens the association between them and raises their combined ranks.
7.Boosting Conversion Rates
In order to increase sales and lead generation, it can be helpful to strategically place internal links to product pages, service pages, or lead capture forms.
Conversions will increase if a blog post addresses an issue that your product resolves and includes a link to the relevant product page.
8.Encouraging Deeper Site Exploration
Internal links encourage users to explore more of your content by linking to related articles or pages. This enhances user experience and increases the time spent on your site, which can positively impact SEO rankings.
An well-linked article will keep readers engaged and increase the likelihood that they will engage with your brand.
9.Aiding in Faster Indexation of New Pages
Linking to newly published content from pages that are already indexed speeds up search engine crawlers’ discovery and indexation of the new page.
This is particularly helpful for pages that require immediate visibility or content that is time-sensitive.
10.Helping with Seasonal or Trending Content Visibility
Internal links will direct traffic to seasonal or trending content. This makes sure it receives the recognition it deserves without depending entirely on other sources.
For example, linking to your Black Friday offers page from multiple high-traffic pages can improve its reach and effectiveness.
Internal Linking Guidelines for Better SEO
1.Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Instead of generic phrases like “click here,” use keyword-rich and descriptive anchor text that provides context about the linked page.
2.Utilize Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs improve navigation. It helps users track their location on your site, and provide additional internal linking opportunities.
3.Regularly Audit Internal Links
Broken internal links negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog to check for broken links and fix them
4.Prioritize Relevant Links
Ensure internal links add value to the reader by directing them to closely related content. Avoid excessive or forced linking.
5.Maintain a Logical Site Structure
A hierarchical website structure (Home > Category > Subcategory > Page) ensures better link flow and enhances crawlability.
6.Avoid Excessive Internal Linking
Too many links on a single page will dilute their value and confuse search engines. So, stick to a reasonable number that enhances usability and SEO.
Following the recommended internal link limit per page for SEO will help maintain clarity and preserve link equity across your site.
7.Context Matters – Place Internal Links Naturally
Internal links should be incorporated naturally into the content. Avoid forcing them in an unnatural way. If not, it will negatively affect user experience and readability.
8.Use Dofollow Links for Internal Linking
By default, internal links should be “dofollow” to allow search engines to crawl and pass link equity. Only use “nofollow” if you intentionally want to prevent certain pages from being indexed.
9.Link to High-Priority Pages
Identify the most important pages on your website, such as cornerstone content, service pages, or product pages. Then ensure they receive sufficient internal links from high-authority pages to boost their rankings.
Final Verdict: Do Internal Links help SEO?
Yes. But only if used strategically.
- Internal links enhance user experience, engagement, crawlability, and rankings.
- They aid in the distribution of link equity, improving the SEO of every page.
- More traffic, higher conversions, and improved rankings are all results of smart internal linking.
Final Takeaway: The Internal Linking SEO Checklist
- Keep important pages within 3 clicks from the homepage
- Make use of anchor text that is varied and descriptive.
- Prioritize contextual links over merely navigational ones.
- Provide links to underperforming pages from high-authority pages.
- Add internal links to orphan pages to fix them.
