How Many Outbound Links Per Blog For Optimal SEO?
Imagine that you are writing a book. You want your readers to have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information possible, so you decide to include citations to other sources throughout your book. These citations are like outbound links. They point your readers to other resources where they can learn more about the topics that you are discussing. Let’s talk about how many outbound links per blog for optimal SEO today!
What Are Outbound Links?
Outbound links are links that go from your website to another external website. They are also known as external links. Outbound links are often used to provide your readers with more information on a topic or to cite sources that you have used in your research.
The outbound link is embedded in the blue text. When you click on this link, you will be taken to another website, which is the source of the information.
They are commonly used in blog posts, articles, and other types of online content. They can be used to provide additional information to readers, cite sources, or cross-promote other websites.
How Many Outbound Links Per Blog For Optimal SEO?
There is no specific number of outbound links per blog post that is optimal for SEO. However, it is generally recommended to include at least one or two outbound links per 500-word blog post and up to five or six outbound links for longer blog posts.
The quality of the outbound links is more important than the quantity. Make sure to link to high-quality websites that are relevant to your topic and that provide additional value to your readers.
What Are Types Of Outbound Links?
You can indicate the link types to search engines by using rel attributes in the HTML anchor tags for links. There are two main types of outbound links:
- Dofollow links are the most common type of outbound link. When you create a do-follow link, you are telling search engines that you trust the website that you are linking to and that you endorse its content.
- Nofollow links tell search engines not to follow the link and not to pass any link equity to the website that you are linking to. This can be useful for linking to websites that you are not sure about or that you do not endorse.
In addition to these two main types of outbound links, there are also a few other types:
- Sponsored links are links that you are paid to include in your content. These links should be clearly disclosed as sponsored links.
- Affiliate links earn you a commission if someone clicks on the link and makes a purchase. These links should also be disclosed as affiliate links.
- UGC links are created by users, such as in comments or forum posts. These links are typically nofollow links.
Classifying outbound links by their relationship with your website helps search engines better understand the context and intent behind the links. This allows them to determine how to evaluate and value the links appropriately.
How Do Too Many Outbound Links Affect A Website?
While you’ve known “How many outbound links per blog for optimal SEO?”, have you ever wondered what the consequences are if there are too many of them?
Specifically, too many outbound links can adversely affect a website in several ways:
Dilute The Link Equity
Link equity is a measure of the authority and credibility of a website. When you link to other websites, you are passing on some of your link equity to them.
If you have too many outbound links, you are essentially giving away too much of your link equity, which can hurt your website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Make Your Website Look Spammy
Having an excessive number of outbound links, particularly those pointing to low-quality or unrelated websites can make your site appear untrustworthy or spammy to both users and search engines.
Google’s guidelines emphasize the importance of providing valuable and relevant content to users. If the majority of your content comprises links to irrelevant or low-quality sites, it may be perceived as an attempt to manipulate rankings or deceive users.
Visitors prioritize credibility and valuable content when browsing; a spammy appearance can deter them from spending time on your site or returning in the future.
Make Your Website Difficult To Navigate
If you have too many outbound links, it can make your website difficult to navigate. Visitors may get lost or overwhelmed by all of the links, and they may leave your website without finding the information they are looking for.
It is important to note that no specific number of outbound links is considered “too many.” The number of outbound links that are right for your website will depend on several factors, such as the size and type of your website, the industry you are in, and your target audience.
What Are Tips For Using Outbound Links In Blog Posts:
For optimal on-page SEO, follow these essential best practices when including outbound links on your site to enhance user experience and avoid search engine penalties:
- Carefully vet destinations for quality and relevance before linking out. Avoid low-value, spammy sites.
- Use descriptive anchor text that accurately conveys the content being linked to.
- Contextualize links with a brief explanation of their value for your readers.
- Include 2-6 outbound links per piece of long-form content. Too many can appear spammy.
- Open outbound links in new tabs to retain visitors.
- Strategically use nofollow and varied anchor text to avoid over-optimization.
By thoughtfully optimizing your outbound links, you can provide value to visitors while building trust with search engines.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how many outbound links per blog is optimal for SEO. However, a good rule of thumb is to aim for one to two outbound links per 500 words of content. Just be sure to choose your links carefully and to use descriptive anchor text.
I wish you luck on your SEO adventure! Additionally, if you’re using Shopify, consider leveraging the SearchPie app to enhance your SEO and elevate your rankings effortlessly.
