There’s no fixed limit for links per page for SEO; keep a sensible count that aids readers and stays crawlable.
Chasing a magic number for links on a page leads to weak pages. Search systems look for helpful pages that people can finish without friction. The right link count matches the goal of the page, the length, and the layout. This guide gives clear ranges, red flags, and fixes so you can ship pages that read well and still pass crawl and quality checks.
Quick Answer, Context, And When Counts Get Risky
There isn’t a universal cap on link quantity. Pages can carry dozens of links and still perform. Trouble starts when links crowd the main task, slow the page, or confuse crawlers. If a screen feels link-heavy, it probably is. Aim for a layout where links guide the next step, not distract from it.
Body Links Versus Template Links
Not all links play the same role. Template links (header, nav, sidebar, footer) build site structure. Body links steer users to the next helpful page. Search engines have long handled large navs, but body links still need judgment. Pack the copy with only those that move a reader forward.
What Readers Expect On Different Page Types
- Blog posts and guides: Light to moderate body linking tied to steps or claims.
- Hubs and category pages: Many links are normal, since the page is a directory.
- Docs and references: Dense linking is fine if scanning stays easy and sections are clear.
Broad Map Of Link Types And When To Use Them
Use this map to plan links that help readers and avoid noise. Keep anchors short, descriptive, and honest. Avoid stacking many links on one sentence.
| Link Type | Typical Location | Primary Job |
|---|---|---|
| Header/Nav | Global top bar or mega-menu | Move across sections and key money pages |
| Sidebar | Left/right column | Jump to related items, filters, tools |
| Footer | Bottom of page | Policy, legal, secondary nav, contact |
| Body Context | Main content | Back up claims, next steps, definitions |
| In-Page TOC | Start of article | Fast jumps to sections; better UX on long posts |
| Breadcrumb | Top of content | Show hierarchy and give a quick path up |
| Facet/Filter | Category or search pages | Narrow results without hurting crawl paths |
| Callout/Card | Boxes inside body | Promote core pages or lead magnets without clutter |
How Many Links On A Page For Rankings — Real-World Benchmarks
Benchmarks help, but treat them as guides, not rules. The goal is clarity. Keep the reader moving without turning the page into a link farm.
Benchmarks For Body Links By Content Length
- Up to 800 words: 3–8 body links fits most topics.
- 800–1,500 words: 6–15 body links lands well.
- 1,500–3,000 words: 12–30 body links can work if sections stay scannable.
These ranges exclude template links. Hubs and catalogs sit outside these ranges by design.
Why There’s No Magic Number
Search engines can parse many links. They still look at layout and clarity. A pile of near-duplicate anchors to thin pages weakens trust and wastes crawl activity. A tight set of links to rich, useful pages does the opposite.
Official Guidance That Matters
Google’s link best practices say there isn’t a special ideal count. The page points to crawlable, visible links with descriptive anchors. That aligns with real-world tests: when links aid the task and the page stays fast, counts are flexible.
Internal Linking: Make Equity Flow Without Noise
Internal links tell crawlers which pages matter most. They also help users finish a task in fewer clicks. You don’t need to stuff anchors with the same phrase. Vary anchors to match the target page.
Good Signals
- Every key page gets links from related posts and from at least one hub or category.
- Anchors match intent: “pricing,” “setup,” “API limits,” not vague “learn more.”
- Links appear near the claim or step that sparks the next question.
Risky Patterns
- Dozens of side-by-side links with the same anchor.
- Anchors that promise one thing and land on thin or off-topic pages.
- Automatic linking for every keyword site-wide. That looks spammy and adds noise.
What To Do With Duplicate Links
Multiple links to the same target can be normal on templates (nav, breadcrumb, footer). That’s fine. In the body, merge duplicates unless each link serves a clear, distinct next step.
External Links: Use Them To Build Trust
Outbound links help readers verify facts and learn more. Use sources that carry weight in your niche and link to the exact page, not a homepage. Keep anchors short and descriptive.
Cite clear standards, rules, or datasets. Two strong examples most sites lean on are Google’s spam policies and the crawlable links guidance. Link where the claim appears, not in a separate list.
UX And Crawl Health Checks Before You Publish
Links should add clarity, not clutter. Run these checks on mobile and desktop. If a screen feels crowded, cut links or move them to a neat list or card.
