Internal linking in SEO refers to the process of connecting different pages of the same website with hyperlinks. According to Moz, a well-respected authority in the field of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), an internal link is any link from one page on your website to another page on your same website. This differs from external linking, where a website links out to a different domain, or inbound links, where another website links to your own.
Internal linking is interesting for several reasons. Primarily, internal links help in spreading link equity around websites, supporting SEO. As explained by Yoast, a widely recognized SEO software company, this link equity or “link juice” is a concept in SEO where some of a page’s ability to rank in search engines spreads to other pages through hyperlinks. For instance, if your homepage has a high domain authority and it links to an internal page on your website, it helps uplift the internal page’s search engine ranking as well.
Apart from this, internal linking serves an important role in guiding your website’s visitors to relevant content. It aids in navigation, giving users a roadmap of related content on your website. For example, a blog post about healthy recipes on a fitness website could link to internal articles on workouts, creating a web of connected content that users can explore.
Another crucial aspect is that internal links help search engines to understand the structure and hierarchy of your website. As noted by Search Engine Journal, they can crawl and index pages on your website easier due to the web of interconnectivity. In other words, when Google’s bots land on a webpage, they follow all the links on the page to discover additional content. If your pages are properly interlinked, it enhances your website’s visibility in search engine results.
To optimize your SEO strategy, it is important to develop an internal linking strategy. Key practices include adding links to your high-value pages, varying your linking texts (also known as anchor texts), and ensuring your links are relevant to the overall context. Consistently adding fresh content and linking it from your old pages can also keep your internal link structure dynamic and your website current.
In summary, internal linking is an integral part of SEO. It helps distribute link equity, facilitates easier navigation, and enables search engines to better understand your website’s content and structure, which can ultimately improve your visibility in search engine results.
Sources:
- “Internal Links.” Moz. https://moz.com/learn/seo/internal-link
- “What is Link Equity?” Yoast. https://yoast.com/what-is-link-equity/
- “Internal Linking: The Ultimate Guide.” Search Engine Journal. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/internal-linking-best-practices/270633/
