How to Track Internal Link Performance with Google Search Console
Internal links play a crucial role in website navigation, SEO, and user experience. They help search engines understand site structure, distribute link equity, and improve page rankings. Tracking internal link performance is essential to ensure your strategy is effective. Google Search Console (GSC) offers valuable insights into how internal links impact your website. Here’s how you can track and optimize internal link performance using GSC.
1. Understanding Internal Links in Google Search Console
Google Search Console provides an Internal Links report under the Links section. This report lists the pages on your website and how often they are linked internally. By analyzing this data, you can:
- Identify the most internally linked pages
- Find pages with fewer internal links
- Optimize internal linking for better SEO
2. Accessing the Internal Links Report
To check internal links in GSC:
- Log into Google Search Console.
- Select your property (website).
- In the left-hand menu, go to Links.
- Scroll down to the Internal Links section.
This report will display a list of URLs with their corresponding internal link count.
3. Analyzing Internal Link Performance
a) Identify Key Pages with High Internal Links
Your most important pages (such as cornerstone content, product pages, or landing pages) should have a high number of internal links. If crucial pages have low internal links, consider adding more relevant internal links to them.
b) Find Orphan Pages
Orphan pages are pages with no internal links pointing to them. These pages are difficult for search engines to discover and may not rank well. You can use GSC to find pages with zero or very few internal links and add relevant links from other pages.
c) Check Link Distribution
A well-structured internal linking strategy ensures that link authority is evenly distributed across important pages. If some pages have significantly more internal links than others, consider adjusting the balance.
4. Improving Internal Link Structure
a) Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Anchor text helps search engines understand the linked page’s content. Use relevant and descriptive anchor text instead of generic phrases like “click here.”
b) Prioritize High-Value Pages
Ensure that high-value pages (such as revenue-generating or information-rich pages) receive more internal links from related pages.
c) Fix Broken Internal Links
Broken links negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use Google Search Console’s Coverage Report to identify and fix any broken internal links.
d) Create a Logical Hierarchy
Structure your internal links logically, ensuring that important pages are not too deep within your site architecture. This makes them easier to discover and rank.
5. Monitoring Internal Link Changes Over Time
Regularly check your Internal Links Report to track changes in link distribution. If a previously well-linked page suddenly drops in internal links, investigate the reason (e.g., page removals, navigation changes, or site structure updates).
Conclusion
Tracking internal link performance with Google Search Console helps improve site structure, enhance SEO, and boost user experience. By consistently analyzing and optimizing internal links, you can ensure better search engine rankings and a more navigable website. Make it a regular practice to review your internal link data and take necessary actions to maintain an effective internal linking strategy.