Top Internal Linking Mistakes That Hurt Your SEO (And How to Fix Them)

If you’ve been learning about SEO, you’ve probably heard that internal linking is kind of a big deal. And it is! Internal links help search engines understand your website structure, pass authority between pages, and guide users to more of your content.

While internal links can boost your SEO, just adding links to your website isn’t enough. Some internal linking mistakes can actually hurt your SEO more than help it. Luckily, these mistakes are all fixable and avoidable—even if you’re not an SEO expert (yet). Let’s break down the most common internal linking mistakes and how to fix them.

Internal Linking Mistake #1: Generic or Vague Anchor Text

Vague anchor text—like “click here,” “this article,” or “read more”—is one of the most common internal linking mistakes, and it can quietly undermine your SEO efforts. These generic phrases might seem harmless, but they don’t give search engines enough information about what the linked page is actually about.

Google relies on anchor text to understand context and relevance, so when the text is too vague, it’s a missed opportunity to reinforce your content’s keywords. Plus, it’s not very helpful for users either.

How to fix it:

Use clear, descriptive anchor text for your links. Instead of “read more,” try something like, “Learn how to optimize your blog posts for SEO.” Clear, descriptive anchor text not only boosts SEO but also sets better expectations for what readers will find when they click the internal link.

Internal Linking Mistake #2: Linking to Irrelevant Pages

Not every page on your site needs to link to every other page. Internal links should make sense in context. Linking just for the sake of it can confuse users and dilute the topical focus of your pages. It can also mess with how Google understands your site structure.

How to fix it:

Only link to content that’s truly relevant to the page topic. If you’re writing about SEO basics, linking to a page about social media ads might not make sense. Linking to a post on keyword research, however, would be ideal.

Internal Linking Mistake #3: Adding Too Many Links

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. If you cram a page full of internal links, it can get overwhelming for both users and search engines. Too many links can dilute link value and make it harder for search engines to figure out which links are most important. It also negatively affects user experience.

How to fix it:

Be strategic when adding links to your page. Focus on linking to the most relevant, helpful pages. If a link doesn’t serve a clear purpose, it’s best to leave it. Don’t try to make the link fit into content that isn’t relevant.

Internal Linking Mistake #4: Using Orphan Pages

Orphan pages are like islands—completely disconnected from the rest of your site. If no other pages link to them, search engines might not ever find them. And if people can’t navigate to them from other content, they’re unlikely to get any traffic.

How to fix it:

Use an SEO tool—like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or even Google Search Console—to find orphan pages. Then, add links to them from relevant blog posts, category pages, or even your homepage if they’re important enough.

Internal Linking Mistake #5: Using Broken Links

Broken links are not only frustrating for users, but they’re also bad for SEO. They create a poor user experience and waste crawl budget, which means Google may stop crawling your site as efficiently.

How to fix it:

Run regular link audits using tools like Sitebulb, Semrush, or Broken Link Checker. If you find broken internal links, update them with the correct URL or set up a proper 301 or 302 redirect if the page has moved.

Internal Linking Mistake #6: Burying Important Pages

If it takes five or six clicks to reach a page from your homepage, that’s a problem. Search engines prioritize pages that are closer to the homepage. The deeper a page is buried, the less likely it is to be crawled and ranked.

How to fix it:

Aim for optimal page depth by keeping important content within three clicks of your homepage. Use a flat site structure and link to high-value pages from your main navigation, sidebar, or frequently visited pages.

Quick Fix-It Checklist

Here’s a quick recap of the most common internal linking mistakes to watch for:

• Avoid generic anchor text—make it descriptive
• Only link to contextually relevant content
• Don’t overload your pages with too many links
• Identify and fix orphan pages
• Fix or redirect broken internal links
• Keep important pages within three clicks from the homepage

Final Thoughts from a Mental Health SEO Specialist

It might not be as flashy as keywords or backlinks, but internal linking is a powerful part of your SEO toolbox. By avoiding these common mistakes—and applying a few simple fixes—you’ll make your site easier to navigate, easier to crawl, and more helpful for your visitors. Start with one or two of these fixes today, and you’ll be ahead of most websites out there.

Let Simplified SEO Consulting Boost Your Website’s SEO

It’s crucial to make sure your website’s internal links aren’t hindering your SEO efforts. At Simplified SEO Consulting, we work with private practice owners to strengthen their online presence through thoughtful, strategic SEO. That includes refining often-overlooked details like internal linking, which is essential for helping search engines and visitors navigate your site more effectively. Start working with us by following these simple steps:

1. Schedule a free consultation with Simplified
2. Meet with one of our experienced SEO specialists
3. Improve your website’s visibility to attract your ideal clients

Other Services Offered by Simplified SEO Consulting

Our expert SEO specialists offer a variety of services designed to help private practice owners improve their online visibility. Whether you’re looking for a completely hands-off experience or prefer to take the reins yourself, we have options to suit your style.

With our Done-For-You SEO services, we handle everything—from developing a keyword strategy to optimizing your site’s content. If you prefer to be more involved, our DIY SEO Online Courses can guide you through the process of boosting your site’s rankings with confidence.

For a more personalized approach, our SEO Strategy Package provides a custom roadmap tailored to your practice’s unique goals. We also offer an SEO Consulting Package that provides detailed feedback and targeted solutions for specific SEO hurdles.

Additionally, we offer Technical SEO support to improve your website’s performance, Local SEO services to help you get found in your area, and Stand-Alone Copywriting to make sure your content connects with both search engines and prospective clients.

Be sure to visit our SEO blog for more insight! It’s full of actionable advice and strategies to help private practice websites grow and succeed online.

About the Author

Carey is a Mental Health SEO Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting. With a background in psychology and business, she aims to help therapists and private practice owners get the best ROI from their SEO efforts. While she loves optimizing websites and has a knack for writing and editing, her favorite part of her role is getting to know each client individually. When she isn’t working, she loves spending time with her family and doing anything creative.

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