7 Best Internal Linking Strategies to Boost Your SEO in 2024

Did you know that 51% of marketers say that they notice a growth in organic traffic and rankings within one to three months after starting to internally link their content properly?

That’s right. Internal links are the unsung heroes of SEO, quietly working behind the scenes to boost your site’s authority and user experience. 

But here’s the thing- many website owners are still missing out on this golden opportunity to improve their site’s SEO and climb the rankings.

Don’t worry, though! I’ve got you covered, with a few simple techniques and powerful SEO tools, you can have your internal links working for you how they should!

In this detailed SEO guide, we’ll explore my 7 best internal linking strategies that will take your SEO game to the next level in 2024. 

Ready to unlock the power of internal links? Let’s jump in!

What Are Internal Links and Why Do They Matter?

Internal links are the unsung heroes of SEO. They guide users, distribute authority, and help search engines understand your site’s structure. 

Mastering internal linking strategies is a key skill every site owner needs to have to see growth in their business. 

Internal links are simply hyperlinks that connect different pages on your website, hence the name ‘internal’. 

Sounds simple, right? Internal links are a powerful tool for both SEO and user experience and you need to look at both sides of the coin to understand why it is important. 

From an SEO perspective, these links are like signposts for search engines. They help Google and other search engines understand how your site is structured and which pages are most important. 

I remember when I first started using internal links strategically, it was like watching my site come alive in the search results.

But more than pleasing search engines, internal links are extremely helpful for your visitors too. 

They guide people to related content, keeping them engaged and on your site longer. I used to think visitors would naturally explore my site, but making it easy for them really pays off.

One of the coolest things about internal links is how they distribute what we call “link equity” or “link juice” as I like to call it. 

Basically, if you’ve got a popular page, linking from it to other pages on your site can give those pages a boost too, spreading the SEO love around your site.

I remember when I first did my internal linking properly, my bounce rate dropped, and people started spending more time on my site. 

It felt like I’d finally cracked some secret code.

The bottom line? Internal links matter way more than you might think as they actually make your site better for both search engines and readers. 

And isn’t that what we’re all aiming for?

Now, to really make the most of internal links, there are several elements that we need to chat about so let’s dive into those now.

1. Create a Robust Site Structure

Alright, let’s talk about creating a robust site structure. When I first started building my blog, I thought I could just throw up pages and Google would figure the rest out. 

Well, safe to say I was wrong. A logical site hierarchy is like the foundation of a house – get it right, and everything else falls into place.

Organizing your pages into clear categories and subcategories helps your visitors find what they’re looking for and gives search engines a better understanding of your site’s content.

Here’s a quick tip for organizing your content:

1. Start with broad categories
2. Break those down into more specific subcategories
3. Place individual pages or posts within these subcategories

For example, if you’re running a digital marketing blog, your structure might look something like this:

Certainly! Here’s the table with subcategories listed vertically:

Main Category	Subcategories
SEO	• On-page SEO
	• Technical SEO
	• Link building
Content Marketing	• Blogging
	• Social media
	• Email marketing

Now, let’s talk about “breadcrumbs”. I’m talking about those little navigation aids you see at the top of web pages. 

Here’s a good example from Yoast SEO showing the breadcrumb path to this page.

They’re like a trail of digital breadcrumbs showing visitors where they are on your site. I used to think they were just a fancy design element, but they’re very helpful for organizing your site.

But the tricky part comes from balancing depth and accessibility in your site structure. You want to create a structure that’s deep enough to categorize all your content logically, but not so deep that visitors need to click through ten pages to find what they’re looking for. 

I aim for no more than three clicks from the homepage to any piece of content.

A well-structured site isn’t just about organizing your content but rather it’s about creating a seamless user experience. 

When visitors can easily find what they’re looking for, they’re more likely to stick around and explore. And that, my friends, is what we’re all aiming for.

Now that we’ve got our site structure sorted, let’s dive into another strategy for organizing your content and improving your internal linking strategy.

2. Implement a Pillar-Cluster Content Model

Let’s talk about the pillar-cluster content strategy. When I first heard about this approach, it actually confused me quite a bit, but after using it for my content strategy, I realized it’s a powerful way to organize content and boost SEO.

The pillar-cluster model is like creating a content ecosystem. You’ve got your “pillar content” which is a comprehensive content piece that covers a broad topic.

Then you’ve got your cluster content which are more specific pieces that support and expand on aspects of the pillar topic.

Identifying pillar pages and cluster content takes some strategic thinking. Your pillar should be a broad topic that’s central to your niche or sub-niche and has a significant search volume. 

This is also referred to as a ‘link-bait’ post as it is a comprehensive content piece we can use to get backlinks to our site from similar sites in our niche that have authority, boosting our site’s SEO.

