Internal Linking Strategies
Use internal links to guide readers and strengthen content relationships.
Before You Start
This is Lesson 21 of the MoneyOnliners Blogging Academy, in Module 3: Creating Content That Ranks. Review Lesson 20: On-Page SEO Basics first.
Bring a list of your published pages and one article you want to improve. You will identify useful connections, write descriptive link text and check the destinations.
Internal linking supports discovery and navigation. It does not guarantee indexing, rankings or traffic.
Internal links connect pages within your own website. Link where another page helps the reader understand a concept or take the next step. Use descriptive anchor text, ordinary links with valid destinations and a sensible site structure. Add relevant incoming links to new articles, repair broken links and avoid forcing links into unrelated content.
Learning Objectives
- Distinguish navigation links from contextual article links.
- Choose relevant destinations based on reader needs.
- Write concise, descriptive anchor text.
- Plan a hub page and useful supporting articles.
- Find missing incoming links and broken destinations.
- Complete a small linking review before Lesson 22.
Understanding Internal Linking Strategies
An internal link takes a reader to another page on the same website. It can explain a term, supply an example or point to the next lesson. Search engines can also follow crawlable links to discover pages and understand relationships between them.
Navigation and Contextual Links
Navigation links appear in menus, breadcrumbs and course controls. They provide a predictable route around the site. Contextual links sit inside relevant explanations and connect the current question to a useful resource.
Both have a purpose. A footer containing a page link does not make every possible contextual link useful. Add the connection where the destination helps the reader at that point in the article.
Choose the Destination Before the Anchor Text
Ask what information the reader needs next. Choose an existing article that answers that need and check that the page is accurate, accessible and current. Then write link text describing the destination.
Give Important Pages a Discoverable Route
A page with no incoming internal links may be difficult to discover through normal navigation. Such a page is often called an orphan page. A sitemap can help discovery, but it does not replace useful connections within your site.
Ensure each important public article has a relevant route from another page. Review older articles when you publish something new, so readers can reach the new resource from an appropriate starting point.
Relevant Destination
The linked page answers a real follow-up question.
Clear Link Text
Readers can predict what they will find.
Working Route
The link reaches the intended public page.
“A useful internal link gives the reader a clear reason to continue.”
— MoneyOnliners Editorial TeamAnchor Text and Link Placement
Write Descriptive Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable wording of a link. “Review the on-page SEO checklist” gives more context than “click here.” Keep it concise, natural and accurate. The surrounding sentence should explain why the resource is relevant.
Do not repeat exact-match keywords mechanically or attach several adjacent links to disconnected phrases. Write the explanation first and add the link where it belongs.
Use Crawlable Links
For ordinary article navigation, use an HTML anchor with an href pointing to the destination URL. A standard WordPress or Elementor text link normally creates this structure. A click-only script without a real destination is not a reliable substitute.
Link to the Intended Final URL
Prefer the current public URL rather than an old address that redirects. Check page moves, spelling and lesson numbers. A successful response alone is not enough: confirm that the destination contains the expected article.
No Universal Link Quota
There is no magic number of internal links per article. Add connections that help, then remove clutter or unrelated recommendations. A short answer may need fewer links than a broad guide.
A Practical Internal Linking Workflow
Choose a Hub Page
Select a useful overview or academy page that organizes a topic. Its job is to explain the subject and help readers choose a relevant next resource.
List Supporting Articles
Identify published pages that answer specific questions within the topic. Record planned articles separately; do not add public links to pages that do not exist.
Map Reader Connections
Record the source page, destination, proposed anchor text and reason for each link. Link between supporting articles when the reader has a relevant follow-up need.
Add Contextual Links
Place links in useful sentences or clearly labeled resource sections. Keep the wording natural and verify that each destination matches the promise.
Review Incoming Links
Find older pages where a new article provides useful detail. Add an appropriate incoming link so the article is reachable from the existing content.
Test and Record
Open the links on the public page, check mobile usability and record any broken or redirected destinations. Update the link map after page moves or removals.
For practice, plan three useful links. That is an exercise target, not an SEO requirement.
