Internal Linking Strategies to Boost Page Authority
Why isn’t my content ranking higher?
Why do some pages get more traffic while others collect dust?
How do I make my site stronger without begging for backlinks?
If you’ve asked these questions, the answer might be simpler than you think: internal linking.
Most people focus on backlinks (and yes, they matter), but ignoring internal links is like building a house with no hallways—everything’s there, but nothing connects.
Here’s how to fix it.
What Are Internal Links? (And Why They Matter for SEO)
Internal links are hyperlinks that point to other pages on your own website. They:
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Help search engines understand your site structure.
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Spread page authority (ranking power) across your site.
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Keep readers engaged (lower bounce rate = better rankings).
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Make it easier for Google to index and rank your pages.
Think of your website like a power grid. Internal links distribute the energy (authority) from your strongest pages to the weaker ones.
7 Internal Linking Strategies That Actually Work
1. Link Deep, Not Just to Your Homepage
Most people link to their homepage or main category pages. Don’t.
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Weak: “Check out our services [here].” (Links to homepage)
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Strong: “Here’s how our [SEO audit service] fixes ranking problems.” (Links to a deep service page)
Why? Deep links pass authority to pages that need it.
2. Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Anchor text (the clickable words in a link) tells Google what the linked page is about.
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Bad: “Click here to learn more.”
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Good: “This guide on [keyword research tools] breaks it down.”
Pro Tip: Mix exact-match keywords with natural variations (LSI keywords).
3. Build a “Hub and Spoke” Structure
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Hub Page: A pillar post covering a broad topic (e.g., “SEO for Beginners”).
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Spoke Pages: Detailed subtopics (e.g., “How to Do On-Page SEO”, “Best Backlink Strategies”).
Link all spoke pages back to the hub (and vice versa). This creates a topic cluster, boosting authority for all related pages.
4. Link from High-Authority Pages
Some pages on your site get more traffic and backlinks (like your blog’s top-performing post). Use these to power up weaker pages.
How?
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Check Google Analytics for your most visited pages.
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Add relevant internal links from those pages to newer/less-ranking content.
5. Fix Orphan Pages (Content with No Internal Links)
Orphan pages are pages on your site with zero internal links pointing to them. Google may never find them.
How to Fix:
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Run a site audit (use Screaming Frog).
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Find orphan pages.
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Add links from relevant posts.
6. Use Internal Links in Your Navigation & Footer
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Navigation: Link to key service pages.
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Footer: Add links to important but less prominent pages (FAQ, Contact, Resources).
7. Automate Internal Linking (Where Possible)
Plugins like LinkWhisper suggest internal links as you write. Saves time, keeps your linking game strong.
FAQs on Internal Linking
How many internal links should a page have?
No hard rule, but 20-50 per page is safe. Focus on relevance over quantity.
Do internal links affect rankings directly?
Yes. They help Google understand and rank your pages better.
Should I nofollow internal links?
Almost never. You want link juice to flow.
How often should I audit internal links?
Every 3-6 months. Fix broken links, update anchors, and add new links.
Final Tip: Keep It Natural
Internal linking isn’t about stuffing every possible link. It’s about guiding readers (and Google) to the best next step.
Start with your top 3 most important pages. Link to them strategically from new posts. Watch your rankings climb.
Need More Traffic? Promote Your Content
Great content + smart internal linking = strong SEO. But if you want faster growth, promote your work.
Best Places to Promote Your Content (Including YouTube & Social Media)
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MediaGeneous – Boost YouTube views & social media growth.
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Reddit – Share in relevant subreddits.
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Quora – Answer questions with links to your content.
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Facebook Groups – Engage in niche communities.
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Pinterest – Drive traffic with visual pins.
Bottom Line: Internal linking is free, easy, and powerful. Stop leaving ranking power on the table—start linking smarter today.