Let’s use an example in the health & fitness niche:

1. Choose broad keywords like ‘tips’, ‘ideas’, or ‘guides’.
2. Ensure topics have significant search volume
3. Create a pillar page for the main topic (e.g., “75 Weight Loss Tips For 2024”)
4. Develop cluster content for specific subtopics
   • High-Intensity Interval Training 
   • Meal Prep for Weight Loss
5. Link clusters back to the pillar page

When it comes to linking between pillars and clusters, there’s a bit of an art to it. Your pillar page should link to all its cluster content, naturally. 

But here’s where it gets interesting – you want to be strategic about how your cluster content links out.

You have three main types of content you will be writing for any given niche:

• Pillar content
• Informational 
• Transactional 

Your informational “how-to” articles should link to other related informational pieces. This helps create a web of knowledge that keeps readers engaged. 

But you also want these informational pieces to link to your “best of” or transactional content in that sub-niche. 

Why? Remember I mentioned “link juice” earlier? Well, it passes this to your money pages, potentially boosting their rankings.

For example, let’s say you have a cluster article on 

• “How to Choose Running Shoes For Beginners.” 

In that article, you might link to other informational pieces like:

• “Understanding Pronation” 
• “The Importance of Proper Arch Support.” 

But you’d also want to include a link to your “10 Best Running Shoes for Beginners” article. 

This strategy helps distribute page authority to your transactional content, which can be harder to naturally get backlinks for.

A good example of this in action is Moz.com with its pillar on “Beginner’s Guide to SEO.” 

It links out to several cluster topics, each diving deeper into specific aspects of SEO. Their cluster content, in turn, links back to the pillar and to related transactional content, creating a strong internal linking structure.

This model provides both a great user experience as well as pleasing search engines, allowing visitors to easily explore a topic from broad overview to specific details. 

It’s a win-win as far as SEO is concerned. 

Now that we’ve got our content organized in this strategic way, let’s dive into how we can make our internal links even more effective.

3. Use Contextual Links in Your Content

Alright, contextual linking. This is where the rubber really meets the road when it comes to internal linking. When I was new to this, I’d just slap links anywhere I could. Let’s just say, it wasn’t pretty.

Contextual links are all about natural, organic placement within your content. They’re like seasoning in a good dish – they should enhance the flavor, not overpower it. 

When done right, these links guide your readers to relevant information seamlessly, almost without them noticing.

Contextual links use “anchor text” which is the clickable text in a hyperlink, and it’s more important than you might think. 

Good anchor text gives a clear idea of what the linked page is about. But you need to strike a balance between being descriptive and staying natural.

I’ve found that mixing up your anchor text is key. You want some keyword-rich anchors, sure, but you also need branded anchors and natural language variations. 

For example, if I’m linking to a page about SEO tools, I might use anchors like “top SEO tools,” “our favorite optimization software,” or even just the brand name of a specific tool.

In the past, I would usually write “Read More” or something similar below my content and this saw much less engagement as it didn’t have any context to it and so was less effective.

Here’s a quick guideline I follow for anchor text mix:

Anchor Text Type	Recommended Percentage
Branded and URL	50%
Exact or Partial Match Keywords	20%
Generic or Natural Language	30%

Now, I should note that you shouldn’t get too hung up on percentages. The most important thing is that your links and anchor text feel natural in the context of your content.

It’s tempting to stuff your content with keyword-rich anchors, thinking it’ll boost your SEO. 

However, trust me, I’ve been there and it’s a recipe for disaster. Not only does it make your content sound robotic, but it can also trigger Google’s spam filters. 

Instead, focus on creating a natural flow in your content. If a link makes sense in the context of what you’re writing, include it. If it feels forced, leave it out. Your readers will thank you.

Remember, the goal here is to improve user experience while also sending the right signals to search engines. It’s a balancing act, for sure, but get it right, and you’ll see improvements in both engagement and rankings.

Now that we’ve got our contextual linking strategy sorted, let’s look at another crucial area for internal linking, your homepage.

4. Optimize Your Homepage Internal Linking

Your homepage is like Grand Central Station for your website. It’s often the first place visitors land, and it’s crucial for directing traffic to the right places. 

Think of it as your site’s link distribution hub.

Over time, I’ve learned some useful tactics for making the most of homepage linking. Here’s a list of best practices I swear by:

1. Prioritize key pages: Link to your most important product/service categories and top-performing content.
2. Use a logical hierarchy: Organize links in a way that makes sense to users, grouping related items together.
3. Balance promotional and navigational links: Mix in some “money pages” with your general navigation, but don’t go overboard.
4. Implement featured content sections: Use these for strategic linking to showcase your best content or timely offers.
5. Keep it clean: Don’t overdo it with links. Each one should earn its place on your homepage.
6. Update regularly: Refresh your featured content and promotional links to keep things current.
7. Think mobile: Ensure all links are easily clickable on smaller screens.
8. Use descriptive anchor text: Make it clear where each link leads.
9. Consider the fold: Place your most important links where they’re visible without scrolling.
10. Track and adjust: Use analytics tools to see which homepage links are getting clicked and adjust accordingly.

Remember, your homepage is prime real estate. Every link you include should serve a purpose, whether it’s guiding visitors to key information or showcasing your best offerings.

