How to SEO Link to Other Sites: A Complete Guide to Strategic Outbound Linking
SEO Link to Other Sites: Do External Links Actually Boost Your Rankings?
You’ve probably asked yourself: “Should I link to other websites in my blog posts?”
Maybe you’re worried about losing traffic, maybe you heard linking out can “bleed authority,” or maybe you’re just unsure if external linking even matters.
Well, I’ve got good news and better news: linking to other sites isn’t just safe—it’s one of the most underrated SEO strategies you can use today.
In this post, you’ll learn why SEO link to other sites is essential, how to do it right, and what the latest research says about external link SEO.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Keyword | seo link to other sites |
| Secondary Keywords | does linking all my sites help seo, external link seo, external linking, do external links help seo, external hyperlinks, does linking to other websites help seo, are external links good for seo |
| Definition | Linking to domains outside your own (external linking) by adding hyperlinks that lead to other trustworthy, relevant websites. |
| Purpose | To build credibility, reinforce topical relevance, improve user experience, and help Google better understand your content. |
| Benefits | – Boosts trust and authority – Enhances topical relevance – Improves SEO indexing – Increases engagement and dwell time |
| Best Practices | – Link to high-authority, relevant websites – Use descriptive, contextual anchor text – Open links in a new tab – Use “follow” links unless required otherwise – Limit to 1–3 links per 1000 words |
| Common Mistakes to Avoid | – Linking to spammy or unrelated sites – Using vague anchor text (e.g., “click here”) – Overusing links for manipulation – Linking to competitors excessively |
| Relation to Internal Linking | Internal links connect pages within your own site; external links connect your content to other trusted sources to strengthen authority and trust. |
| Impact on SEO | Positive when done properly—helps with content trust, relevance, and visibility. Negative if overused or linked to poor-quality content. |
| Effect on PageRank | Minimal impact today. Google no longer splits PageRank strictly among outbound links. Relevance and value matter more. |
| Link Format Tips | – Use HTTPS links only – Set target="_blank" for external links– Include title attributes for accessibility if needed |
| When to Use External Links | – Citing research – Crediting original sources – Recommending tools or platforms – Supporting your argument with external authority |
| Tools to Evaluate External Link Quality | Moz, Ahrefs, SEMrush (for domain authority and spam score) |
| Ideal Use Cases | Blogs, guides, case studies, how-tos, listicles, and product/service content that references external research or industry tools. |
What Does It Mean to Link to Other Sites?
In SEO terms, external linking refers to placing hyperlinks on your site that point to domains you do not own. These are often called:
External links
Outbound links
External hyperlinks
For example, linking to Google’s SEO Starter Guide from your blog post is an external link.
Does Linking to Other Websites Help SEO?
Yes. And here’s why:
Google’s algorithm values trust, relevance, and authority. When you link to reputable sources, you’re essentially telling Google: “Hey, I’m part of this valuable conversation online.”
Benefits of External Linking:
Builds topical relevance
Boosts trust and credibility
Improves user experience
Signals quality to search engines
Helps your content get indexed faster
So, to answer the question, “Does linking to other websites help SEO?” — the answer is a solid yes.
The Science: What the Data Says
A case study by Reboot Online found that pages with outbound links to authoritative sources ranked higher in Google compared to those without any external links.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Page Type | Ranking Performance |
|---|---|
| No external links | Lower average rank |
| With relevant external links | Higher average rank |
Insert Image Suggestion: Chart comparing SEO performance of content with vs. without external links.
How to Link to Other Sites Without Hurting SEO
You might be thinking, “But won’t I lose traffic if I link away?”
Not if you do it smartly.
1. Link to High-Authority, Relevant Sources
Choose sites that are:
Trustworthy (e.g., .gov, .edu, or authoritative blogs)
Topically relevant to your content
Not your direct competitors
2. Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Instead of saying click here, use anchor text like:
“according to this SEO research study”
“external linking best practices”
“Google’s own recommendations”
This improves keyword association and readability.
3. Open External Links in a New Tab
Keep users on your site longer by setting links to open in a new browser tab.
4. Use Follow Links for Trusted Sources
Unless you’re linking to sponsored or user-generated content, there’s no need to add a “nofollow” tag. Let Google crawl the link if it’s legit.
Does Linking All My Sites Help SEO?
If you own multiple websites and wonder, “Does linking all my sites help SEO?”, the answer is: maybe—but it depends.
✅ Yes, if:
Your websites are topically related
The links are natural and relevant
You’re not doing it excessively
🚫 No, if:
You’re linking for manipulation
You use exact-match anchor text repeatedly
Your other sites are low-quality or unrelated
Remember: SEO link to other sites works best when it’s about value, not volume.
External Links vs. Internal Links: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Internal Link | External Link |
|---|---|---|
| Points to | A page on the same domain | A page on a different domain |
| SEO Role | Helps distribute link equity | Boosts trust, context, and credibility |
| Anchor Text | Often keyword-optimized | Often descriptive or brand-based |
| Example | /blog/seo-tips | https://moz.com/learn/seo/what-is-seo |
Insert Image Suggestion: Diagram of how internal and external links flow through a website.
Are External Links Good for SEO on Every Page?
While you don’t need to overdo it, adding 1–3 strategic external links per article is a good rule of thumb.
Here’s when you should definitely include them:
Citing studies, stats, or research
Referencing tools or platforms
Giving credit to other authors or blogs
Providing further reading or resources
Avoid linking to low-quality, spammy, or thin-content sites, as this can negatively impact your SEO.
