Internal Linking
Definition
Internal Linking
Internal linking is the practice of creating links between pages on your own website.
Timothé Merle(Co-founder Hikoo - Expert AEO/GEO)
Updated on
TL;DR
Key Definition
Internal linking distributes authority between your pages, helps engines understand your site structure, and guides users to relevant content. For GEO, it helps AI navigate your content.
Importance
Why Does It Matter?
- Distributes PageRank between your pages
- Helps crawlers discover your content
- Establishes hierarchy and content relationships
- Guides AI in understanding your site
- Improves user experience
How Does It Work?
Internal linking creates a network of semantic connections between your pages.
Contextual Links
The most powerful links are inserted naturally in content, with descriptive anchors.
Silo Structure
Organize your content in thematic silos with strong internal links within each silo.
Metrics
How Do You Measure It?
- Number of internal links per page
- Internal PageRank distribution
- Crawl depth of key pages
- Traffic flow between pages
Pitfalls
What Are the Common Mistakes?
- Orphan pages without incoming links
- Non-descriptive anchors ("click here")
- Too many links on one page
- Flat structure without hierarchy
What Should You Do First?
Follow these steps to get started.
- Identify your orphan pages
- Create links from relevant content
- Use descriptive anchors
- Structure into thematic clusters
- Link to important pages from navigation
- Regularly audit your linking
Examples
Glossary Cluster
Each glossary term links to related terms, use cases, and comparisons, creating a dense network.