An internal link is a link that goes to another page or file on the same website or domain. It can go to text, an image, or a file that is part of the same site. This type of link helps users open other pages on the same site.

An internal link is not the same as an external link. An external link takes the user to a different website or domain. An internal link stays on the same domain. Both links help users move to other pages or content.

Some links appear internal but act like external links. This happens when a website uses more than one domain. For example, one domain is for products and another is for checkout. Both are from the same brand but still have different links.

Websites use internal links to allow users to open multiple pages in one place. If a website has many pages, it needs internal links. These links also help search engines scan and rank websites better.

In this guide, we will discuss the main differences between internal links and external links.

So let’s dive in.

What Are External Links?

You can use external links in many ways, but the most common use is to show where you got your facts or ideas from. When you write a blog and add factual information, it is a good idea to indicate where the information came from.

When you add a source, make sure that the site is credible. This helps ensure that your information is accurate and safe. Be careful about what you put on your site, as readers check this to assess the quality of your content.

If your information is not accurate or credible, people will not stay. Therefore, for every fact you add, you should provide a source for it.

External links work best if you use credible sites, such as those that end in .gov or .edu. These sites often have information based on research or strong data.

Many site owners are wary of linking to other sites because they think people will leave their site. You can fix this by opening the link in a new tab.

Search engines like Google also care about your external links. They check the pages you link to. If you link to strong, reliable sites, it tells search engines that your site also has good and smart content.

What Are Internal Links?

Internal links help connect all of your website pages. They help create a neat and simple site. These links can be text, images, videos, or other things you see on the site.

Linking Pages in Your Site

Internal links help your site in three ways. First, they guide people to pages that match what they are currently reading. This allows you to help them find more information and explore your site.

If you take users to the right places, they get what they want or take the action you want them to take. So, internal links help you give your users a path. The more pages they visit, the more time they spend on your site. This is good for your site’s statistics.

If people can navigate around your site without difficulty, it means that your site is easy to use.

Spread Link Authority

Link power, or link juice, circulates through internal links. If one page (Page X) gets a backlink, it gains some power from another site.

If Page X has link juice, you can use internal links to pass that power to other pages. This can help those pages rank better in search engines.

Allow Crawling

Another use of internal links is to help search engines see more of your pages. These links show search engines what your site is about and how it is structured.

Also, internal links help you make better use of your crawl budget. If crawlers follow your links well, they stay on your site longer and understand your content better. This helps them find and index your pages faster.

Why Internal Links Are Essential for SEO

We’re big fans of internal linking – you’ve probably seen it on our site and blogs. That’s because internal links play a powerful role in a website’s SEO success. Here’s why they’re important:

Site Structure:

Internal links shape how your website is structured. When you link your content well, it’s easier for search engines like Google to crawl and index your pages. The more organized your links are, the faster Google can understand your site, leading to faster indexing and improved rankings in search results.

Ranking Power Spreads:

When one of your web pages links to another, it shares some of its authority. That boost helps the linked page gain more visibility in search results. So, with strategic internal linking, your content supports itself and increases the ranking power of your entire site.

User Experience:

Internal links guide your visitors through your site. They make it easier for people to explore more pages, discover more blogs, and learn about what you offer. This keeps users engaged, helps them find what they’re looking for, and makes them more likely to become customers. With better navigation, you provide a smoother, more useful experience and that can drive more leads and sales.

Why You Need External Links for SEO

External links especially backlinks where other sites point to you can give your SEO a big boost. These links not only increase your domain authority but also send valuable traffic, leads and sales. Here’s how they help:

Build Your Online Reputation:

Search engines want to show users the best answers. They look for sites that are trustworthy, well-known and have lots of backlinks. If other trusted websites link to you, Google sees your content as valuable, which helps you appear higher in search results.

Provide Referral Traffic:

A link from a top blog or trusted site can drive real users to your pages. If a blog mentions your product or you share an article as a guest author, their audience may click through to learn more about you. That’s direct, qualified traffic.

Build Relationships And Your Brand:

External linking helps you connect with others in your industry and grow your name. As more people see your helpful content, they start to see you as a thought leader. That brings more backlinks your way – and starts a positive growth loop.

Improve Credibility:

External links from strong, relevant domains increase your site’s trust factor. When reputable websites link to your content, Google sees your business as more credible – and that improves your authority in your niche or industry.

In short, the more credible sites that link to you, the higher your chances of climbing the SERPs. Now that you know how internal and external links affect your site, it’s time to take action.