I’ve found that striking the right balance takes some trial and error. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different layouts and link strategies. 

Just keep a close eye on your analytics to see what’s working.

Now that we’ve got your homepage working hard for you, let’s look at another often-overlooked area for internal linking – your site’s footer.

5: Using Footer Links Effectively

I used to think of website footers as the awkward cousin at a family reunion – always there, but no one really knew what to do with them.

However, footer links are key for site-wide navigation. Think of them as the emergency exits of your website – always there when users need them. 

Let’s break down some best practices for organizing your footer links:

1. Group related links together
2. Use clear, descriptive labels
3. Keep it simple – don’t overwhelm users with too many options
4. Include links to important pages that might not fit in your main navigation
5. Consider using a multi-column layout for better organization

Now, let’s look at some key aspects of footer optimization:

Footer Element	SEO Impact	User Experience Impact
Site map link	Improves crawlability	Helps users find specific pages
Category Links	Distributes link equity	Provides quick navigation
Contact info	Boosts local SEO	Builds trust with users
Social media links	Increases brand visibility	Encourages social engagement

You need to strike a balance between SEO benefits and user experience but remember: what’s good for users is generally good for SEO too. 

Don’t stuff your footer with links just for the sake of SEO. Instead, focus on creating a footer that genuinely helps users navigate your site.

Remember, your footer is valuable real estate. Make every link count, both for your users and for your SEO. 

6. Create A “Related Posts” Section

Let’s talk about the “Related Posts” sections. When I first discovered this feature, it quickly became a key part of my internal linking strategy!

Related posts are like your website’s helpful librarian, always ready with another great read. They’re fantastic for boosting user engagement and SEO, creating natural internal links, and improving your site’s overall link structure.

Here is an example from my blog, where I have a section at the bottom of one of my articles for similar articles.

Now, you might be thinking, “Do I need to manually curate related posts for every article?” Good news – you don’t have to! There are plenty of tools and plugins that can automate this process.

Tools like Link Whisper use AI to suggest internal links as you write, saving time and catching opportunities. 

Conversely, the manual method gives you more control and accuracy. In my experience, a hybrid approach often works best.

Speaking of AI, have you seen some of the new AI-powered tools? They’re taking related post suggestions to a whole new level, analyzing content semantics for extremely accurate recommendations.

To optimize your related posts section:

1. Keep it relevant: Quality over quantity.
2. Use compelling thumbnails/ featured images and titles.
3. Place strategically: Usually right after your content.
4. Test different formats: Grids, carousels, or simple lists.
5. Include a mix of popular and newer content.

The goal is to keep users engaged and exploring your site. A well-optimized related posts section can significantly reduce bounce rates and increase page views.

Whether you’re team manual, team automated, or somewhere in between, using a related posts strategy that makes sense is a win-win for you and your SEO.

7. Conduct Regular Internal Link Audits

Internal linking audits might sound about as exciting as watching paint dry, but trust me, they’re something you don’t want to ignore for too long. 

I once had a client’s blog I was working on whose traffic suddenly tanked. We were scratching our heads until we ran an internal linking audit. 

Turns out, a recent site update had accidentally severed dozens of crucial internal links. It was like their site had digital amnesia, forgetting how its own pages connected. 

Lesson learned: never underestimate the power of a good audit.

Let’s break down some key aspects of internal linking audits:

Audit Element	Purpose	Tools
Broken Link Check	Identify and fix 404 errors	Screaming Frog, Ahrefs
Link Distribution	Ensure even spread of link juice	Google Search Console, SiteBulb
Anchor Text Analysis	Optimize anchor text variety	SEMrush, Moz Pro
Orphan Page Detection	Find unlinked content	ContentKing, Botify

Fixing broken or outdated links is more than housekeeping, it’s an opportunity to reassess your content strategy. 

Maybe that old link could now point to a more relevant, updated piece of content.

Here are some points to remember: 

• Think of link distribution analysis as making sure every important page on your site gets its fair share of attention
• It’s about preventing valuable content from becoming the wallflower at your website’s party
• Use performance data as your guide to spot which internal links are superstars and which are just taking up space
• Google Analytics is like having X-ray vision for your site’s internal linking structure – pretty handy!
• Take these insights and fine-tune your internal linking strategy to boost your overall SEO performance

Internal link audits are the compass that keeps your SEO strategy on course. With these tips, we’re ready to tie together all the internal linking techniques we’ve explored.

Final Thoughts 

And there you have it, folks! The 7 best internal linking strategies that I know of to skyrocket your SEO in 2024. 

By using these techniques, you’ll not only improve your site’s structure and user experience but also give search engines a clear roadmap to crawl and understand your content. 

Remember, internal linking isn’t just about throwing in random links – it’s about creating a strategic, interconnected web of valuable information that benefits both your visitors and your search rankings. 

So, what are you waiting for? 

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and start optimizing those internal links. Your future self (and your website’s traffic) will thank you!

Which strategy was your favorite?