Most Common Internal Linking Mistakes To Avoid

The effective SEO strategy that you have full control over it is internal linking. It might seem like a simpler one. But, if you don’t do it properly, then you will fail to claim its utmost benefits. Hence, I am writing this article about the most typical mistakes that SEO’s would commit often.

Internal Linking Is –

Internal linking refers to linking between the pages within the same website. To put it simply, the source and target domain are same in case of internal links. Basically it aims for three purposes –

• Improving website navigation
• Defining the hierarchy of the pages
• Distributing authority among the pages

Is Internal Linking That Imperative For SEO?

Yes, absolutely. One of the first on-page elements that I look into is internal linking. Also, while performing site audit, I give high priority to my internal link structure. Since, it offers immense benefits over individual page and overall site rankings.

Here are some of the common internal linking mistakes you must be aware and avoid to extract the ultimate benefits.

Internal Linking Mistakes You Must Avoid

You might be master in other advanced SEO tricks. But, there are high chances to commit these silly mistakes while inter-linking. Prove your SEO excellence stay away from these and leverage the power of internal links. Let the link juice flow be fluid between the pages and spread authority.

#1 Broken Internal Links

Broken links are simply the links that are dead or not working. The actual benefit of internal linking lies in its flow of link juice among the pages. If the internal link you have is broken, then it is detrimental.

You don’t likely be creating broken links. Bad URL’s and non-existent pages may cause your links broken.

To get rid of such no-worthy broken internal links, conduct site audit regularly to diagnose and fix it instantly.

#2 Too Many Links

Too much of anything is good for nothing. A web page that has too many links will results in poor user experience and hence, poor ranking. Having in abundance may split the value among the number of links leads to low link equity.

Also, readers might feel it annoying and disturbing the flow of reading. Each link you are placing must be offering value to the readers.

#3 URL Redirects

More URL redirects cause link chain or infinite loop. That results in losing the power of link and wasting website’s crawl inputs. Excessive redirects may also increase the crawl depth which is not fairly appreciable.

#4 Orphaned Pages

Basically, websites have different pages serving both search engines and users. But, some of the pages give no value to the search engines but appeals to the users. It includes pages like gallery, forms, etc. Internal links to such orphan pages may let your readers navigate to the linked page. But, it also lets search engines to scan no-essential pages. Perhaps, it may overlook other necessary pages, perhaps.

#5 In-depth Crawl Depth

Important or even commercial pages must be easy to discover. When it claims three to four clicks to land on a specific page, then its SEO value is decreased. Search engines are less likely to crawl the deeper pages.

Internal linking can help immensely to bring such essential pages closer to home page for quick navigation. With that being said, don’t place links of your important pages into deeper pages. Bring it closer to the top pages in the site, or home page.

#6 Improper Anchor Texts

You don’t use optimized anchor texts. Just go with natural, un-optimized words as anchor texts. Anchor text is the area where most of the people would commit mistakes.

Still don’t over think it. Don’t have generic anchor texts like click here or read more. At the same time, don’t over optimize anchor texts. Don’t have all your internal link anchor texts, your commercial or exact keywords. It shows that links are intentional. Stay out of Google penalties.

#7 Linking to same pages

Another most common mistake that you might do so while internal linking. Placing multiple links on a page pointing to the same page with different anchor texts. Sometimes, it is unavoidable. You will have it in footer, sidebar and in the body of the content. If you are clear about the keyword for which you want that page to rank for, then it is inevitable.

Still, try to have just a single contextual internal link pointing on a page to single destination. Avoid multiple existences.

#8 Navigation Equity

Do all your inner pages need to be linked to in main navigation? Not necessarily to be. Since every page requires its unique power. It makes no sense giving same power to ‘About us’ like you do with ‘services’ page. So you must strategically build internal links knowing the power and importance of each page in your site.

Instead of having all your pages in the main navigation menu, list only the main pages. Prioritize and manipulate the navigation to give adequate importance to the certain pages.

#9 Irrelevant/unnatural Links

Content links are strong signals to notify that the content you are linking is worth and the most relevant. Both search engines and the users want it.

When you link your content, you are telling users that the linked page is most important. Better, organize your web content on silo basis. Inter linking between relevant content becomes simpler now.

#10 Nofollow Internal Links

As I said above, the major advantage of internal links lies in its flow of link juice. If you make it nofollow then it is a detrimental mistake. Webmasters practice such tactics to increase the link juice to a single (affiliate page). But, that doesn’t work as an SEO strategy.

Anyways, using nofollow link is not a one to try in your internal linking strategy. Let the link value flows, to and from internal pages, freely.

Final Take Away

Internal linking avoiding these typical mistakes would reap you utmost benefits. Internal linking is not overwhelming or complex. Ultimately, you will experience a strong link profile and better keyword ranking by perfect internal linking.

Make sure to perform a comprehensive site audit to review your old pages. Revise your existing page internal links and boost individual page rankings too.