{"id":98927,"date":"2021-06-08T11:20:19","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T18:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/?p=98927"},"modified":"2023-08-18T13:43:18","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T20:43:18","slug":"what-are-outbound-links-why-are-they-important-and-how-do-they-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/blog\/what-are-outbound-links-why-are-they-important-and-how-do-they-work\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Outbound Links? Why Are They Important? And How Do They Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nWhat are outbound links? Why are outbound links important? And how do outbound links work?<\/p>\n
Links have long been a ranking factor in organic search. One goal of SEO is to ensure that every link is quality and relevant, which helps a website maintain its authority and competitiveness in the search results.<\/p>\n
Much is said about inbound links. But outbound links carry weight, too, even though they are talked about far less. I\u2019ll answer common questions about outbound links in this article and provide examples and tips.<\/p>\n
An outbound link is a link from a page on one website to a webpage on another website.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To illustrate, Site A links to Site B. Site A\u2019s link to Site B is an outbound link from Site A. Site\u2019s A\u2019s link to Site B is also considered an inbound link to Site B.<\/p>\n
Outbound links are important because they can impact user experience and SEO. The big picture is that if no websites are linked out to other websites, search engines like Google would have a harder time doing their job.<\/p>\n
Links are a vote of confidence from one website to another. Ever since PageRank<\/a> launched in the late \u201990s, links have been a significant way Google determines rankings. Inbound links help search engines determine a website\u2019s popularity, authority, and relative importance on the web.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at how outbound links impact user experience and SEO.<\/p>\n First, is the user experience. As you write quality content, you will want to back up your text with supporting resources. Your outbound links give context to your topic. Readers can learn more if they choose to click through.<\/p>\n Google\u2019s John Mueller echoed this, saying that \u201clinking to other websites is a great way to provide value to your users\u201d in a short video:<\/p>\n On the SEO side of things, which websites your website links to matters. If you link to quality sites in your field, then search engines may deem your site higher quality by association. But the opposite is true as well. How many high-quality sites do you see linking to spam sites?<\/p>\n Therefore, search engines like Google may determine that a site is spammy if it regularly links to spammy sites. Similarly, outbound links to sites that have nothing to do with your subject matter can look unnatural, so do so sparingly.<\/p>\n Mueller pointed out in the video embedded above certain types of outbound links to avoid from an SEO perspective:<\/p>\n I would watch out for a few types of links, though. In particular, if you’re linking out to a site because of an arrangement, like you link to me and I’ll link to you, or because it’s an advertisement, or if it’s being done in your site’s comments, and you’re not really sure how good those links are. In all of these situations, your pages aren’t linking out because you think the other page is a great match for users. For these kinds of links, we recommend using the “rel=nofollow” link attribute.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n For more caution, it\u2019s useful to understand Google\u2019s Webmaster Guidelines on link schemes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Outbound links are facilitated most commonly by text or images on a webpage. The most common is text, and it works by hyperlinking. A hypertext link is an HTML link embedded within the body text of a webpage.<\/p>\n The reader sees text that is highlighted and activated with a link called \u201canchor text,\u201d like so:<\/p>\n Check out this SEO company<\/a><\/em>. (In this case, \u201cSEO company\u201d is the anchor text, and the link goes to our homepage.)<\/p>\n On the HTML code side of the webpage that same link would look like this:<\/p>\n <a href=”https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/”>SEO company<\/a><\/em> (The link is shown after \u201ca href\u201d and the anchor text follows.)<\/p>\n When creating an outbound link, a best practice is to ensure the webpage you are linking to opens in a new window. That way, the reader is not taken off your website. Rather, a new window opens up with the target webpage.<\/p>\n This is typically done via a setting in your CMS as you upload the content and get it ready for publication.<\/p>\n <a href=”https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/” target=”_blank”>SEO company<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(The attribute target=”_blank” indicates to open a new window.)<\/p>\n A few tips as you are learning how to do outbound links correctly …<\/p>\n While outbound links may not get as much attention as inbound links, they matter to your website. Take care to follow best practices with your outbound links.<\/p>\n For more in-depth coverage of linking practices that work, download our e-book \u201cThe New Link Building Manifesto: How to Earn Links that Count<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Outbound links have emerged as potent tools that can significantly influence a website’s authority and competitiveness in search results. When used thoughtfully and strategically, these links can yield remarkable benefits for your online presence.<\/p>\n Building a Strong Digital Identity<\/strong><\/p>\n Outbound links serve as pathways that connect your website to other authoritative and relevant sources across the web. When you link to reputable external websites, you essentially validate your content and assertions. This validation resonates with search engines, such as Google, which view your website as a hub of valuable information. As a result, your website’s authority within your niche or industry is bolstered, setting the stage for improved search rankings.<\/p>\n Navigating the SEO Landscape<\/strong><\/p>\n The impact of outbound links on SEO is twofold. Firstly, they signal to search engines that your website is a reliable source contributing to the broader online community. Secondly, these links create a contextual web that interconnects various high-quality resources. This web enhances user experience by offering readers deeper insights and additional references, leading to longer time spent on your site and reduced bounce rates. Search engines interpret this engagement as a positive signal, potentially elevating your rankings.<\/p>\n Enhancing Competitiveness Through Association<\/strong><\/p>\n Outbound links also forge relationships within your industry. When you link to reputable sources, you establish a network of associations that underline your website’s relevance. This can lead to reciprocal links, where authoritative websites may find value in your content and link back to you. Such backlinks testify to your website’s credibility and can further amplify your competitiveness in search results.<\/p>\n Expert Insights and Best Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n To harness the potential of outbound links, it’s essential to follow best practices. Choose sources that align with your content’s subject matter, ensuring relevance and coherence. Craft anchor text that succinctly describes the linked content, adding value to readers. Additionally, focus on natural and organic linking rather than engaging in manipulative practices that could harm your SEO efforts.<\/p>\n Outbound links can sculpt your website’s authority and competitiveness in the intricate realm of search engine rankings. By thoughtfully integrating links to authoritative sources, you enrich the user experience and foster a network of connections that solidify your digital presence.<\/p>\n Step-by-Step Procedure: How Outbound Links Impact Website Authority and Competitiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n Much is said about inbound links. But outbound links carry weight too and are just as important for user experience and SEO. Here are answers to common outbound link questions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":98934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1707,1706,1232,1110,1704,1705],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"Linking Out for User Experience<\/h3>\n
Linking Out for SEO<\/h3>\n
<\/a>How Do Outbound Links Work?<\/h2>\n
\nFor the HTML code, to ensure a link opens in a new window, it would look like this:<\/p>\nTips for Outbound Linking<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>FAQ: How can outbound links impact a website’s authority and competitiveness in search results?<\/h3>\n
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