Internal link issues can have a major impact on both user experience and SEO performance. With LinkStorm, you can easily identify and fix these issues using a range of specialized reports.
1. The “No Follow” Report
The No Follow Report in LinkStorm displays all internal links that contain the rel="nofollow" attribute. These links instruct search engines not to pass link authority, which might be appropriate in specific circumstances but is often used unintentionally.
Why It Matters: Internal links distribute link equity across your site. If the nofollow attribute is mistakenly applied to internal links, you’re preventing link authority from flowing through your pages, which can hurt their rankings.
Fixing Nofollow Links: Use the No Follow Report to review which links have this attribute. For most internal links, it's best to remove the
nofollowattribute, unless there’s a specific reason to keep it (e.g., links to login pages or temporary content).
Best Practice: Important pages, like high-conversion landing pages or cornerstone content, should never have nofollow internal links, as they are crucial for passing authority.
2. The “Broken” Report
Broken links are a serious issue when it comes to both SEO and user experience. The Broken Report helps you find all the internal links that lead to no longer existing or inaccessible pages.
Impact of Broken Links: Broken links create a negative user experience by leading users to error pages, which can reduce trust in your website. Moreover, broken links can hurt your SEO by signaling poor maintenance.
Fixing Broken Links: Regularly review the Broken Report and update links to point to active pages. If a page no longer exists, consider linking to a suitable alternative or creating a redirect to guide users and search engines appropriately.
Tip: Fixing broken links as soon as they are identified will help maintain your site’s credibility and ensure better performance in search engines.
3. The “Redirected” Report
Redirected links aren’t necessarily errors, but they do add unnecessary delays to page loading times. The Redirected Report shows you all internal links that lead to a redirected URL instead of pointing directly to the final target.
Why Redirects Can Be an Issue: Each redirection adds a slight delay in loading, which may seem negligible on its own but can add up when a site has many redirected links
Fixing Redirected Links: Use the Redirected Report to identify these links, and update them to point directly to the final URL.
Best Practice: Avoid redirect chains, where one link points to another redirect, creating a long path for both users and search engines to follow.
4. Regular Maintenance with LinkStorm’s Reports
By using these LinkStorm reports consistently, you can ensure that your internal link profile remains in great shape. Here are some best practices to make the most out of LinkStorm’s internal link management tools:
Schedule Regular Link Audits: Internal link issues can accumulate over time, so it’s essential to run regular audits using the No Follow, Broken, and Redirected Reports to catch and fix issues before they affect performance.
Prioritize High-Impact Pages: Focus on resolving link issues on pages with the highest traffic or importance within your site structure. This will help maximize the SEO benefits of your internal linking efforts.
Summary
Fixing internal link issues is crucial to ensuring a well-functioning and SEO-friendly website. With LinkStorm’s No Follow, Broken, and Redirected reports, you can easily identify and address these issues, keeping your website optimized for both search engines and user experience. Regularly using these reports will help you stay on top of any linking problems and maintain the quality of your website.