How many internal links per page for SEO?

Internal linking is one of the most powerful yet overlooked aspects of SEO. By placing internal links within your website, you guide users and search engines alike to your most important pages, improving navigation and boosting your site’s SEO value.

However, one question that often arises is: how many internal links per page should you use for optimal SEO performance? In this article, we’ll explore the ideal number of internal links per page, the importance of internal linking, and best practices to follow.

What Are Internal Links?

Internal links are hyperlinks that point from one page on a website to another page on the same website. Unlike external links, which direct users to a different website, internal links keep users within your site. These links serve several purposes:

Navigation: They help users easily navigate from one page to another.
SEO boost: Internal links pass SEO value, or “link juice,” from one page to another, helping important pages rank better in search engine results.
User experience: They provide additional reading or resources, improving user engagement and session duration.

Understanding the purpose of internal linking is crucial before diving into the ideal number of links per page.

Why Are Internal Links Important for SEO?

Internal linking plays a vital role in SEO because it helps search engines understand the structure of your website and the relationship between various pages. Here are some key reasons why internal links are important:

Distribute page authority (Link Juice): Internal links help distribute authority or “link juice” from high-authority pages to other pages on your site, helping them rank better in search engines.
Enhance crawling: Search engine bots use internal links to crawl and index your site more efficiently. Proper internal linking ensures that no page is left unindexed.
Improve page ranking: When more internal links point to a specific page, search engines consider it more valuable, which can improve its rankings.
Boost user engagement: Internal links encourage users to visit other relevant pages on your site, increasing time spent on your site and reducing bounce rates.

How many internal links should you have per page?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the number of internal links per page. However, several factors can guide you to determine an optimal number based on the size and structure of your website.

General guidelines:
– Google has not explicitly stated a maximum or minimum number of internal links per page. However, John Mueller from Google has mentioned that having “a reasonable number” of internal links per page is important.
– As a general rule of thumb, aim for 2-5 internal links per 500 words. For a 1,000-word page, this would translate to 4-10 internal links.
Page length:
– Longer pages, like blog posts or resource guides, may have more opportunities for internal linking without overdoing it. If a page is around 2,000 words, you can safely include 10-15 internal links as long as they are relevant and provide value.
– For shorter pages, such as product descriptions or simple landing pages, limit your internal links to 3-5.
Contextual relevance:
– The most important factor is ensuring that your internal links are contextually relevant. Instead of focusing on a specific number, ensure that each internal link is useful for the reader and adds to the user experience. This improves the overall quality of your site and helps search engines rank your content better.
User experience focus:
– Remember that SEO is about providing a good user experience. Too many internal links can overwhelm users and make the content feel spammy. Keep internal links natural and provide them where they make sense within the context of your content.

Best practices for internal linking

While determining how many internal links to use is essential, following best practices can further optimize your SEO efforts. Here are some proven strategies:

Link to important pages:
– Prioritize linking to pages that you want to rank higher in search results, such as cornerstone content, high-converting landing pages, or important blog posts. This helps search engines understand which pages are the most important on your site.
Use descriptive Anchor Text:
– The text used in the internal link (anchor text) should clearly describe the linked page. Avoid generic terms like “click here” and instead use keyword-rich, descriptive anchor text that explains what users can expect when they click on the link.
Avoid overlinking:
– Overloading a page with internal links can dilute the SEO value passed through each link. Google and other search engines may view this as manipulative, which can negatively impact your rankings. Stick to a balanced number of internal links per page.
Use links in natural context:
– Place your internal links where they feel natural within the content. For example, if you’re writing a blog post about SEO strategies, linking to another page on your site that discusses keyword research makes sense. Avoid placing internal links randomly just for SEO purposes.
Update old content with new links:
– Regularly update your older content with new internal links to ensure that newer pages on your site receive some SEO value. This also keeps older content relevant and useful to readers.
Link deeply:
– Don’t only link to your homepage or high-level category pages. Deep linking or linking to pages several layers deep within your site, helps spread SEO value and increases the chances of all your pages being discovered and ranked.
Internal linking for orphan pages:
– Orphan pages are pages that do not receive any internal links from other pages. These pages are harder for search engines to find and may not rank well. Make sure every important page on your website has at least one internal link pointing to it.

Common mistakes to avoid with internal linking

Broken internal links:
– Always ensure that your internal links are functioning correctly. Broken links create a poor user experience and can negatively affect your SEO rankings.
Too many links in the same page:
– As mentioned earlier, stuffing too many internal links into one page can hurt SEO rather than help it. Stick to a reasonable number that feels natural.
Using irrelevant Anchor Text:
– Avoid using vague or unrelated anchor text in your internal links. Make sure the linked text matches the content of the target page.
Linking only to high-level pages:
– Many website owners make the mistake of linking only to high-level pages like the homepage or service pages. While these are important, don’t forget about deep linking to subpages or blog posts that can also drive traffic and boost rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many internal links per page are recommended for SEO?

There isn’t a fixed number, but a good rule of thumb is to include 2-5 internal links for every 500 words. This means that a 1,000-word article may have around 4-10 internal links. Ensure that the links are contextually relevant and valuable to users.

2. Can too many internal links hurt SEO?

Yes, having too many internal links can negatively impact SEO. It can dilute the value passed through each link and may confuse both users and search engine crawlers. Aim for a balanced number of relevant and high-quality internal links.

3. Do internal links help with SEO rankings?

4. Should I include internal links in every blog post?

Yes, including internal links in every blog post is recommended. It helps keep users on your site longer by guiding them to related content and improves the overall SEO value of your site. Just make sure the links are relevant and useful.

5. Can internal linking help new content rank faster?

Yes, internal linking to new content from high-authority pages can help it get indexed and rank faster. By linking to new blog posts or pages from already established content, you can transfer some SEO value and help the new page gain visibility more quickly.

6. What is the difference between internal and external links?

Internal links point to pages within the same website, while external links lead to pages on other websites. Both are important for SEO, but internal links help with website navigation and distribute page authority across your own site.

7. Can I use the same internal link multiple times on one page?

While it’s okay to use the same internal link more than once, it’s generally better to limit the number of times a single page is linked from the same article. Focus on providing diverse, relevant internal links throughout your content.

8. How can I find orphan pages on my site?

Orphan pages can be identified using tools like Google Search Console or SEO auditing software such as Ahrefs or Screaming Frog. These tools will show you which pages on your site lack internal links and need to be integrated into your linking structure.