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Internal Linking Automation
PremiumLet authority flow between pages and form an internal link network
Internal Linking Automation
"Isolated pages are doomed. We must weave pages together like a spider web, using code."
What you will get in this chapter
- A minimum internal link network (MVS)
- Rules to auto-generate Related Links
- Internal link health metrics and acceptance checklist
One-sentence definition
Internal links = an allocator of authority and crawl paths.
Without internal links, pages are hard to crawl and index.
Minimum viable internal link network (MVS)
| Component | You need | Acceptance result |
|---|---|---|
| Hub page | 1 main entry | Can link to all subpages |
| Related Links | 4-6 per page | No orphan pages |
| Contextual Links | 1-2 per 500 words | Semantically relevant |
Qualified signal: any page is reachable within 3 clicks.
Three-layer internal link structure
- Hub pages: main entries that aggregate all subpages
- Related Links: recommended links at the bottom of each page
- Contextual Links: semantic links inside the body
All three layers together form a real authority loop.
Automation rules (recommended)
for each page:
related = same_type top 3 + adjacent_type top 2
ensure out_degree >= 3
ensure in_degree >= 3Rule explanation:
- Same type first (keep topical relevance)
- Adjacent type to add diversity
- Control in/out degree to avoid orphans
Core metrics (must track)
Definition (default):
- Time window: unless stated otherwise, use the last 7 days rolling.
- Data source: use one trusted source (GA4/GSC/platform console/logs) and keep it consistent.
- Scope: only the current product/channel, exclude self-tests and bots.
| Metric | Meaning | Pass line |
|---|---|---|
| Orphan Rate | Share of orphan pages | 0% |
| Avg Depth | Click depth from home to any page | <= 3 |
| In/Out Degree | Avg inbound/outbound links | >= 3 |
| Link Valid Rate | Invalid link ratio | 0% |
Acceptance checklist
Each page has at least 3 outbound links
Each page is linked by at least 3 other pages
The hub page includes all subpages
No dead links or 404 internal links
Common mistakes
- Too many irrelevant internal links -> diluted authority, worse UX
- Adding nofollow to internal links -> authority cannot flow
- Only Related Links -> missing semantic links in the body
Summary
Key takeaways
1. Internal links allocate authority and crawl paths.
2. Hub + Related + Contextual forms a strong network.
3. Metrics keep you free of orphans and shallow enough to crawl.
Next chapter: Site Matrix and Fingerprint Isolation - avoid risk when running multiple sites.