Why internal links matter
Google finds most pages by following links. A page with no internal links pointing to it is hard to discover and looks unimportant. Google's ranking systems also study how pages link to each other to understand what each page is about.
For visitors, links act like signs in a store. A post about tooth pain should point to the emergency dentist page, the location page and the financing page.
How to link well
- Use real HTML links that Google can crawl.
- Write anchor text that describes the destination.
- Link from broad pages to specific service pages.
- Link supporting posts back to the main service page.
- Keep links where they help the reader decide.
Google's link guide asks for descriptive, reasonably short anchor text. "Emergency dentist in Orlando" tells readers and Google more than "learn more." Avoid stuffing keywords into every link. Natural wording reads better.
How many links a page needs
Google says there is no magic number. If a page seems to have too many links, it probably does. Link where the reader needs the next piece of information, not on every keyword.
Good example. A post on the signs of termites links to the inspection page and the treatment page. It also links to a short FAQ on inspection cost.
Bad example. A post repeats the same keyword link ten times, links to unrelated pages and labels every link "read more."
Where to start
Review your top five service pages. Check that the homepage, menu, related posts and city pages link to each one. Then check that each service page gives visitors a clear next step.
Pages that sit unlinked usually rank poorly. Our SEO services map internal links across your site, and our web design team builds menus that lead to the pages that sell.