Six Internal Linking Tips to Boost Your Website's Search Rankings
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Have you ever clicked on a link while reading a website and found yourself on another page of the same site?
That's an internal link in action. Internal linking is an easy & powerful tool that can make your website better for both visitors and search engines.
In this post, I'll explain what internal linking is, why it's important, and how you can use it effectively on your own site. Whether you're new to websites or you've been running one for a while, understanding internal linking can help you create a better online experience for your audience.
Internal links can be found:
In the main menu at the top of the page
In the sidebar on the left or right
At the bottom of the page in the footer
Within the text of your articles or blog posts
All these links have a purpose: they help your visitors find more info about things they're interested in, AND they show search engines how your website is organized - and what you think is important on your site.
Why Internal Links Are Important For Your Website
They Make Your Website Easier to Use
When you add internal links to your website, you're helping your people in several ways:
They can find related info quickly.
They spend more time on your site because it's easy to explore (which is also good for SEO)
Think about when you're been deep diving on something, and you’re reading an interesting blog post. If you see a link to other posts that catch your eye, you're more likely to click on it (Or if you’re like me, you’ll open like 18 tabs to save for later). That's the power of internal linking.
They Help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engines like Google use things called "crawlers" to read and understand websites. These crawlers follow links to discover new pages.
When you use internal links, you're helping these crawlers in a few ways:
They can find all the pages on your site more easily.
They understand which pages on your site are the most important.
They get a better idea of what your website is about.
All of this can help your website show up higher in search results when people look for topics you write about.
How to Use Internal Links
1. Use Clear and Descriptive Words for Your Links
Instead of saying "click here" or "read more," use words that tell people what they'll find if they click.
Like:
Bad: "To learn about dog training, click here." 😕
Good: "Check out our guide on basic dog training techniques." 😍
The second example gives readers a clear idea of what to expect when they click the link.
Tip: This is also much better for accessibility! It lets screen readers know exactly what the link is about.
2. Link to Relevant Content
Your links should make sense in the context of what you're writing about. If you're writing an article about healthy eating, it makes sense to link to other articles about nutrition or recipes. It wouldn't make sense to link to an article about car repair or wombats. Stay relevant.
3. Don't Overdo It
Too many links can be distracting and might make your content hard to read. As a general rule, aim for about 3-5 links for every 1000 words you write. This is just a guideline, though. The most important thing is that your links add value for your readers.
4. Spread Your Links Throughout Your Content
Don't put all your links in the first paragraph. Spread them out naturally through your content. This makes your article easier to read and gives people a reason to keep scrolling.
5. Link to Your Most Important Pages
Every website has some pages that are more important than others. These might be your main service pages, your best blog posts, or pages that explain important concepts. Make sure you're linking to these important pages often.
6. Check Your Links Regularly
Over time, you might change the structure of your website or remove some pages. When this happens, some of your internal links might stop working. These are called "broken links," and they can frustrate visitors and hurt your SEO. It means visitors will get a 404 Error Page instead of what they were looking for.
Set aside some time every few months to check your links and fix any that are broken.
Read more:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do internal links really help with SEO?
A: Yep! Internal links help search engines understand the structure of your site, and the relationships between different pages. This can improve your site's visibility in search results. And improve specific sites created just for SEO (ask me how I easily got to number one for “Squarespace Web Design Portland Oregon” with internal linking and a basic knowledge of SEO).
Q: Should I use the same words for links to the same page?
A: It's better to use different words, or what's called "anchor text." This gives both readers and search engines more context about the linked page. For example, if you have a page about dog training, you might link to it with phrases like "basic dog training tips," "how to train your puppy," or "dog obedience classes."
Q: How many internal links should I have on a page?
A: There's not a strict rule, but a good guideline is to include enough links to be helpful without overwhelming your readers. For a typical blog post, anywhere from 5 to 10 internal links is usually appropriate.
Q: Can I just link to my homepage a bunch?
A: While it's OK to link to your homepage, don't overdo it. Please. Your homepage is usually already super easy to find (often through your logo or site name at the top of every page). Instead, focus on linking to other important pages that visitors might not find as easily.
Q: Should I open internal links in a new tab?
A: Generally, it's best to have internal links open in the same tab. This keeps navigation simple and allows the back button to work as expected. You might want to open external links (links to other websites) in a new tab, though, which can also help with SEO.
Internal linking is an easy and effective way to improve your website. It helps your visitors find what they're looking for and explore your content more easily. AND, at the same time, it helps search engines understand and rank your site better.
Key Takeaways:
Use clear, descriptive words for your links.
Link to relevant, helpful content.
Don't use too many links—quality over quantity.
Spread your links throughout your content.
Link to your most important pages often.
Check and update your links regularly.
