When you’re building a blog, every link is a thread in the web you’re weaving, for readers and for Google. Using internal and outbound links is one of the most strategic ways to guide your audience and improve your search visibility. But if you’ve ever stared at Yoast’s link suggestions and thought, Do I really need this many? You’re not alone.
Let’s walk through the why and how of using internal and outbound links like a strategist. You’ll learn how links help your blog’s visibility, what Google actually looks for, and how Yoast makes smart linking easier for authors and creatives who’d rather be writing than overthinking SEO.
What Are Internal and Outbound Links?
Before we get strategic, let’s define the basics:
- Internal links point to other pages on your own website
- Outbound links (also called external links) point to other trusted sites
Both are important. Internal links help readers (and Google) navigate your content. Outbound links show you’re connected to credible sources beyond your blog, kind of like citing your sources in a nonfiction book.
Google uses both to understand your site’s structure and authority.
Why Google Cares (and You Should Too)
When Google crawls your website, it follows your links like a map. If there are no clear paths between your pages, some content can get buried, even if it’s great.
Strategic linking can help:
- Boost the visibility of important posts or landing pages
- Improve user experience by guiding readers to related content
- Establish trust by linking to high-quality external resources
And yes, it also improves your SEO. Smart linking shows Google that your content is part of a larger, helpful network.
How to Link Like a Human (Not a Robot)
Adding links doesn’t mean jamming your article full of blue text. Here’s how to do it naturally:
- Use descriptive anchor text: Instead of “click here,” say something like read our author SEO guide
- Link when it adds value: Don’t force it, only add a link if it genuinely helps the reader
- Keep it relevant: Link to related blog posts, services, or trusted external resources
Pro tip: Limit outbound links to 2–3 per post unless it’s a curated list. Internal links are more flexible, but even they should be purposeful.
How Yoast Helps with Links
One of the best parts about using Yoast for optimization? The built-in link suggestions. When you’re editing a post in WordPress, Yoast will suggest:
- Internal links to other content on your site
- How many links you have already included
- A traffic light rating for both internal and outbound linking
Look at the sidebar or the bottom of your Yoast panel, and you’ll see how you’re doing at a glance.
Bonus tip: If Yoast doesn’t suggest any internal links, it might be time to create a new blog post that fills the gap.
Link Strategy for Authors
Authors and small publishers can use linking to:
- Drive traffic to book pages or lead magnets
- Highlight related blog content (like writing advice or publishing tips)
- Build trust by linking to tools and articles from sources like Google Search Central or Grammarly
Example: Writing about image SEO? Link to your own article on alt text. Quoting a publishing trend? Add an outbound link to a respected industry report.
Don’t Overthink It
Strategic linking is a habit that gets easier with practice. Think of your blog like a bookshelf — internal links are your bookends, and outbound links are the recommended reads you share with your audience.
Use Yoast’s feedback to check your link balance, but don’t obsess. Keep your writing natural and helpful first. SEO follows when the structure supports the story.
