Actionable Insights:
- Refine Your Anchor Text: Take a closer look at the anchor text for your internal links. Make sure each piece of anchor text is contextually relevant and gives a good indication of what the linked page is about. Move away from generic phrases or purely keyword-driven text towards more descriptive and meaningful anchor text.
- Strategically Place Your Links: Integrate internal links where they naturally fit within the content, ensuring they contribute to the reader’s understanding or curiosity about a topic. Links should feel like a seamless part of the narrative, guiding readers to related content that enriches their experience.
- Apply the Reader’s Perspective Test: Before adding a link, ask yourself if it truly adds value for someone reading the content. If the link’s purpose isn’t immediately clear or if it doesn’t seem to offer additional, useful information to the reader, reconsider its placement or the way it’s presented.
In a thought-provoking piece on Search Engine Journal, Roger Montti introduces a fresh perspective on internal linking that aligns more closely with Google’s advanced semantic understanding of web content. His article, “Sentence-Level Semantic Internal Links For SEO,” challenges traditional linking practices and offers insights into creating more effective SEO strategies.
Beyond Keywords: The Context Matters
Montti emphasizes the shift away from keyword-focused anchor text, suggesting that internal links should be contextually relevant within the content. Google’s guidelines, such as the SEO Starter Guide and SEO Links Best Practices, advocate for anchor text that provides clear and descriptive insights into the linked content, enhancing both user experience and Google’s content comprehension.
Think Like Your Reader
The article highlights the importance of considering the reader’s perspective. Montti argues that links should be naturally integrated into content, providing value and relevance to the reader’s journey. This approach not only improves user engagement but also aligns with Google’s preference for user-centric content.
A Modern Approach to Internal Linking
Montti critiques outdated internal linking beliefs and introduces the concept of a “Taxonomy of Topics.” This hierarchical structure of topics and subtopics within a webpage helps Google understand the content better. He suggests that internal links should reflect this structure, ensuring they are contextually relevant and contribute to a cohesive content experience.
Key Takeaways
- Contextual Relevance: Links should be meaningful within the sentence and paragraph they’re placed in, aligning with the surrounding content’s topic.
- User Experience: Think from the reader’s perspective to ensure links add value and enhance navigation.
- Semantic Structure: Reflect the hierarchical organization of content in your linking strategy, considering the main topics and subtopics.
Montti’s insights encourage SEO professionals to adopt a more nuanced and reader-focused approach to internal linking. By prioritizing semantic context and user experience, websites can improve their SEO performance while offering a better navigation experience for their audience.
For an in-depth exploration of this innovative approach, be sure to read the full article by Roger Montti on Search Engine Journal HERE.