Best Practices for External Link SEO
Here’s a checklist to follow when adding external links:
✅ Link to relevant, high-quality domains
✅ Use contextual, descriptive anchor text
✅ Open links in a new tab
✅ Limit total outbound links (no link farms)
✅ Add alt text if linking through images
✅ Avoid linking to competitors unless necessary
Pro Tip: Outbound links can also help with reciprocal linking or earning backlinks in return.
Does Linking to Other Sites Dilute My PageRank?
Not anymore. While Google’s PageRank algorithm once split link value among all links on a page, this concept has evolved.
As long as your SEO link to other sites is relevant and helpful, it’s unlikely to hurt your rankings.
In fact, over-optimizing by avoiding external links can be more harmful—Google might see it as manipulative or “selfish” content.
Summary Table: External Link SEO Essentials
| SEO Practice | Do This | Avoid This |
|---|---|---|
| Link to authoritative sources | ✅ Yes (e.g., Moz, Google, HubSpot) | ❌ Spammy, unrelated sites |
| Anchor text usage | ✅ Contextual & descriptive | ❌ Generic “click here” links |
| Link behavior | ✅ Open in new tab | ❌ Force user to leave your site |
| Quantity of external links | ✅ 1–3 per 1000 words (on average) | ❌ Dozens of irrelevant links |
| Link type | ✅ Follow for trusted sources | ❌ Nofollow everything |
1. What does “SEO link to other sites” mean?
An SEO link to other sites refers to an external hyperlink placed on your website that directs users to a different domain. These links are part of external linking strategies and help search engines understand your content’s context, increase credibility, and improve SEO performance when used properly.
2. Does linking to other websites help SEO?
Yes, linking to other websites helps SEO when done strategically. It enhances user experience, provides value, and demonstrates that your content is backed by authoritative sources. Google sees this as a sign of trust and relevancy, which may positively influence your search rankings.
3. Are external links good for SEO?
Absolutely. External links are a vital part of a healthy SEO strategy. When you link to relevant, high-authority sources, you signal to search engines that your content is well-researched and trustworthy. Just make sure you avoid linking to spammy or low-quality sites, as this could do more harm than good.
4. What is external linking in SEO?
External linking in SEO refers to the practice of adding hyperlinks that point to external domains. It’s used to enhance content value, support claims with data, and build trust. Unlike internal links, which keep traffic within your site, external links direct users to other reputable sources.
5. Do external links pass SEO value to the other site?
Yes. When you use a dofollow external link, you’re passing a portion of your PageRank (link equity) to the site you’re linking to. While this may sound like a loss, linking to authoritative sources actually helps your SEO by making your content more trustworthy and improving its performance in search results.
6. Should I use nofollow on all external links?
Not necessarily. Use nofollow only when linking to untrusted sources, sponsored content, or user-generated content. For trusted, high-quality sources, using a dofollow link (by default) is recommended and aligns with external link SEO best practices.
7. How many external links should I include per article?
There’s no strict rule, but including 1 to 3 external links per 1000 words is a common SEO recommendation. The focus should be on quality, not quantity. Each link should add value, reinforce your topic, and align with the reader’s intent.
8. Does linking all my sites help SEO?
Linking all your sites can help SEO if done naturally and the content across sites is relevant. For example, if you own three blogs in similar niches, linking them can help transfer authority. However, excessive cross-linking between unrelated or low-quality sites can look manipulative and hurt your SEO.
9. What’s the best anchor text for external linking?
The best anchor text is descriptive, relevant, and clear. Avoid vague terms like “click here.” Instead, use phrases that describe the linked content, such as:
“Read this SEO case study from Moz”
“Explore Google’s link-building guidelines”
“Check out these external linking strategies”
This improves both user experience and SEO keyword relevance.
10. Can external linking increase dwell time or reduce bounce rate?
Indirectly, yes. External links improve the credibility and usefulness of your content, encouraging users to stay longer and explore related topics. When users see that you’re referencing trusted sources, they are more likely to stay, engage, and return, all of which benefit SEO.
11. Do external hyperlinks affect my domain authority?
External hyperlinks do not directly affect your domain authority score, but they contribute to your site’s trustworthiness. When you consistently link to authoritative, relevant sources, search engines may view your site as more credible, which can support better overall rankings.
12. Should I open external links in a new tab?
Yes. For user experience and SEO, it’s best practice to have external links open in a new tab. This keeps users on your website longer while giving them the option to explore additional information—supporting session duration and engagement metrics.
13. Can external linking harm SEO?
External linking only harms SEO when:
You link to spammy or unrelated sites
You include too many outbound links on one page
You use irrelevant anchor text
You link excessively to your own network of sites in a manipulative way
Stick to linking naturally and only when it adds value.
14. Should I add external links to every blog post?
Not every blog post needs external links, but they should be included when:
You’re citing statistics or facts
You’re referencing a source
You want to provide extra value to readers
You’re recommending a tool, guide, or case study
The key is to use them intentionally and sparingly—only when they enhance the reader’s experience.
15. How do I track the performance of external links?
Use tools like:
Google Analytics → Check outbound link click events
Ahrefs or SEMrush → Monitor outgoing link structure
Screaming Frog → Crawl and audit external hyperlinks
Google Tag Manager → Set up custom tracking for external clicks
Tracking helps you understand which external linking strategies are keeping your content engaging and informative.
Conclusion: Should You Link to Other Sites for SEO?
Absolutely.
A smart SEO link to other sites strategy can:
Improve user trust
Boost topical authority
Signal relevance to search engines
Enhance your overall SEO profile
So don’t be afraid to share the link love—it’s not just helpful, it’s strategic.
What’s Your Linking Strategy?
Have you tried using external linking to boost your SEO? Do you think it helps or hurts?
Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what’s worked (or not) for you. Let’s build some healthy link karma! 🔗
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