When it comes to SEO, most people obsess over backlinks, keywords, and page speed. But there’s one underrated hero quietly working behind the scenes—internal links. Yep, those little links scattered across your website in the sidebar, footer, or under “also read” suggestions aren’t just for show—they actually play a major role in how well your site performs on search engines.
Whether you’re a blogger, digital marketer, or small business owner, understanding how internal links work (and using them smartly) can seriously boost your rankings, help users navigate better, and keep people glued to your site longer.
In this blog, we’ll break down internal links in simple terms, show you where they often hide, and explain how to turn them into powerful SEO tools—even the ones sitting quietly in your sidebar or footer.
What Are Internal Links?
Internal links are just links that go from one page to another within the same website. Think of them like little roads that connect different parts of your site, helping both users and search engines find their way around.
Simple Example:
Let’s say you’re reading a blog post on “What are the Best AI Tools For Content Writing “, and somewhere in that post, there’s a sentence like:
“If you’re looking for free AI tools here is the list of Best free AI Content Writing tools .”
That blue, clickable text (linking to your own WordPress guide) is an internal link—because it connects to another page on the same website.
In short, internal links help:
Readers discover more content
Google crawl and index your pages better
And guess what? Even your sidebar, footer, menu bar, or those “also read” suggestions count as internal links too! of
Types of Internal Links You Already Have (But Might Be Ignoring)
You might be surprised how many internal links are already sitting on your site, quietly doing their job—or not. These aren’t just fancy extras; they’re key players in how users move around your site and how Google crawls your pages. Let’s take a look at the common ones you probably already have:
🧭 Sidebar Navigation
That list of categories, recent posts, or blog tags sitting in your sidebar? Those are internal links. They help users jump into related content and keep the flow going.
📚 Related Post Widgets (“Also Read”)
You’ve seen those little suggestions at the end or middle of a blog post—“also read this” or “you may like.” These are perfect for keeping users engaged and reducing bounce rates.
🦶 Footer Links
Often overlooked, your footer likely has links to your About page, Contact page, or Privacy Policy. If you’re smart, you can also add high-converting service pages or blog categories here to quietly boost traffic.
✍️ In-Content Hyperlinks
These are links placed naturally within the body of your text. For example, when you mention another blog post and link to it directly within your paragraph—this is one of the most powerful forms of internal linking.
📂 Menu & Breadcrumb Links
Your website’s main menu and breadcrumbs (like Home > Blog > SEO Tips) also count. They provide structure and help both users and search engines figure out where they are and where to go next
Why They Matter for SEO
Internal links aren’t just for making your site look organized—they’re a core part of good SEO. When used strategically, they can help your site rank higher, keep users around longer, and even give a boost to your most important pages. Here’s how:
🕷️ Better Crawlability
Search engines like Google use bots to “crawl” your website. Internal links act like signposts, helping these bots discover and index more pages. If a page isn’t linked internally, it might as well be invisible to Google.
👨💻 Improved User Experience
Internal links guide visitors to more helpful or relevant content. When users find it easy to navigate your site, they’re more likely to stick around, explore, and eventually convert—whether that’s signing up, buying, or contacting you.
🚀 Boost Page Authority for Important Pages
Not every page on your site gets the same traffic or authority. By linking to key pages (like your services, landing pages, or money blogs) from other well-performing pages, you pass on some of that “SEO juice” and help them rank better.
📉 Reduced Bounce Rate
When users click on internal links and visit more pages, it sends a positive signal to search engines. A lower bounce rate often means people are finding what they need—and Google loves that
Common Mistakes with Internal Linking
While internal linking is powerful, it’s easy to go overboard or make simple mistakes that could hurt more than help. Here are a few common slip-ups you’ll want to avoid:
🔁 Linking Too Many Times to the Same Page
Yes, linking to your key pages is smart—but not 10 times from a single blog post. Overdoing it looks spammy to both users and search engines. One or two well-placed links are enough to get the job done.
❌ Using Non-Descriptive Anchor Text like “Click Here”
“Click here” or “read more” tells search engines nothing about the page you’re linking to. Use anchor text that includes relevant keywords so Google understands the context—like “learn more about on-page SEO” instead of just “click here.”
🏗️ Not Updating Links During Redesigns
When you revamp your site or change URLs, old internal links can break. A broken link means lost traffic and frustrated users. Always double-check and update your internal links during a website redesign or migration.
How to Make the Most of Your Sidebar & Footer Links
Your sidebar and footer might seem like afterthoughts, but they’re actually prime real estate for internal linking. With a little strategy, these sections can boost your SEO and keep visitors engaged. Here’s how to get the most out of them:
🌟 Highlight Top-Performing Content
Use your sidebar to showcase your most-read blogs or highest-traffic posts. These links not only keep people clicking, but they also pass more internal link equity to pages that are already doing well—helping them rank even higher.
🎯 Prioritize Conversion Pages (Contact, Services)
Got a service page, consultation form, or free download? Link to it from your footer. People often scroll to the bottom looking for direction—make sure they find your key money pages there.
🔑 Use Keywords in Anchor Text Wisely
Whether in your footer or sidebar, don’t just say “read more” or “our services.” Use anchor text like “SEO services in Hyderabad” or “affordable web design packages”. It helps search engines understand the topic of the linked page and improves your on-site SEO.
Bonus Tip: Use SEO Tools to Audit Your Internal Links
Want to see how well your internal links are actually working? Use tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to audit your internal linking structure. These tools show you:
Which pages have the most (or least) internal links
Whether you have broken internal links
If you’re using the same anchor text too often
How your link equity is being distributed
Doing a quick audit can help you spot missed opportunities—like orphan pages (pages with no internal links) or important content buried too deep in your site structure
Conclusion of What and Why Internal Links?
Internal links might not be the flashiest part of SEO, but they’re one of the most powerful tools in your toolkit. From sidebar suggestions to footer links and in-content anchors, every internal link is a chance to guide your visitors, strengthen your site’s structure, and give your SEO a real boost.
So don’t treat your sidebar and footer like digital junk drawers—turn them into strategic spaces that support your most important content.
👉 Want help building a smart internal linking strategy for your website? Or looking to level up your SEO game from the ground up?
FAQ
1. What is the difference between internal and external links?
Internal links point to pages within the same website, while external links lead to pages on different websites. Internal links help search engines understand your site structure and improve SEO, whereas external links can help with authority and relevance.
2. How many internal links should I use in a blog post?
There’s no set rule, but using 3-5 internal links within a blog post is a good start. Just make sure the links are relevant and helpful to the reader, and avoid overstuffing.
3. Can too many internal links hurt my SEO?
Yes, overusing internal links can make your content feel spammy. Stick to a natural flow and only link to content that adds valueto the user experience.
4. How do internal links help with page authority?
Internal links pass “link equity” or “SEO juice” from one page to another. By linking to important pages within your site you can boost their authority and improve their chances of ranking higher in search results.
5. Do internal links affect user experience?
Absolutely! Internal links make it easier for users to navigate your website and find more relevant content, which can keep them engaged longer and reduce bounce rates.
6. How do I fix broken internal links?
You can use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs to identify and fix broken internal links on your site by updating them with correct URLs or removing them altogether.
7. Should I use the same anchor text for multiple links?
Avoid using the same anchor text for every link. Vary your anchor text to include relevant keywords, but keep it natural. Using the same text repeatedly can make it seem like keyword stuffing.
