Contextual Links (or Embedded Links)

What is a contextual link and how do contextual links benefit my web site?

Contextual Links (or Embedded Links)

Contextual links, also referred to as embedded links, in-content links, in-text links or context links, are links from one web page to another that are actually placed within the content of a web page, rather than in a list of links or a navigational element on the web site. Contextual links can be either internal links or external links.

Why Does This Matter to Me?

All links have some positive impact on your web site's ranking in the search engines - your SEO. Contextual links have the added benefit of the search engine being able to better understand the meaning and relevance of the target page by the context in which the embedded link is found in the content of the web page. From a SEO standpoint, organic links which are also contextual links are the best links to get.

Contextual links have another benefit for your web site. These internal links also allow web site visitors to see specific topics that are important on your web site, or what topics there is more information they could read further about on another web page. Visitors can then follow these links for more information at their discretion and as their time permits.

Having contextual links on your web site also allows you to provide information on a particular topic once, rather than having to cover the same information repeatedly.