| name | seo-aeo-internal-linking |
| description | ALWAYS use this when the request matches SEO AEO Internal Linking: Maps internal link opportunities between pages with anchor text, placement instructions, orphan page detection, and cannibalization checks. |
SEO-AEO Internal Linking
Selective Reading Rule
Start with:
references/senior-master-standard.mdreferences/usage-routing.mdreferences/quality-checklist.md
Then load only the inherited docs, scripts, assets, or examples that match the user's actual task.
Overview
Analyses a set of pages and produces a prioritised list of internal link opportunities with exact anchor text, a context sentence showing where each link should appear, orphan page detection, anchor text cannibalization warnings, and a link equity map showing how authority flows across the content.
Part of the SEO-AEO Engine.
When to Use This Skill
- Use when building internal links between a new pillar page and its cluster articles
- Use when auditing an existing site for orphan pages
- Use after content-cluster generates a topic map
- Use when you need anchor text suggestions with placement context
How It Works
Step 1: Detect Orphan Pages
Flag any page with zero incoming internal links. These are invisible to search engines and must be linked immediately.
Step 2: Build Semantic Overlap Matrix
Match pages by primary keyword similarity and content summary to identify natural linking opportunities.
Step 3: Assign Link Types
Every suggestion gets one of four labels:
- Cluster → Pillar — highest priority, consolidates authority upward
- Pillar → Cluster — distributes authority downward
- Cluster → Cluster — builds semantic depth
- Contextual Boost — concentrates equity on a focus page
Step 4: Write Context Sentences
For every link opportunity, write the sentence the anchor text should appear in — naturally placed, not forced.
Step 5: Check Anchor Text
Flag any exact-match anchor used more than once for the same target page as a cannibalization risk. Never use generic anchors like "click here".
Examples
Example: Link Opportunity Output
🔴 High Priority — Link 1
Type: Cluster → Pillar
Source: "How to Build a Budget That Actually Works"
Target: "The Complete Guide to Automated Budgeting"
Anchor: "automated budgeting guide"
Context: "For a full breakdown of every method available,
see our [automated budgeting guide]."
Impact: Consolidates topical authority on pillar page.
Orphan Alert:
"PennyWise Pricing Page" has no incoming links.
Fix: Add link from comparison table in Article 2.
Best Practices
- ✅ Do: Every cluster article must have at least one Cluster → Pillar link
- ✅ Do: Write a context sentence for every suggestion — anchor text needs natural placement
- ✅ Do: Fix orphan pages before adding any new links
- ❌ Don't: Use the same exact-match anchor for the same target page more than once
- ❌ Don't: Use "click here", "read more", or "learn more" as anchor text — ever
- ❌ Don't: Add more than 100 outgoing internal links on any single page
Common Pitfalls
-
Problem: All cluster articles link to the pillar but not to each other
Solution: Add Cluster → Cluster links between semantically related articles to build depth.
-
Problem: Same anchor text used across multiple pages for the same target
Solution: Use partial match and branded anchors for subsequent links after the first exact-match use.
Related Skills
@seo-aeo-content-cluster — generates the cluster map this skill links together@seo-aeo-schema-generator — uses link map output for BreadcrumbList schema
Additional Resources
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
