When I first started building websites, I thought internal links were just... nice to have. Like garnish on a plate. Decorative. Optional.
Then I watched a single strategic internal linking overhaul take a client's blog from "we get some traffic I guess" to ranking on page one for fifteen competitive keywords within three months. Same content. Same domain authority. Just smarter connections between pages.
The Three Powers of Internal Link Structure
- Link Equity Distribution: Pass SEO value from strong pages to weaker ones
- Crawlable Site Architecture: Help Google discover and understand your content
- Topic Cluster Linking: Signal comprehensive expertise to search engines
Unlock the full potential of your website with our expert tips on internal linking for Oregon SEO! In this must-watch video, we reveal five powerful strategies to elevate your site’s rankings and enhance your SEO game. Learn how to craft pillar pages centered around essential topics, and create engaging cluster posts that link back to them. Discover the importance of including 35 contextual internal links in every article using descriptive anchor text to boost visibility. We'll guide you on linking new content from your highest-traffic older posts to maximize your reach. Plus, find out how to conduct quarterly crawls to fix broken links and maintain a healthy internal linking structure. If you’re ready to transform your site's SEO and tap into new levels of success in Oregon, don’t miss these invaluable insights. Click play and start optimizing your internal linking strategy today!
Video Transcript
Struggling with your site's SEO?
Internal linking is the secret weapon
you need. Stay tuned for five quick tips
to leverage internal linking for better
rankings in Oregon. First, create pillar
pages around core topics. Then, build
related cluster posts linking to them.
Next, include 35 contextual internal
links in every article using descriptive
anchor text. When you publish new
content, link it immediately from
hightraic older posts. Boost visibility.
Finally, run a quarterly crawl to repair
broken links and check your internal
linking structure. Want to discover the
missing piece to unlock your site's
potential? Check our link in bio.
How to Build an Internal Link Structure That Works
Step 1: Audit Your Current Internal Linking
Use Screaming Frog or Ahrefs Site Audit to identify orphan pages (pages with zero internal links), pages with excessive links, and broken internal links.
Step 2: Create Topic Clusters
Build a pillar page (comprehensive guide) with cluster content (specific subtopics). Every cluster post links to the pillar. The pillar links to every cluster. Clusters link to related clusters.
Step 3: Use Contextual Internal Links
Navigation links are fine, but contextual links (within your actual content) carry more SEO weight because they signal genuine topical relationships.
Anchor Text Best Practices
✅ "Learn about site navigation links" (descriptive, keyword-rich)
❌ "Click here" or "read more" (tells Google nothing)
150-300%
Traffic increases we've seen through strategic internal linking alone—no new content required
Common Internal Linking Mistakes
❌ Only linking in navigation, never in content
Your header menu links to main pages, but contextual links carry more SEO weight.
✓ Add 3-5 contextual internal links to every blog post.
❌ Letting orphan pages languish
Great content that's functionally invisible because nothing links to it.
✓ Run a crawl, identify orphans, add 3-5 internal links to each one.
❌ Using terrible anchor text
"Click here" and "read more" tell Google nothing about the linked page.
✓ Use descriptive anchor text: "Learn how to build topic clusters for SEO"
Key Questions from "Internal Linking Oregon SEO"
What is internal linking and why is it important for SEO in Oregon?
Internal linking refers to the practice of linking to other pages within the same website. It's important for SEO in Oregon because it helps search engines understand the structure of your website and the relationship between pages, enhancing your site's visibility and rankings. By strategically placing internal links, you can guide users to your most valuable content while distributing page authority across your site.
How do I create pillar pages for better internal linking?
To create pillar pages, identify core topics relevant to your audience and your business. These pages should provide comprehensive information about that topic and link to related cluster content. For instance, if your core topic is 'Oregon Travel', your pillar page could cover all aspects of travel in Oregon, while linking to posts about each specific destination, creating a robust internal linking structure.
When should I add internal links to my content?
You should incorporate internal links as soon as you publish new content. Linking immediately from high-traffic older posts to your new article boosts its visibility and helps both users and search engines discover your content more quickly. This tactic increases the likelihood that your new post will perform better in search results.
What is the recommended number of internal links to include in an article?
It's recommended to include about 35 contextual internal links within each article. This number can vary based on the length and content of your article, but including multiple internal links enriches the reader's experience and strengthens your SEO by signaling to search engines that your content is well-connected.
Who can benefit from effective internal linking strategies in Oregon?
Businesses, bloggers, and website owners in Oregon can greatly benefit from effective internal linking strategies. By enhancing your site's internal linking structure, you can improve your SEO rankings, drive more traffic, and ultimately increase conversions. Anyone looking to improve their online presence will find value in mastering internal linking.
Why should I run a quarterly crawl for internal links?
Running a quarterly crawl helps identify broken links and assess the effectiveness of your internal linking structure. Regularly checking for errors ensures that all links direct users to the right pages, preventing a poor user experience and negatively impacting your SEO. It keeps your site healthy and optimized for better search engine performance.
How can descriptive anchor text improve my internal linking strategy?
Using descriptive anchor text for internal links boosts your SEO by providing context about the linked page. Instead of generic phrases like 'click here', use specific keywords related to the target page. This not only aids search engines in understanding the content of the linked page but also encourages users to click on links that are clear and relevant.
What role do cluster posts play in a robust internal linking strategy?
Cluster posts are supportive articles that revolve around a central topic page, or 'pillar page'. They enrich your site's content and reinforce the relevance of the pillar. By linking cluster posts back to the pillar, you create a network of related information, helping search engines see the thematic relevance and improving your overall site authority.
Key Takeaways
- Turn each core topic into a pillar page plus related cluster posts, and interlink them in both directions
- Add 3-5 contextual internal links in every article using natural, descriptive anchor text
- Find and fix orphan pages by adding links to them from 3-5 relevant, existing posts
- When publishing new content, immediately add links to it from high-traffic, related older posts
- Run a quarterly crawl to repair broken internal links and adjust link structure