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.

Watch "External Links Explained: How They Benefit Your Blog" on YouTube

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, and how is it different from an internal link?

An external link is a link on your site that sends readers to a different website. It can point to a study, a tool, a video, or another blog.

An internal link is a link that sends readers to another page on your own website. Internal links help people discover more of your content and help search engines understand your site.

A simple rule is this: if the link keeps readers on your domain, it is internal. If it sends them away from your domain, it is external.

If you want to build a strong site structure, learn more about Internal linking.

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

External links can help SEO when you use them the right way. Linking to trusted sources can show Google that your content is well researched and useful.

They usually do not hurt rankings unless you link to low quality sites, spam, or pages that are not related to your topic. You also want to avoid sending readers to a page that directly competes with the exact keyword you are trying to rank for.

Think of external links as proof and support. Use them to back up facts, define terms, or give readers a deeper resource.

If you are curious how Google measures authority signals over time, this guide on PageRank explained can help.

How many external links should I add in a blog post?

Use as many external links as your reader truly needs, but keep it focused. For most posts, a few strong links are better than a long list of random sources.

A good starting point is 2 to 6 external links for a typical blog post, depending on length and topic. Add more only if each link clearly adds value, like data, examples, or step by step instructions.

Place external links near the sentence they support. That makes them easier to trust and easier to use.

Also consider opening external links in a new tab so readers can come right back to your post.

Should I use nofollow on external links, and when does it matter?

Use nofollow when you do not want to pass SEO credit to the page you are linking to. This is common for paid links, affiliate links, sponsored mentions, or links you do not fully trust.

For normal editorial links to high quality sources, many bloggers use standard links. The key is to link because it helps the reader, not because you expect an SEO trick.

If you are unsure, start by marking paid and sponsored links as nofollow. For everything else, focus on relevance and quality.

You can learn the basics in this glossary entry on Nofollow links.

How can RightBlogger help me use external links better (and faster)?

RightBlogger can help you spot places where an external link would strengthen your post. This is useful when you are adding sources, examples, or “learn more” resources without slowing down your writing.

After you publish, you can review your content with SEO Reports to find SEO gaps, including missing supporting details that often pair well with smart external links. It is an easy way to improve clarity and trust.

If you share links in emails, social posts, or ads, add tracking so you know what works. The UTM builder helps you create trackable URLs in minutes.

The goal is simple: add fewer, better links that make your post more helpful and easier to trust.