Boosting Rankings
Internal linking is essential to boosting rankings and enhancing user experience when optimising your website for search engines. But how many internal links per page are ideal for SEO? Let’s dive into the factors influencing this and uncover the best practices.
Why Are Internal Links Important?
Internal links are hyperlinks that point from one page on your website to another. They serve several key purposes.
They improve website navigation, helping users discover related content, spread ranking power across your site through link equity, boost page authority by highlighting important pages for search engines, and enhance User Experience, keeping visitors engaged by providing additional resources.
Understanding their role in SEO is crucial before determining the optimal number of internal links per page.
How Many Internal Links Should You Have Per Page?
Google’s Recommendation
Google has historically advised keeping the number of links on a page to a "reasonable" number. While this is vague, it’s generally understood that you should avoid overwhelming users or search engines with too many links.
User Experience First
Focus on providing value to your readers. A page with 10-15 internal links that are contextually relevant and helpful is likely a good number. Avoid adding links just for the sake of it.
Page Length Matters
The number of internal links should scale with the length of your content. For shorter pages, 3-5 internal links might suffice. Consider including 20 or more links for longer, in-depth articles, provided they are natural and relevant.
Avoid Over-Optimisation
Adding too many links can make your content appear spammy. Search engines might also struggle to understand which links are most important. Stick to linking only where it makes sense.
Best Practices for Internal Linking
To maximise the SEO benefits of internal linking, follow these best practices:
Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Ensure the clickable text of your links is descriptive and relevant to the linked page. This helps both users and search engines understand the link's context.
Link to High-Value Pages
Prioritise linking to pages that:
- Are high-converting.
- Provide comprehensive information.
- Support your overall SEO strategy.
Avoid Orphan Pages
Every page on your site should have at least one internal link pointing to it. This ensures search engines can crawl and index all your content.
Maintain a Logical Structure
Use internal links to create a logical site hierarchy. For example, link from category pages to subcategory pages and individual posts or products.
Regularly Audit Your Links
Broken links can accumulate over time. Use tools like Google Search Console or third-party software to identify and fix broken internal links.
Tools to Help with Internal Linking
Several tools can simplify internal linking for SEO:
- Yoast SEO: Offers internal linking suggestions in WordPress.
- Ahrefs Site Audit: Identifies internal linking opportunities and issues.
- Screaming Frog: Provides a detailed report of all internal links on your site.
So, how many internal links per page should you have for SEO? The answer depends on your content, website structure, and user needs. Focus on quality over quantity, ensuring that every internal link adds value. Following the best practices outlined here, you can create a robust internal linking strategy that supports SEO and user experience.
Contact us today if you need expert guidance or help managing your SEO strategy. We’re here to help you optimise your website and achieve your goals.
Posted on 10 January 2025
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