Internal linking stands as one of the most powerful yet underused tools in your SEO arsenal.

Many website owners watch their awesome content disappear into the void, never to be seen again. Strategic internal linking solves this problem effectively.

This guide breaks down 15 different types of internal links that will transform your site’s performance. You’ll discover real examples and practical tips for each type, ready for immediate implementation.

Internal links function as hyperlinks that connect one page on your website to another page on the same website. These clickable pathways guide both visitors and search engines through your digital ecosystem.

Think of your website as a city. Roads must connect all areas properly (internal links) or visitors become lost and exit quickly.

Internal links matter because they:

  • Signal to Google which pages hold the most value
  • Distribute SEO authority to pages requiring visibility
  • Extend visitor engagement time on your site
  • Create logical paths toward conversion

Want your site to rank well and convert visitors? Implement a strong internal linking strategy as your foundation.

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Let’s break down the different types of internal links you can use to supercharge your site. Feel free to mix and match these based on what makes sense for your content and audience.

Contextual links serve as the foundation of internal linking – hyperlinks placed naturally within your content. These links flow with the text and deliver additional value to readers seeking more information on specific topics.

Example: “Complete proper keyword research to identify your target audience before launching your campaign.”

Best practices:

  • Create descriptive anchor text that clearly communicates destination content
  • Connect to genuinely relevant content that enhances user knowledge
  • Position strategic links early in content to promote deeper site exploration
  • Diversify anchor text for natural reading flow and SEO benefits

Main menu navigation serves as a powerful signal to both users and search engines about priority content on your site.

Example: Persistent links in header navigation (Home, Services, About, Blog, Contact)

Best practices:

  • Craft clear, user-friendly labels
  • Structure links in logical hierarchical order
  • Position essential pages first (left to right, top to bottom)
  • Select HTML links over JavaScript when possible for better crawlability

Breadcrumbs provide essential navigation assistance when users need to backtrack from deep site locations. These trail indicators show precise location context:

Example: Home > Blog > SEO Tips > Internal Linking Guide

Best practices:

  • Maintain consistent breadcrumb structure across all site pages
  • Design concise yet descriptive navigation labels
  • Position breadcrumbs between main navigation and content
  • Implement schema markup for improved search engine interpretation

Footer sections demand strategic attention despite their bottom-of-page location. Well-planned footer links significantly enhance both user experience and SEO performance.

Example: Essential utility pages such as Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, or Sitemap

Best practices:

  • Create clean, organized footer sections
  • Arrange links in logical groups with descriptive headings
  • Reserve footer space for important but less-accessed utility pages
  • Avoid duplicating main navigation elements

Sidebars offer premium space for contextual navigation elements. These areas provide quick access to related content without disrupting the main reading flow.

Example: Recent posts, popular articles, featured resources, or calls-to-action

Best practices:

  • Practice selectivity – limit sidebar links to prevent user distraction
  • Craft enticing, descriptive link text that promotes clicks
  • Maintain sidebar consistency across similar page categories
  • Explore dynamic sidebar options that adjust based on content context

Visual elements naturally attract user attention, making images powerful vehicles for internal links. Transform passive visuals into active navigation elements.

Example: Product images linking to detail pages, infographic thumbnails connecting to full-size versions

Best practices:

  • Select high-quality, contextually relevant images
  • Write descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO benefits
  • Add visual cues that signal clickability (borders, hover effects)
  • Compress images appropriately for optimal page speed

Embedded links exist within interactive content elements such as videos, slideshows, or interactive graphics.

Example: Links in YouTube video descriptions, clickable infographic elements

Best practices:

  • Select embedded content with direct relevance to page topics
  • Insert links to your site within embed descriptions
  • Verify mobile compatibility for all embedded elements
  • Implement regular testing protocols to confirm functionality

Rounded button elements used for categories and tags serve as more than decoration—they function as powerful internal linking tools.

Example: Blog categories, product attributes, topic classification tags

Best practices:

  • Create clear, concise categorical labels
  • Control quantity per page to prevent user overwhelm
  • Design visually distinctive elements separate from body text
  • Organize pills into intuitive category groups or filters

The iconic three-line menu icon represents a critical mobile navigation element. Links within this interface directly impact mobile SEO performance.

Example: Expandable mobile navigation menus

Best practices:

  • Design simple, focused mobile menu structures
  • Prioritize essential links at the top of menu hierarchy
  • Craft descriptive, action-oriented menu labels
  • Confirm all menu links remain crawlable for search engines

Anchor links, also called “jump links,” transport users to specific sections within the current page. These navigation aids excel in long-form content.

Example: Table of contents linking to individual sections within comprehensive guides

Best practices:

  • Write descriptive anchor text that precisely indicates section content
  • Pair each anchor destination with clear, prominent headings
  • Apply anchor links judiciously—avoid excessive internal page jumping
  • Add “Back to Top” functionality for extended content pages

11. Related Post Links

Related post links suggest additional content with topical relevance to the user’s current reading material.

