A sitewide link is a hyperlink that appears on every page of a website, usually in the header, footer, or sidebar. These links are often used for site navigation, making it easy for users to access important pages, such as the homepage, contact page, or terms and conditions.
However, sitewide links can also be used for external linking, such as promoting partner sites, social media profiles, or advertising.
While sitewide links can improve user experience and navigation, they can also have an impact on SEO.
When a sitewide link points to an external site, it can pass a significant amount of link equity, potentially boosting the linked site’s search engine rankings.
However, search engines like Google have become more sophisticated in identifying and evaluating sitewide links, ensuring that they don’t disproportionately influence rankings.
Here are some helpful resources for understanding sitewide links and their impact on SEO:
- Google’s guidance on sitewide links – Matt Cutts, former head of Google’s webspam team, discusses sitewide links and their effect on search rankings.
- Moz’s guide on site structure – This resource covers the importance of site structure, including sitewide links, for SEO and user experience.
- Ahrefs’ guide on link building strategies – This comprehensive guide discusses various link building strategies, including the use of sitewide links.
It’s important to be cautious when using sitewide links, especially for external linking, as they may be seen as manipulative or unnatural by search engines.
Ensure that sitewide links are relevant, useful, and add value to your site’s visitors. If used correctly, they can enhance the user experience and contribute to your overall SEO strategy.