Hello, my SEO peeps!

This week, we’re diving into something that might sound a bit boring, but trust me, internal linking is an SEO goldmine. If you’re serious about ranking better and making your site more user-friendly, you don’t want to skip this one.

Internal links help Google understand your site structure, pass authority to your top pages, and guide users exactly where you want them to go. It’s like giving directions on a road trip—except way less stressful and no one’s fighting over the GPS. 😂

Dad Joke:

Why did the scarecrow win an award?

Because he was outstanding in his field!

In honor of November, I knew I had to use this one! This is courtesy of my daughter’s school 🤣

SEO Tip #6

If you’ve got a blog post, landing page, or product page that’s hidden away without any internal links pointing to it, it’s like a lonely island no one can reach. Internal links are the bridges that guide users and search engines to your best content. Let’s break down how to build an internal linking strategy that works.

Step 1: Identify Your Most Important Pages

Start by deciding which pages are the most valuable on your site. These are the pages you want users (and Google) to find easily. It could be your main service pages, top-performing blog posts, or key product pages.

Ask yourself:

• What pages drive the most conversions?

• Which blog posts get the most engagement?

• What content aligns best with your current SEO goals?

Step 2: Use Descriptive Anchor Text

When adding internal links, use descriptive anchor text that tells both users and search engines what to expect on the linked page. Avoid generic phrases like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, be specific, like “learn more about on-page SEO” or “find SEO tips for small businesses.”

Tips for anchor text:

• Be specific. The anchor text should relate to the content on the linked page.

• Keep it natural. Don’t force keywords if it doesn’t feel right.

• Vary your phrases. Don’t use the same anchor text everywhere—Google likes variety.

Step 3: Link from High-Authority Pages

Not all pages on your site hold the same weight in Google’s eyes. Pages that get a lot of traffic or have a high number of backlinks are considered more authoritative. Linking from these pages to other parts of your site can pass authority (also known as “link juice”) and help boost the rankings of less visible pages.

Here’s how to do it:

• Find your top-performing pages in Google Analytics.

• Look for opportunities to add internal links from these pages to your target pages.

Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it. Adding too many internal links can make the page feel spammy. Aim for 2-5 relevant links per high-authority page.

Step 4: Create a Content Hub with Related Links

If you have a series of related content pieces, group them together with internal links to create a content hub. For example, if you have several blog posts on SEO strategies, you could link them all to a “Beginner’s Guide to SEO” page. This helps users explore related content easily and signals to Google that you’re an authority on the topic.

Content hub tips:

• Choose a “pillar” page as the main page of the hub.

• Link all related articles to the pillar page and vice versa.

• Update these links as you create new content to keep the hub fresh.

Step 5: Regularly Audit Your Internal Links

Internal linking isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of deal. As you add new content, update old content, or reorganize your site, it’s important to audit your internal links to keep everything connected. Broken links or outdated links can hurt your SEO and create a poor user experience.

How to do an internal link audit:

• Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to find and fix broken links.

• Identify pages with too few links pointing to them (these might need more love!).

• Make sure your most important pages have plenty of internal links from relevant content.

Final Thought: Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to internal linking, more isn’t always better. It’s about connecting your pages naturally and strategically. Think of it as creating a trail for users and search engines to follow. If you do it right, you’ll see improved rankings, longer user sessions, and a more cohesive site structure.

And that’s a wrap!

And that’s it for this week! Internal linking might not be as flashy as some SEO techniques, but it’s incredibly effective. And the best part? You’re in full control. Unlike backlinks, you don’t have to rely on anyone else—you can create a solid internal linking strategy all on your own.

Thanks again for tuning in each week. I’m here to help you grow your SEO knowledge one tip at a time! If you have questions or just want to say hi, hit reply. And if you need more hands-on SEO help, remember I’m always available at theseomarketingdad.com.

PS If you are having trouble with your SEO please reach out! I offer consultations and retainer contracts for SEO services!