External Link: A More Detailed Definition
An external link, also known as an outbound link, is a hyperlink on a webpage that directs the user to a webpage on a completely different website domain.
Key characteristics of external links:
- Different domain: External links point to webpages hosted on a different domain name (e.g., .com, .org, .net) than the website where the link appears.
- Visibility: External links (links to pages on the same website) are typically displayed differently than internal links (links to pages on the same website) to indicate that they will take the user to a new site. This might be done through underlining, a different color, or an arrow icon.
- Impact on SEO: External links can influence the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of both the linking and linked websites.
Examples of external links:
- You’re reading an article on a news website about a scientific discovery. The article includes a link to the research paper published on a university website. This is an external link.
- On a company’s website, they list their social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter) as links. These are external links since they lead to different domains.
- An e-commerce website might include links to product review websites written by independent bloggers. These would be considered external links.
Importance of external linking:
- Providing valuable resources: External links can enhance the user experience by directing them to relevant and reliable sources for further information.
- Building credibility: Linking to high-quality external websites portrays your content as well-researched and trustworthy.
- SEO benefits: Strategic external linking can improve your website’s SEO ranking by demonstrating relevance and authority. Search engines consider websites that link to authoritative sources to be more credible.
Things to consider when using external links:
- Relevance: Ensure the external link is relevant to the context of your content and adds value for the user.
- Credibility: Link to high-quality, trustworthy websites with a good reputation.
- Open in new tab: Consider using the “open in new tab” attribute for external links to prevent users from leaving your website immediately.
By understanding the definition of external links and using them strategically, you can enhance your website’s content, improve user experience, and potentially boost your SEO rankings.