Example: “You might also like…” or “Related articles” sections concluding blog posts

Best practices:

  • Select genuinely related content with true topical connections
  • Craft compelling headlines that generate click interest
  • Add thumbnail images for enhanced visual engagement
  • Restrict related posts to 3-5 options to optimize user decision-making

Pagination links facilitate navigation through multi-page content collections such as blog archives or product listings.

Example: “Previous” and “Next” buttons, numbered page navigation systems

Best practices:

  • Implement descriptive anchor text (“Older Posts” rather than generic “Next”)
  • Structure URLs to include current page numbers
  • Add rel=”next” and rel=”prev” attributes for search engine guidance
  • Offer “View All” options when content volume permits

Comment sections create natural opportunities for additional internal linking through user interactions.

Example: Resource links provided when answering user questions in comment threads

Best practices:

  • Provide helpful resource links within comment responses when relevant
  • Add links only where they deliver genuine value to the conversation
  • Use clear, descriptive anchor text for comment links
  • Highlight valuable comment discussions containing useful resource links

Social share links indirectly support internal linking structure though their primary function targets external sharing. These elements drive traffic to your most shareable content.

Example: “Share on Twitter,” “Pin This,” platform-specific buttons integrated throughout content

Best practices:

  • Position share buttons at strategic engagement points throughout content
  • Select recognizable, standard icons for each platform
  • Display share counts when metrics demonstrate social proof
  • Optimize Open Graph tags for attractive, click-worthy social previews

Schema markup links remain invisible to users while helping search engines interpret your site structure more effectively.

Example: SiteNavigationElement schema markup applied to main navigation

Best practices:

  • Apply JSON-LD format for schema implementation
  • Create markup for navigation elements, footer links, and critical site sections
  • Test all markup with Google’s structured data validation tools
  • Update schema markup whenever site structure changes occur

This practical comparison table helps you select the right internal link types for different situations:

Link TypeSEO ImpactUser Experience ValueImplementation DifficultyBest For
Contextual Links★★★★★★★★★☆★☆☆☆☆Building topical relevance
Navigation Links★★★★☆★★★★★★★☆☆☆Site structure & hierarchy
Breadcrumb Links★★★☆☆★★★★☆★★☆☆☆User orientation on large sites
Footer Links★★☆☆☆★★★☆☆★☆☆☆☆Important but less-accessed pages
Sidebar Links★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★☆☆☆Related content promotion
Image Links★★★☆☆★★★★☆★☆☆☆☆Visual engagement
Embedded Links★★☆☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆Multimedia content
Pill Links★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★☆☆☆Content categorization
Hamburger Links★★☆☆☆★★★★☆★★★☆☆Mobile navigation
Anchor Links★★☆☆☆★★★★★★★☆☆☆Long-form content
Related Post Links★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★☆☆Reducing bounce rate
Pagination Links★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★☆☆☆Content archives
Comment Links★★☆☆☆★★★☆☆★☆☆☆☆Community engagement
Social Share Links★☆☆☆☆★★★☆☆★★☆☆☆Content distribution
Schema Markup★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆★★★★☆Enhanced search results

15 Types of Internal Links to Boost SEO & Engagement

Internal Linking by Page Type

Each page type requires a unique internal linking approach. Reference this guide for page-specific strategies:

Homepage

Primary link types: Navigation, Featured Content, Call-to-Action Linking goals: Distribute authority to key landing pages, guide users to main conversion paths Optimal link count: 20-30 strategic links

Blog Posts

Primary link types: Contextual, Related Posts, Tag/Category, Call-to-Action Linking goals: Build topical clusters, extend user engagement, direct toward conversion Optimal link count: 3-5 contextual links per 1,000 words

Product Pages

Primary link types: Related Products, Category Navigation, Contextual (in descriptions) Linking goals: Cross-sell, up-sell, provide product context Optimal link count: 5-10 highly relevant links

Category Pages

Primary link types: Product Links, Subcategory Links, Filters, Breadcrumbs Linking goals: Facilitate product discovery, establish category hierarchy Optimal link count: 10-50 (varies with category size)

Landing Pages

Primary link types: Call-to-Action, Navigation (limited), Testimonial Links Linking goals: Focus attention on conversion, provide minimal navigation options Optimal link count: 1-5 (strategic placement to minimize distraction)

Conclusion

In a digital world where everyone’s fighting for attention, internal linking remains surprisingly underutilized. While your competitors obsess over backlinks and social signals, you now have the knowledge to create a superior user experience and stronger SEO foundation through thoughtful internal linking.

Remember: The goal isn’t more links—it’s better links. Links that serve your users, support your business objectives, and strengthen your site’s authority in the eyes of search engines.

Take a look at your internal linking strategy today. Are you creating meaningful pathways for both users and search engines? Or are you leaving your best content stranded on digital islands?

The difference between a website that converts and one that confuses often comes down to how well you connect the dots for your visitors.