An external link points from your site to another domain. Use high-quality external links to cite sources and improve credibility; they will not necessarily harm your ranking if used properly.
Why External Links Matter for SEO
Search engines like Google view external links as signals of relevance and authority. Linking to credible websites builds trust, strengthens topical connections, and enhances user experience. At the same time, earning external links from other websites is one of the strongest ranking factors because it demonstrates that others find your content valuable enough to reference.
Without the right balance of external links, a website may look isolated, limiting its authority in the eyes of both users and search engines.
External Links Across Different CMS Platforms
WordPress
WordPress makes adding external links simple through its editor. Plugins can help add attributes like “nofollow” or “sponsored” to ensure links are optimized for SEO.
Shopify
Shopify store owners can use external links to connect shoppers to manufacturer resources, product care guides, or trusted certifications, improving customer trust and SEO signals.
Wix
Wix users can add external links to blogs, product pages, and resources easily, though they should monitor for broken links to avoid SEO issues.
Webflow
Webflow’s customization options allow for clean linking structures, making external links blend seamlessly with site design while passing SEO value.
Custom CMS
Custom CMS platforms can integrate external linking with more advanced control over attributes, automation, and analytics to ensure both users and search engines benefit.
External Links in Different Industries
Ecommerce
Ecommerce sites benefit from external links to credible sources such as product certifications, brand websites, or authoritative blogs, which improve trust and reduce hesitation during the buying process.
Local Businesses
Local businesses can use external links to connect with local directories, reviews, or relevant associations, which builds credibility and supports local SEO strategies.
SaaS
SaaS companies can link to research reports, case studies, or industry standards to strengthen authority and demonstrate thought leadership.
Blogs and Publishers
Blogs and news sites thrive on external links because they enrich articles with trusted references, statistics, and sources that back up claims.
Best Practices for External Linking
- Always link to authoritative and trustworthy websites that enhance your content’s credibility.
- Use relevant anchor text that tells users and search engines what the linked page is about.
- Balance external linking with internal linking to maintain authority flow within your own site.
- Regularly check for broken external links and replace or remove them.
- Avoid linking excessively, as too many outbound links can distract readers and dilute value.
Common Mistakes with External Links
Linking to low-quality or spammy websites: This can harm both user trust and search rankings.
Using generic anchor text like “click here”: It fails to give context to search engines and readers.
Neglecting link attributes: Not setting “nofollow,” “sponsored,” or “ugc” when appropriate can lead to compliance issues.
Overusing external links: Linking too often without adding real value makes content look unfocused.
Failing to monitor link health: Broken external links frustrate users and reduce SEO value.
FAQs
What is an external link?
An external link (also called an outbound link) is a hyperlink from your website to a page on a different domain.
How do external links differ from internal links?
Internal links lead to pages within the same domain; external links go outside your domain to another website.
Why are external links important for SEO?
External links help by citing credible sources, enhancing trust and authority, improving user experience, and signaling relevance to search engines.
Can external links hurt my site?
Yes if you link to low-quality or spammy sites, use non-relevant anchor text, or have too many outbound links without value. Also, wrong attributes (e.g. misleading “nofollow”) may lead to poor user trust.
How do I use external links effectively?
Link only to relevant and authoritative sources, use descriptive anchor text, monitor that links aren’t broken, and avoid over-linking so user experience stays strong.