Does External Linking Help Your SEO?
Does linking out to other sites actually help your SEO, or is it one of those tricks that only “experts” talk about?
Let’s us paint you a quick picture. Imagine Google as the world’s strictest librarian, constantly organizing information, judging who’s worthy, and boosting content it can “trust.”
In the middle of this chaotic library is your website—trying to look smart by linking to reputable sources, kinda like quoting famous scientists in a high school essay.
We are here to tell you that external linking is one of those legit “hacks” that can skyrocket your SEO if done right.
We’ve put together this guide that explores whether linking to other sites actually helps your SEO and the best ways to use this strategy for maximum effect.
Understanding External Links in SEO
External links, also known as outbound links, direct users from one site to a different website.
You’re probably thinking, “Why would I want to send my precious traffic away?” But here’s the thing; Google eats this stuff up.
Search engines view external links as a mark of quality, relevance, and transparency when used appropriately.
It sees these links like footnotes in an academic paper, connecting your content with the big brains of the internet.
You are basically telling Google—or the search engines—“Look, I’m not just making stuff up. Here’s some hardcore evidence to back it up.”
How Does External Linking Impact SEO?
When you link out to solid sources, Google’s algorithms look at your site and think, “Alright, this is some quality, reliable content.”
This, in turn, can boost your SEO by making your site appear more reliable and valuable.
It’s like bringing a well-known buddy to a party—you instantly look more credible by association.
So, yeah, linking out can help boost your SEO score.
The SEO Benefits of External Linking
Enhances Authority and Trustworthiness
Linking to reputable sources enhances your site’s authority.
Every time you drop a link to a high-quality, credible site, you’re practically shaking hands with Google. It also builds trust with users, who see that you’ve backed up your claims with reliable information.
Please, please, please, make sure you check your sources and DO NOT link out to your competitors. Seems like common sense, right?
Increases Contextual Relevance
Ever read something and feel like it’s so shallow and you did not get any value? External links help you avoid that by adding depth to your content.
Google loves context, and when you’re linking to relevant sources, it’s like giving Google a VIP tour of what your content’s really about.
For example, a blog on digital marketing that links to industry studies on the latest SEO trends is more likely to rank well because it provides depth and context.
You’re pointing to the big players, which tells Google, “Yep, this person knows what’s up.”
Improved User Experience
Believe it or not, Google cares about whether users enjoy being on your site. External links guide users to valuable resources, enhancing their experience.
It’s like setting up a scavenger hunt; every link is another clue, leading them to the next piece of valuable information.
And when users have a good time, stay on your site longer, and come back for more? Well, Google loves that too. This increase in interaction can positively affect your site metrics, which can ultimately improve SEO.
Pro Tip: If you can embed a YouTube video within your content, whether that is a landing page or a blog page, do it. This helps with increased engagement.
Types of External Links and Their Impact on SEO
There are two main types of external links for SEO strategy: do-follow and no-follow links.
Do-Follow Links
These are the golden boys of SEO.
Do-follow links pass SEO “juice” from your site to the one you’re linking to, and of course, works the other way as well.
Imagine it’s like a shoutout—when you link to an authority site with a do-follow link, you’re giving them a little nod of respect.
Google notices this and goes, “Nice, they’re linking to solid content.”
But don’t go crazy with it; too many do-follow links, and it starts looking like you’re giving out high-fives to everyone just for the heck of it, which can make you lose credibility.
No-Follow Links
These are like secret handshakes.
No-follow links have a tag that tells Google, “Hey, I’m linking here, but don’t follow this one too closely.” They don’t pass on any SEO authority.
Although they don’t directly pass SEO value, no-follow links still add value for users and can improve engagement metrics.
It’s safe, it’s casual, and it can keep your linking strategy squeaky clean. Keep in mind that this can increase your overall traffic.
With traffic comes with engagement, and if engagement is good that signals to Google that your content is relevant and helps with moving you up the SERPs rankings.
Best Practices for External Linking
Now that you know why external linking works, let’s get into some basic guidelines.
Google’s like a lie detector for your links; it knows when you’re just doing it for show.
So follow these practices, and you’ll have a much better shot at gaining SEO points without ticking off Google.
Link to High-Quality, Authoritative Sites
Always link to sites known for accuracy and relevance.
Google loves it when you link to the big dogs—think government sites, academic papers, well-established blogs.
These are the sites people actually trust, and when you connect with them, Google starts to see you as part of the respected crowd.
Avoid linking to spammy or low-quality sites, as this can harm your SEO.
Use Relevant Anchor Text
This is a big one.
Anchor text is the clickable part of the link, and if you just slap “click here” on every link, Google’s gonna be less than impressed.
Use keywords or phrases relevant to the content you’re linking to, providing users with a clear idea of what they’ll find when they click the link.
For example, if you have stats on the page, you want to use the percentages as part of the anchor for the external link. Like this, everything in quotations would be the anchor text -> “88% of xyz”
Limit the Number of External Links
Too many links can be a nightmare, both for users and Google.
While external links are beneficial, overloading your page with too many can dilute their effectiveness.
Aim for a balance that enhances your content without distracting from it.
Be selective, like a bouncer at an exclusive club. You only want the best links in.
External Links vs. Internal Links - A Balanced Strategy
Both external and internal links are essential to a well-rounded SEO strategy.
Internal links are like core exercises, they strengthen your own site, improving user navigation and helping search engines map your pages.
External links, though, are like your cardio, you’re connecting with the world, showing Google you’re not just self-centered but part of a larger, credible ecosystem.
Wrapping It Up
If you’ve made it this far, then you’re ready for the final takeaway.
To answer the question, Does external linking help your SEO?—the answer is a resounding yes.
However, it’s essential to use external links strategically, linking to credible sites and ensuring that each link genuinely adds value.
This is where the expertise of Alterior Digital comes in. We specialize in building SEO-friendly content strategies, from content creation to link-building and brand authority.
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