Introduction
When it comes to On-Page SEO, internal linking is one of the most powerful but underrated tactics. A good internal linking strategy can:
Increase your rankings
Improve the time users spend on your website
Help Google understand your content structure
In this article, we’ll explore how internal linking works, why it matters for SEO, and how you can implement it effectively on your site like urlshortly.com.
What is Internal Linking?
Internal links are hyperlinks that connect one page of a website to another page on the same domain.
Example:
If you're writing a blog post about "Image Optimization," and you link to another article on "Page Speed SEO," that’s an internal link.
Why Internal Linking is Important for SEO
✅ 1. Helps Search Engines Crawl Your Site
Google uses internal links to discover new pages. A strong internal linking structure helps bots move through your site easily.
✅ 2. Passes Link Equity (SEO Power)
When you link from a high-authority page to another page, you pass on some of that SEO strength.
✅ 3. Improves User Experience
Internal links guide users to relevant content, keeping them engaged longer.
✅ 4. Boosts Keyword Relevance
Anchor text in internal links helps Google understand the context of the destination page.
✅ 5. Reduces Bounce Rate
By providing links to more useful content, users stay longer on your site.
Types of Internal Links
Navigational Links – Found in menus, sidebars, or footers
Contextual Links – Found inside blog posts or page content
Footer or Related Posts Links – Help users explore more topics
Best Practices for Internal Linking
✅ 1. Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Avoid generic anchor text like “click here.”
Instead, use keywords that describe the page you're linking to.
Example:
✅ Good: Learn more about On-Page SEO techniques.
❌ Bad: Click here.
✅ 2. Link to Relevant Content
Only link to pages that are relevant to the current topic. Relevance keeps users engaged and improves your SEO signals.
✅ 3. Avoid Overstuffing Links
Too many internal links in one paragraph can confuse users and dilute link value.
Aim for 3 to 5 contextual links per 700-word article.
✅ 4. Use a Logical Structure
Think of your site like a pyramid:
Homepage at the top
Category pages in the middle
Blog posts and service pages at the bottom
Internal links should connect content from bottom to middle, and side to side.
✅ 5. Link to Important Pages Often
Pages like your services, money pages, or best-performing content should receive more internal links to boost their authority.
✅ 6. Update Old Content with New Links
Whenever you publish a new article, go back to old articles and link them to the new one (if relevant). It helps search engines crawl and index the new page faster.
Tools to Help with Internal Linking
Yoast SEO (WordPress plugin) – Suggests internal links while writing
Ahrefs Site Audit – Shows orphan pages and link opportunities
Screaming Frog – Analyzes internal link structure
Link Whisper (premium) – AI-powered linking tool for WordPress
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Linking to irrelevant content
🚫 Using the same anchor text for different URLs
🚫 Having orphan pages (no internal links)
🚫 Creating circular loops (Page A links to Page B and back to A)
🚫 Ignoring user experience just to add links
Conclusion
Internal linking is not just a technical task — it’s a strategic SEO tool. It helps search engines understand your website’s structure and gives users a better experience.
Whether you’re running a blog, product site, or service business like urlshortly.com, strong internal linking will keep your SEO strong and your visitors more engaged.
Start linking smarter today!