Google's latest "SEO Made Easy" video highlights the importance of internal linking for boosting your website's visibility and user experience. This article breaks down the key takeaways from the video, presented by Google's Martin Splitt.
Why Internal Linking Matters
Internal linking, the practice of linking from one page on your site to another, plays a crucial role in SEO. It helps search engines understand the relationships between your pages, potentially leading to higher rankings. Moreover, it guides users through your website, enhancing their overall experience by connecting them to relevant content.
Google's Top 3 Internal Linking Tips
Splitt emphasized three core principles for effective internal linking:
1. User Navigation: Internal links act as signposts for visitors, directing them to related content and helping them grasp your website's structure.
2. Search Engine Crawling: Googlebot, the web crawler that indexes websites, utilizes internal links to discover new pages and understand the connections between them.
3. HTML Best Practices: Employing appropriate HTML elements, particularly the `<a>` tag with an `href` attribute, is essential for creating functional and effective links.
The Power of Meaningful Anchor Text
One of Google's key recommendations revolves around using descriptive and meaningful anchor text for links. Clear anchor text improves user experience by allowing visitors to quickly scan a page and understand where each link will lead them. As Splitt stated:
"Users and bots alike prefer meaningful anchor text. Here on the left you see what that looks like â each link has meaningful words as anchor text, and you can easily spot what the link will take you to."
Balancing Link Quantity
While internal linking is vital, overdoing it can be detrimental. Splitt cautions against adding links excessively and instead advises applying critical judgment when linking. Create logical connections between related content without overwhelming the user or diluting the page's focus.
Technical Considerations for Links
The video also addresses the technical aspects of link implementation. Splitt discourages using non-standard elements like spans, divs, or buttons to create links. He emphasizes that if an element behaves like a link, it should be coded as one using the proper HTML structure.
Key Takeaways
Here's a summary of the key points from Google's video:
Internal linking is fundamental for both SEO and user experience.
Focus on using meaningful and descriptive anchor text for links.
Leverage internal links strategically to guide users and search engines through your site.
Balance the number of links to avoid overwhelming users or diluting page focus.
Adhere to proper HTML structure when implementing links.
By following these simple yet effective guidelines, you can optimize your website's internal linking strategy, enhancing its SEO performance and user experience.