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Internal linking is one of the most effective on-page SEO strategies that can enhance website structure, improve crawlability, and boost the ranking potential of target pages. By strategically linking relevant pages within a website, you can help search engines understand the context of your content and distribute link equity effectively. However, simply adding random internal links won’t yield optimal results. Instead, it’s crucial to find near-relevant pages that can provide meaningful context and enhance the user experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore methods to identify near-relevant pages, best practices for internal linking, and the impact of a well-structured internal linking strategy on SEO performance.
What Are Near-Relevant Pages?
Near-relevant pages are existing pages on your website that share a strong topical connection with a specific target page. These pages contain content that either complements or overlaps with the subject matter of the page you aim to improve. In SEO, leveraging near-relevant pages for internal linking is a strategic approach that enhances both user experience and search engine optimization (SEO).
When internal links are placed between these pages, they help search engines understand the thematic relationship between different sections of a website. This practice not only improves the ranking potential of the target page but also ensures users can easily navigate through related content. A well-structured internal linking strategy that utilizes near-relevant pages can significantly boost your site’s authority and search visibility.
Benefits of Finding Near-Relevant Pages for Internal Linking
1. Improved User Experience
Users visiting a website expect a seamless navigation experience. When near-relevant pages are interlinked effectively, visitors can effortlessly move between topics that interest them. This provides them with a more enriching experience by allowing them to dive deeper into the subject without manually searching for more information. By guiding users toward additional resources, you increase engagement and satisfaction, ultimately strengthening your brand’s credibility.
2. Enhanced SEO Value
Search engines assess the quality and relevance of a website’s content based on its internal linking structure. Near-relevant pages contribute to better distribution of page authority (commonly referred to as link juice) across your website. When you link from a high-authority page to a target page, you transfer some of that authority, increasing the chances of the target page ranking higher in search results. This helps in reinforcing the thematic relevance of your content, allowing search engines to better categorize and rank it accordingly.
3. Better Indexation
Search engine crawlers navigate websites through internal and external links. Pages with fewer internal links or that are not directly linked from important sections of a website may not be indexed efficiently. Near-relevant pages, when strategically interlinked, ensure that all significant pages receive proper crawl attention. This leads to improved indexation, reducing the chances of important content remaining undiscovered by search engines.
4. Higher Engagement & Reduced Bounce Rate
A high bounce rate occurs when visitors leave a site without engaging further. By directing users to additional relevant content through internal links, you encourage them to explore more pages. This increases session duration and reduces bounce rates, sending positive signals to search engines about the quality and relevance of your content. The more time users spend engaging with your website, the higher the likelihood of conversions and repeat visits.
5. Improved Thematic Relevance
Search engines favor websites with strong topical relevance. If a website has multiple interlinked pages covering similar topics in depth, it signals authority on that subject. For example, a blog on “content marketing strategies” that links to near-relevant pages about “SEO in content marketing,” “blog post optimization techniques,” and “social media content strategies” creates a tightly-knit web of related topics. This strengthens the website’s topical authority, increasing the chances of ranking for broader keyword clusters.
How to Identify Near-Relevant Pages for Internal Linking
Now that we understand the benefits of utilizing near-relevant pages, let’s explore the methods to identify them effectively:
1. Use Google’s Site Search Operator
Google’s advanced search operators are a powerful way to locate relevant pages within your own website. To find pages related to a specific topic, you can use the following search command directly in Google:
site:yourwebsite.com “keyword or topic related to target page”
For example, if your target page discusses “content marketing strategies,” you can search:
site:yourwebsite.com “content marketing”
This command will return a list of pages from your website that contain the specified keyword or closely related terms. By reviewing these results, you can identify potential internal linking opportunities where relevant content overlaps.
2. Leverage Google Search Console (GSC)
Google Search Console is an invaluable tool for internal linking analysis. It provides insights into which pages are already linking internally and how frequently they appear in search results. Here’s how you can use GSC to identify near-relevant pages:
- Log into Google Search Console and navigate to the Links section.
- Click on Internal Links to view pages with the highest number of internal links.
- Identify pages that have a strong internal link profile and determine if they contain content related to your target page.
- If a highly linked page shares thematic relevance with your target page, consider adding internal links to further reinforce connections.
3. Analyze Website Structure Using Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a robust website crawling tool that helps analyze internal linking structures and find near-relevant pages. To use Screaming Frog effectively:
- Run a full crawl of your website using the tool.
- Use the search function to locate pages containing specific keywords related to your target topic.
- Analyze the internal link distribution report to identify pages that already contain links pointing to the target page.
- Assess anchor texts used in internal links to ensure they align with the targeted keywords and improve contextual relevance.
Screaming Frog allows you to visualize the internal linking structure, making it easier to pinpoint gaps where additional links could improve navigation and SEO performance.
4. Review Website’s Content Hierarchy
If your website follows a well-organized content structure, such as topic clusters or pillar pages, identifying related subtopics for internal linking becomes easier:
- Pillar Pages – If your target page is a subtopic, find the main pillar page and interlink accordingly.
- Cluster Content – If your target page is a pillar page, link to all supporting subtopics.
- Related Blogs – Identify articles that touch on similar subjects and create contextually relevant internal links.
5. Use Internal Search Data
Analyzing internal search queries on your site can provide insights into what users are actively looking for. If users frequently search for a topic related to your target page, you should:
- Identify existing content that ranks for those queries.
- Ensure internal links connect these pages to your target page.
- Enhance user experience by making relevant content more accessible through strategic interlinking.
