How to Check Website Internal Links for Better SEO Performance

Introduction

Have you ever walked into a building only to find half the doors locked and no signs pointing the way? Frustrating, right? That’s exactly how users (and search engines) feel when your website’s internal links are broken, missing, or mismanaged.

Whether you’re a blogger, a business owner, or a digital marketer, knowing how to check website internal links is a critical part of keeping your site SEO-friendly and user-friendly.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to check internal links, why they matter, what tools to use—including outbound and outgoing link checkers—and how to create a smooth link structure that both your visitors and Google love.

What Are Internal Links and Why Should You Care?

Internal Links Defined

Internal links are hyperlinks that point from one page on your website to another page within the same domain. For example, linking your homepage to your blog page or your services page to your pricing page.

Why Internal Linking Matters:

• Improves crawlability: Helps search engines discover all your pages

• Boosts user experience: Guides visitors to relevant content

• Distributes link equity: Spreads authority across your site

• Increases session duration: Encourages users to explore more pages

Think of internal links as the digital highways of your website. If those roads are broken or poorly planned, your SEO traffic gets lost.

Common Internal Linking Issues

When you check website internal links, here are the most common problems you might find:

• Broken internal links (404 errors)

• Orphaned pages (no internal links pointing to them)

• Too many internal links on one page

• Non-descriptive anchor text

• Redirect chains or loops

Each of these issues can confuse users, hinder SEO, and waste crawl budget.

How to Check Website Internal Links (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Run a Site Audit

Use SEO tools like:

• Screaming Frog SEO Spider

• Ahrefs Site Audit

• SEMrush Site Audit

• Sitebulb

• Google Search Console (Coverage & Links)

These tools allow you to find internal links, identify broken ones, and understand link structure with easy-to-navigate reports.

Step 2: Check Internal Link Flow

Look for:

• Pages with too few or no links pointing to them

• Pages receiving too many links (dilutes link value)

• Link depth (how many clicks from the homepage)

Step 3: Use an Outbound Link Checker

While you’re optimizing internal links, it’s smart to audit your outbound links too. Tools like:

• Dr. Link Check

• Dead Link Checker

• Ahrefs Outgoing Links Report
  help ensure that you’re not sending users to outdated or broken external pages.

Tools to Check Internal and Outbound Links

Here’s a comparison of top tools to check website internal links and outgoing ones:

Insert an image of a sample Screaming Frog internal link report here
(to visually demonstrate how data is presented in the tool)

Best Practices to Optimize Internal Links

Once you’ve completed your internal link check, it’s time to optimize:

1. Use Descriptive Anchor Text

Avoid “click here.” Instead, link with context like:
👉 Read our SEO audit checklist for full optimization.*

2. Keep Links Relevant

Only link to pages that truly add value for the reader. Random or forced links dilute trust.

3. Limit Internal Links per Page

Stick to 100 or fewer links per page (including nav/footer) to keep things crawlable.

4. Fix Broken Links Immediately

A 404 page doesn’t just frustrate users—it kills link equity.
Use a tool like SEMrush or Google Search Console to track and fix them regularly.

5. Create Hub Pages

Centralize your most valuable content (e.g., resource hubs or guides) and internally link related blog posts to them.

Internal vs Outgoing Links: What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down:

You should check both regularly to keep your SEO sharp and your user experience strong.

How Often Should You Audit Internal Links?

A good rule of thumb:
🗓️ Every 3–6 months, or anytime you:

• Launch a new site section

• Remove or rename URLs

• Migrate to a new domain

• Notice traffic drops on certain pages

If you’re running a large site, consider monthly audits using automated tools and set alerts for broken links.

Mistakes to Avoid When Managing Internal Links

• Linking to non-indexable pages

• Using the same anchor text everywhere

• Forgetting to update old posts with new links

• Failing to prioritize top-performing pages

Think of it like spring cleaning—tidy links mean happier users and crawlers.

Benefits of a Clean Internal Link Structure

When you check and fix your website’s internal links, you unlock several SEO benefits:

• Improved crawlability and indexing

• Better user navigation and session duration

• More equitable distribution of link juice

• Stronger topical relevance signals to Google

• Reduced bounce rate and increased page views

✅ Top 15 FAQs About How to Check Website Internal Links

1. What does it mean to check website internal links?

To check website internal links means to audit all hyperlinks on your site that point from one page to another within the same domain. This process helps identify broken links, orphaned pages, link depth, and structure quality. Regular internal link checks improve site crawlability, enhance user navigation, and support your SEO efforts by ensuring search engines properly index all content.

2. Why is internal link checking important for SEO?

Internal link checking is vital because it helps search engines like Google understand your website structure. Clean, well-linked pages get crawled and ranked more efficiently. Using an internal link check ensures that pages receive proper authority, prevents link juice from being wasted on broken or redirected URLs, and improves overall on-page SEO.