Worked Internal Link Plan
This example uses published MoneyOnliners lessons. Each connection serves a learning need; the table does not claim measured ranking improvements.
| Source | Destination | Suggested Anchor | Reader Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blogging Academy | Lesson 20 | On-Page SEO Basics | Reach the relevant lesson from the curriculum. |
| Lesson 19 | Lesson 18 | review the search-intent brief | Confirm the reader's task before drafting. |
| Lesson 20 | Lesson 21 | plan useful internal links | Continue from page-level editing to site connections. |
| Lesson 21 | Lesson 22 | Creating Helpful Content | Review the usefulness of the linked articles. |
Example Linked Sentence
Before adding links to a draft, review the on-page SEO basics to confirm that headings and page elements support the reader's task.
The linked words identify the resource and the sentence explains its purpose. Adapt anchor text to the actual destination; do not promise a checklist, template or result that the page does not provide.
Common Internal Linking Mistakes
Linking Unrelated Pages
A link should support the reader's current question. A high-priority page is not automatically relevant everywhere.
Vague Link Text
Replace generic wording with an accurate description of the destination.
Linking to Unpublished Plans
Keep future topics in your planning notes until useful public pages exist.
Ignoring Broken Destinations
Correct old addresses and removed pages. Verify the final content rather than only the status code.
Forcing a Link Quota
Do not insert repetitive links to reach a target count. Prioritize useful connections.
Forgetting Incoming Links
Review relevant older articles after publishing a new page so readers can find it.
Mini Case Studies
These hypothetical examples illustrate linking decisions.
Example 1: A Missing Route
A new tutorial appears in the sitemap but has no relevant incoming article link. The editor adds it to the topic overview and an older introduction where it answers a follow-up question.
Example 2: An Old Slug
A lesson link redirects through an outdated address. The editor updates the source to the current final URL and checks that the expected lesson opens.
Example 3: A Crowded Paragraph
A draft links almost every phrase. The writer keeps the most useful connections and moves optional reading into a clearly labeled resource section.
Your Internal Link Review
- Every proposed link serves a reader need.
- The destination is published and contains the expected content.
- Anchor text describes the destination naturally.
- The link uses a valid href and current URL.
- Important public articles have relevant incoming links.
- Broken destinations and unnecessary redirect chains are corrected.
- The page remains readable and usable on mobile.
Review links when publishing, moving or removing content. Use a crawl report when available to find missing connections, then inspect the pages yourself before editing.
Internal Links and Official Resources
Continue Learning on MoneyOnliners
Official Learning Resources
Use official guidance to check crawlable links and anchor text. Build connections around useful content and clear navigation.
Your Weekly Challenge
Build One Small Link Map
1. Choose one hub page and list up to five relevant supporting articles. Mark planned pages separately.
2. Plan three useful links with a source, destination, anchor text and reader benefit.
3. Add the appropriate links to published pages, review incoming connections and test every destination.
Reflection Questions
- What reader question does each proposed link answer?
- Does the anchor text match the destination?
- Which important article needs an incoming link?
- Which links are broken, redirected or unnecessary?
- What will you check after the next article is published?
Download the Lesson 21 Workbook
Use the Lesson 21 workbook to choose a hub page, list supporting posts and plan internal links. Add source URLs, destinations, anchor text and verification notes. Blogging Academy · Lesson 21 · Module 3: Creating Content That Ranks.
📘 Download Lesson 21 WorkbookFrequently Asked Questions
Review the main ideas before moving to the next lesson.
How many internal links should an article have?
There is no universal target. Add the links that help readers understand the topic or take a useful next step.
What is anchor text?
It is the clickable wording of a link. Describe the destination clearly and naturally.
What is an orphan page?
It is a page without incoming internal links. Review relevant ways to connect important public pages to the rest of the site.
Should every supporting post link to every other post?
No. Link where the connection helps the reader. A complete web of unrelated links creates clutter.
Does internal linking guarantee indexing or rankings?
No. It supports discovery and understanding, but search outcomes depend on other factors too.
What comes next?
Continue to Lesson 22: Creating Helpful Content.