An ‘external link’ is any URL embedded within a site’s content that directs the user to a completely different, independent website. Conversely, ‘internal links’ guide users to other pages hosted on the same domain. Links, in general, are recognized as core ranking signals by search engines.
External links are particularly essential within online content and blogs. The inclusion of external links in blog posts, for example, is often necessary to properly cite a source or provide due credit.
Both internal and external links are frequently critical components of an overall SEO strategy. Maintaining a high volume of relevant internal links is key because they help retain users on a site and contribute to lower bounce rates.
However, when websites are new, they may have a limited amount of internal content to link to. In such cases, strategically incorporating links to reputable external sources can help build perceived domain authority and earn the audience’s trust.