3. How can I find internal links on my website?

You can find internal links using SEO tools such as:

• Screaming Frog SEO Spider

• Ahrefs Site Audit

• Google Search Console

• Sitebulb

• SEMrush

These tools crawl your site and provide detailed reports showing all internal links, their anchor text, and any potential issues.

4. What are the most common internal linking issues?

During an internal link check, the following problems often surface:

• Broken internal links (404 errors)

• Redirect chains or loops

• Orphaned pages (pages not linked to from anywhere)

• Repetitive anchor text

• Too many internal links on a single page

• Linking to noindex or non-canonical URLs

Fixing these issues helps optimize your site’s performance and SEO credibility.

5. How often should I check internal links on my website?

It’s recommended to check website internal links every 3–6 months. For larger websites or e-commerce platforms, monthly audits are ideal. You should also run a check whenever you add new pages, delete old content, or migrate to a new domain structure.

6. Which tools are best for an internal link check?

Here are the most trusted tools for an in-depth internal link check:

• Screaming Frog SEO Spider – Best for desktop crawling

• Ahrefs – Excellent for link metrics and orphaned content

• SEMrush – Strong link health reporting

• Sitebulb – Offers visual link maps

• Google Search Console – Free and great for link discovery

Each of these provides insight into both internal and outgoing link checker data.

7. What is the difference between internal and outbound links?

• Internal links point to another page on the same website.

• Outbound links (or external links) point from your website to another domain.

Checking both is crucial. Use an internal link checker for site navigation and an outbound link checker to verify the validity of external links.

8. Are there free tools to check internal and outbound links?

Yes! Some free internal link checkers and outgoing link checker tools include:

• Google Search Console – Internal and external link data

• Dr. Link Check – Checks outgoing links

• Small SEO Tools – Free backlink and link auditing tools

• Ahrefs Webmaster Tools – Free with limited access

These tools are perfect for quick diagnostics and basic link auditing.

9. Can broken internal links affect my search rankings?

Absolutely. Broken internal links cause poor user experiences and can lead to crawl errors, which weaken SEO performance. Google values a smooth, accessible site structure. Regularly checking and fixing broken links using an internal link check tool ensures that link equity flows properly and all pages remain discoverable.

10. How do I fix internal linking errors?

Once you check website internal links and identify problems:

• Update or replace broken URLs

• Remove links to deleted pages

• Use 301 redirects where needed

• Ensure all orphaned pages are linked from high-authority pages

• Diversify anchor text to avoid over-optimization

Tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs offer direct fix suggestions during site audits.

11. What is an outgoing link checker and why should I use it?

An outgoing link checker identifies all external (outbound) links from your website and tests them for validity. This ensures you’re not linking to broken, malicious, or outdated sources. Clean outbound links boost credibility and reduce bounce rates. Tools like Dr. Link Check and Dead Link Checker make this process easy.

12. How many internal links should a page have?

While there’s no exact limit, Google recommends keeping internal links under 100 per page to maintain crawl efficiency. Focus on relevance and user intent—only link to content that adds value. Prioritize your high-converting or informational pages during your internal link check.

13. What are orphan pages and how do I fix them?

Orphan pages are pages that have no internal links pointing to them, making them nearly invisible to users and search engines. To fix this:

• Identify them using internal link check tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog

• Add links to these pages from related, authoritative content

• Include them in your website’s menu or sitemap

This ensures no valuable content goes undiscovered.

14. Can I automate the internal link checking process?

Yes! Many tools let you automate internal link checks on a schedule. You can set up:

• Weekly crawls with Screaming Frog

• Automated reports in SEMrush or Ahrefs

• Link alerts for broken or redirected URLs

Automating this process helps maintain SEO hygiene with minimal manual effort.

15. What are some internal linking best practices?

Here’s a quick list of best practices when you check website internal links:

• Use keyword-rich, descriptive anchor text

• Link from high-authority pages to newer or underperforming ones

• Avoid over-linking within a single page

• Regularly update and audit older content

• Use breadcrumbs and clear navigation structures

Combining these tips with regular use of an internal link check tool ensures long-term SEO stability.

Conclusion

If SEO is a roadmap, then internal links are the signs guiding visitors to their destination—and helping search engines understand your site along the way. By regularly performing an internal link check, using outbound link checkers, and structuring your link flow wisely, you’ll enhance your site’s performance, trust, and discoverability.

Don’t wait until broken links hurt your rankings. Start auditing today.

What’s Your Link Strategy?

Do you regularly check your website’s internal links? What tools or tips have worked best for you?
Drop your thoughts and questions in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you! 🚀

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