What Is Interlinking & How To Use It To Improve Landing Page Rankings

Have you ever clicked on a blog and found yourself hopping from one page to another, like a perfectly planned scavenger hunt? You just answer the question about what is interlinking> This is one example of interlinking at work! It’s the glue that keeps readers engaged, guides them to key pages, and tells search engines, “Hey, this site is organized and valuable.”

When I first started optimizing websites, I didn’t pay much attention to interlinking. I thought, “Why bother linking one page to another when my content is already great?” I was wrong. Once I started intentionally interlinking, my clients’ traffic tripped, bounce rates dropped, and even their rankings improved. Let’s dive into what interlinking is, why it matters, and how you can use it to level up your SEO game.

What Is Interlinking?

Interlinking is exactly what it sounds like: linking one page on your website to another. It creates a web of connections that helps visitors and search engines navigate your site. Think of it as the map that guides people—and Google bots—through your content.

Not all links are the same, though. Internal links keep users within your site, unlike external links, which take them to other websites. For example, if this blog links to another article I wrote about how my client rank 1st page on Google in four weeks, that’s interlinking in action. It encourages readers to dive deeper while boosting SEO value for both pages.

Why Is Interlinking Important for SEO?

When I first learned about interlinking, it felt like just another box to tick on my SEO to-do list. But the more I used it, the more I realized how powerful it is.

• Helps Search Engines Understand Your Site

Interlinking gives search engines a clear picture of your site’s structure. Imagine trying to read a book with no chapters or index—it’s chaotic, right? That’s how Google feels about unlinked pages. When you interlink, you’re essentially showing search engines how your content connects, making it easier to crawl and index your site.

• Passes Link Equity

Think of link equity as SEO “juice.” High-value pages can pass some of that authority to other pages through interlinking. For instance, if your homepage has strong rankings, linking it to a new blog post can help boost that post’s visibility.

• Improves User Experience

Ever clicked on a blog and found the exact answers you were looking for, plus a bonus resource or two? That’s interlinking done right. It keeps readers engaged, reduces bounce rates, and builds trust in your site as a valuable resource.

What are The Different Types of Interlinking

Not all links are created equal. Let me break down the different types:

Navigational Links: These are your website's backbone. Think menus and footers that help people find major sections quickly.

Contextual Links: My personal favorite. These are links embedded naturally within your content, like when I'm discussing SEO and casually link to another relevant article about content strategy.

Taxonomy Links: These connect content by categories or tags. If you're writing about cooking, a link from a "pasta" article to other "Italian cuisine" posts makes total sense.

Call-to-Action Links: These guide readers to take specific actions, like downloading a resource or checking out a related service.

How Does Interlinking Impact SEO and Website Rankings?

Interlinking has been a cornerstone of my SEO for coaches strategy that keeps my cleints' websites ranking high on Google for months. Here’s why:

Enhancing Site Navigation

Good interlinking is like being an awesome tour guide. You're not just throwing information at people; you're helping them discover exactly what they need.

User Engagement

When readers can easily hop from one relevant article to another, they stick around longer. Lower bounce rates? Check. More time on site? Double-check.

Traffic Funneling

Strategic links can guide visitors through a journey. Maybe they start on a beginner's guide and end up on your premium service page. Smooth, right?

Content Hierarchy

Interlinking helps establish which content is most important. By linking more often to cornerstone articles, you're basically telling search engines, "Hey, this content is super valuable!"

How to Create an Effective Interlinking Strategy

Here’s where it gets fun (and a little nerdy). Building a strong interlinking strategy is like crafting a treasure map—you’re leading readers from one valuable resource to the next.

• Audit Your Site: Start by identifying pages that need more links. Use tools like Ahrefs or grab my free website audit to help you find orphaned pages (those with no internal links). These pages might have great content but are essentially invisible without links. 

• Use Descriptive Anchor Text: Anchor text is the clickable part of a link. Instead of writing “click here,” use descriptive phrases like “Learn how to optimize your coaching website.” This helps both readers and search engines understand what the linked page is about.

• Focus on High-Value Pages: Link to pages that matter most—your service pages, cornerstone blogs, or free resource downloads. These are the pages that drive conversions, so make sure they’re easy to find.

• Be Natural: Don’t force links just for the sake of it. They should flow naturally within the context of your content.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Interlinking

I’ve made my fair share of interlinking mistakes, so let me save you some trouble:

• Overloading Links

  Too many links can overwhelm readers and dilute their impact. Stick to 3-5 internal links per blog post.

• Using Generic Anchor Text

  “Click here” doesn’t cut it. Be specific about where the link is taking readers.

• Linking to Irrelevant Pages

  Make sure your links are contextually relevant. Linking a blog about confidence coaching to a service page about productivity tools feels disjointed.

• Ignoring Broken Links

  Nothing kills trust faster than a 404 error. Regularly check your site for broken links and fix them ASAP.

Real-Life Example of Effective Interlinking

One of my clients, a career coach, saw her traffic double in just three months by implementing an interlinking strategy. We linked her free coaching call to one of her high-ranking blogs. The result? More time spent on her site, more inquiries, and a better user experience for her readers.

Best Practices for Interlinking

• Limit the number of links per page to ensure readability.

• Link to recent or updated content to keep your site fresh.

• Create a sitemap to help search engines crawl and index your pages effectively.

FAQs About What Is Interlinking

What is the difference between backlink and internal link?

Backlinks are links from one website to another, like an endorsement. Internal links, on the other hand, stay within your site, creating a cohesive structure. Both are essential for SEO but serve different purposes: backlinks build authority, while internal links enhance navigation and engagement.

How many internal links should a page have?

Conclusion

Interlinking isn’t just a technical SEO tactic—it’s a way to create a better experience for your audience and maximize your website’s potential. By connecting your content strategically, you can improve rankings, boost traffic, and keep visitors engaged.

Ready to implement interlinking on your site? Start by auditing your current links and adding relevant connections to guide users to their next step.