6. Check Google Analytics Data
Google Analytics is an excellent tool for identifying high-performing pages with strong user engagement. Linking from these pages to your target page can significantly boost its authority. To find these pages:
- Navigate to Behavior > Site Content > All Pages within Google Analytics.
- Sort pages by Pageviews or Average Time on Page to identify high-traffic, engaging content.
- Select pages with relevant content and strong user engagement.
- Add internal links to your target page from these high-performing pages to enhance visibility and authority.
7. Analyze Competitor Internal Linking Strategies
Studying how competitors structure their internal links can provide valuable inspiration for improving your own strategy. Use SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze competitor internal linking:
- Enter a competitor’s domain and review their internal link structure.
- Identify which pages they frequently link together.
- Replicate or enhance their strategy by implementing similar links within your own content.
Best Practices for Internal Linking Using Near-Relevant Pages
1. Use Descriptive and Natural Anchor Texts
Anchor text plays a crucial role in internal linking. Instead of using generic phrases like “click here” or “read more,” opt for anchor text that clearly describes the linked content. For example, if linking to a blog about email marketing, use anchor text like “effective email marketing strategies.” This practice enhances user experience, improves accessibility, and strengthens the contextual relevance for search engines.
2. Prioritize High-Authority Pages for Internal Links
When selecting pages for internal linking, prioritize those with high authority, such as pages with strong backlink profiles or high organic traffic. Linking from these pages helps distribute link equity (or “link juice”) across your site, boosting the ranking potential of the target page. Tools like Ahrefs or Moz can help identify high-authority pages within your website.
3. Ensure Links are Contextually Relevant
Internal links should seamlessly integrate into the content. They should provide additional information or resources that naturally fit within the topic. Forced or irrelevant internal links can disrupt the user experience and may be ignored by search engines. For example, if your page discusses SEO strategies, linking to a related page about “on-page SEO techniques” would be more beneficial than linking to an unrelated service page.
4. Avoid Overloading a Page with Links
While internal linking is beneficial, excessive links on a single page can dilute their value and overwhelm users. Instead of stuffing a page with links, focus on quality over quantity. Ensure each link adds value by guiding users to relevant content that enhances their journey on your site. A good rule of thumb is to keep internal links per page between 3-10, depending on the content length.
5. Use a Logical Site Architecture
A well-structured website makes internal linking more effective. Implement a clear content hierarchy using topic clusters and silo structures:
- Pillar Pages: Broad, comprehensive guides covering core topics.
- Cluster Content: Supporting pages that delve into subtopics and interlink with the pillar page.
- Related Blogs: Additional articles that supplement the topic and reinforce thematic relevance.
Organizing content in this way helps both search engines and users navigate the site efficiently, improving content discoverability and ranking potential.
6. Update Old Content with New Internal Links
Your older content remains valuable, and periodically updating it with internal links to newer, relevant content keeps it fresh. This practice enhances user engagement, increases page views, and helps search engines recognize the continued relevance of older pages. Conduct regular content audits to identify internal linking opportunities in older posts.
7. Use Breadcrumbs for Enhanced Navigation
Breadcrumbs are navigational aids that show users their location within the site hierarchy. They improve the user experience by making navigation easier and also enhance SEO by reinforcing the site’s structure. Implementing breadcrumbs can:
- Reduce bounce rates by providing easy navigation paths.
- Strengthen internal linking.
- Help search engines understand site structure.
8. Monitor Internal Link Performance
To ensure your internal linking strategy is effective, track performance using tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog. These tools provide insights into:
- The number of internal links pointing to each page.
- The distribution of link equity across your site.
- The effectiveness of internal links in boosting traffic and rankings.
Regularly analyzing internal linking performance allows you to make data-driven improvements and refine your strategy for optimal results.
By following these best practices, you can create an effective internal linking strategy that enhances SEO, improves user experience, and strengthens your site’s authority.
How We Do It At ThatWare?
Find out the nearest relevant pages for creating incoming internal links to the target page
Step 1: Go to the following website: https://seo.ai/tools/internal-linking-tool
Step 2: Provide Target keywords, Target URL, and Region
Step 3: Need to wait 2 mins to get the list of incoming internal linking opportunities, and also text areas for creating internal links on the target anchor and page.
Step 4: create internal links on the suggested pages,
Target page: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/contact-lenses/
Source page: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/contact-lenses/biomedics-1-day-extra
Source page: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/contact-lenses/comfi-daily-disposable-5-pack
Source page: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/contact-lenses/comfi-colors-crazy-smiley-monthly
Source page: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/contact-lenses/air-optix-color
Source page:
Source: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/contact-lenses/comfi-colors-crazy-whiteout-1-day
Source: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/contact-lenses/myday-contact-lenses
Conclusion
Finding near-relevant pages for internal linking is a crucial step in optimizing a website’s SEO and user experience. By leveraging Google’s site search, Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and internal analytics, you can identify the best linking opportunities that align with your target page. Implementing a strategic internal linking approach ensures better crawlability, improved rankings, and enhanced user engagement.
A well-planned internal linking strategy doesn’t just help with SEO—it also creates a seamless browsing experience that keeps visitors engaged, informed, and more likely to convert. So start auditing your website today and make the most of your internal linking potential!
Thatware | Founder & CEO
Tuhin is recognized across the globe for his vision to revolutionize digital transformation industry with the help of cutting-edge technology. He won bronze for India at the Stevie Awards USA as well as winning the India Business Awards, India Technology Award, Top 100 influential tech leaders from Analytics Insights, Clutch Global Front runner in digital marketing, founder of the fastest growing company in Asia by The CEO Magazine and is a TEDx speaker and BrightonSEO speaker.