Speed, Layout, And Taps
- Tap targets need breathing room; no tiny, stacked anchors.
- Table widths shouldn’t push text off screen.
- Hero blocks stay light; text first, then visuals.
Crawl And Index Signals
- Keep links visible in the HTML. JS links that only render on user action may be missed.
- Use descriptive anchors humans understand. That gives crawlers better context.
- Large sites should watch crawl activity and index coverage. Fix pages that go soft.
Anchor Text That Feels Natural
People scan anchors. Short, descriptive phrases win. Avoid dumping many anchors into one sentence. Keep each link tied to one promise. If a link points to a long guide, say so in the anchor or the text around it.
Anchor Do’s
- Make anchors specific: “shipping rules,” “returns window,” “setup guide.”
- Match the anchor to the piece of the topic the page covers.
- Use plain words. No jargon unless your readers expect it.
Anchor Don’ts
- Stuffing the same phrase across the page.
- Linking whole paragraphs.
- Clickbait-style anchors that don’t match the landing page.
When A Page Has Lots Of Links By Design
Some pages exist to route the user. Think hubs, sitemaps, or product grids. These pages can hold many links without hurting clarity. Keep sections labeled, add short blurbs under each item, and trim duplicates. Group items by task, not by how you want to rank.
Navigation Heaviness And What To Watch
- Mega-menus are fine if they load fast and stay accessible.
- Footers can be long on enterprise sites. Group links and trim dead items each quarter.
- Filters and facets should block bots from endless empty paths. Use clear rules and clean URLs.
Realistic Ranges You Can Ship With Confidence
These ranges assume a standard template with header, footer, and maybe a sidebar. They target body links that live inside the main content. The goal is a page that reads clean and helps users move one step ahead.
| Page Type | Content Length | Body Link Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/How-to | 800–1,500 words | 6–15 |
| Deep Guide | 1,500–3,000 words | 12–30 |
| News/Update | 500–1,000 words | 3–10 |
| Category/Hub | Variable | Dozens are normal if grouped and labeled |
| Product Page | 300–1,200 words | 3–12 |
Rel Attributes, Noindex Cases, And When To Pull Back
Use rel="nofollow" and friends in clear cases only. Paid placements and user-generated areas often need it. If a page exists only for filters or thin lists, trim it or keep it out of the index. That keeps crawl activity on pages that matter.
Simple Rules You Can Apply
- Paid or sponsored? Add
rel="sponsored"on those outbound links. - User-added links? Add
rel="ugc"where users can post. - Random tag clouds? Prune. Send equity where it helps the reader.
Content Design Tricks That Keep Links Under Control
Better structure trims link bloat without losing depth. You can still send readers to all the good resources, just with cleaner pacing.
Design Moves
- Use short intro cards for key related guides rather than sprinkling many anchors in one paragraph.
- Add a compact TOC on long posts. That helps scanning and trims repeated jump links.
- Break long lists into tabs or accordions that load fast and remain crawlable.
Copy Moves
- One promise per link. If a sentence has two separate promises, split the sentence.
- Cut links to thin pages. Fold that thin content into stronger pages, then link there.
- When you cite data, link once to the exact source and move on.
Troubleshooting: Signs You Have Too Many Links
Use this quick set of checks during edits. If two or more show up, trim links or restructure.
Red Flags
- Readers skip the body because the nav and sidebar already fill the screen.
- Paragraphs with three or more anchors feel jumpy to read.
- Analytics shows weak scroll depth and high pogo-sticking on link-heavy pages.
- Search Console reports thin or duplicate pages created by filters or tags.
Simple Process To Set Link Counts Per Template
Set guardrails so writers and editors don’t guess every time. Keep this light and practical.
Four Steps
- Pick targets: For each topic, list the two or three internal pages that best extend the task.
- Set ranges: Use the body link ranges above per page type and length.
- Map anchors: Draft anchors that match the landing page promise.
- QA pass: Read on mobile. Cut duplicates. Move extra links into one neat list at the end.
FAQ-Free Closing Guidance
You don’t need a rigid cap. Ship pages where links guide the next step, the layout stays clean, and sources are precise. Keep body link counts inside a sensible range, and let page type lead the way. Use descriptive anchors, prune thin targets, and keep crawlers on pages that matter. With that, your pages will read better and index cleanly.