What is an External Link? (+ How to Use Them Effectively)

Last Updated August 17, 2024

Have you ever clicked a link on a website and ended up on another site? We’ve all done that, right? That’s called an external link.

An external link is when you include a link in your blog post that directs readers to another website, blog post, video, or any external resource.

External links are incredibly useful for bloggers. They provide additional value to your readers by pointing them to resources where they can learn more about a topic, especially if you don’t have room to fully expand on it within your post. Search engines like Google also love external links to authoritative websites – their algorithms take this into account when evaluating your content’s authority.

The Benefits of Using External Links

Using external links on your blog offers several advantages:

1. Increased Authority: By linking to reputable, high-quality websites, you demonstrate your blog’s authority and credibility in your niche.

2. Better User Experience: External links give your readers easy access to additional information, enhancing their overall experience on your blog.

3. Search Engine Optimization: Search engines favor content that links to authoritative sources, potentially boosting your search rankings.

How to Use External Links Effectively

While external links are beneficial, it’s important to use them strategically. Here are some tips:

Link to Relevant, High-Quality Sources: Make sure the websites you link to are trustworthy, informative, and directly relevant to the topic at hand.
Avoid Linking to Direct Competitors: If you’re trying to rank for a specific keyword or topic, don’t link out to a competitor’s content that directly competes with yours.
Use Descriptive Anchor Text: Instead of using generic phrases like “click here,” craft descriptive anchor text that accurately represents the linked content.
Open Links in a New Tab or Window: This ensures that readers can easily return to your blog after visiting the external link.

Conclusion

External links are a powerful tool for bloggers. They enhance the user experience, establish your authority, and can even boost your search engine rankings.

However, it’s crucial to use them judiciously, linking only to high-quality, relevant sources while avoiding direct competitors. By striking the right balance, external links can take your blog to new heights.

What is an external link on a blog post?

An external link is a link that sends readers from your site to a different website.

Bloggers use external links to point to helpful resources like studies, tools, videos, or examples that support what you are saying.

External links can improve trust because they show you did research and you are willing to cite strong sources. They can also help readers learn more without you having to explain everything in one post.

Do external links help SEO, or can they hurt my rankings?

External links can help SEO when they point to trustworthy, relevant sources.

Search engines often see good citations as a quality signal, especially when your links support facts, definitions, or data. This can make your content look more helpful and accurate.

External links can hurt if you link to low-quality sites, spam, or pages that are not related to your topic. When in doubt, link out less and choose better sources.

Should I open external links in a new tab?

Yes, opening external links in a new tab usually improves the reader experience.

It lets people check the source and then easily come back to your post. This can reduce the chance that readers leave your site and forget to return.

If you do this, make sure the link is clearly labeled with descriptive anchor text so readers know what to expect when they open it.

How many external links should I include in one blog post?

Include as many external links as needed to support your points, but do not add them just to add them.

A good rule is to link out when it truly adds value, like citing a statistic, defining a term, or giving a trusted next step. Too many links can distract readers and make your post feel messy.

Balance external links with smart internal links, so readers can keep exploring your own content too. If you want to tighten your site structure, see this guide on Internal Linking.

How can RightBlogger help me use external links more effectively?

RightBlogger can help you plan and write posts where external links support your topic instead of distracting from it.

When drafting content, you can use the RightBlogger AI Article Writer to create a clear outline and add spots where citations or helpful resources should go. This makes it easier to add links with purpose.

After publishing, you can review performance and find weak spots using SEO Reports. That helps you decide if you should add a stronger source, improve anchor text, or remove links that are not helping readers.