| name | internal-linking |
| description | Plans internal link structure using content silos. Outputs link map with SEO priority. Does not create links. |
Internal Linking Skill
Purpose
Outputs internal link structure using content silo architecture. SEO-focused link equity distribution.
Primary Objective
Push link equity to money pages (silo tops) through structured silos.
Not "pretty web" — strategic authority building.
Skill Output
silos: [...]
link_map: [...]
link_requirements: [...]
orphan_check: [...]
Input
site_structure:
silos:
- name: "house-removals"
top: "/services/house-removals"
areas: ["/areas/bath", "/areas/bristol"]
articles: ["/blog/moving-costs", "/blog/packing-tips"]
- name: "office-removals"
top: "/services/office-removals"
areas: ["/areas/bath-office"]
articles: ["/blog/office-moving-guide"]
standalone:
- { url: "/calculator", type: "tool", priority: 1 }
- { url: "/contact", type: "conversion" }
- { url: "/about", type: "info" }
Content Silo Rules
Silo Structure
Homepage
│
├── SILO: House Removals
│ ├── /services/house-removals ← SILO TOP (money page)
│ ├── /areas/bath ← links UP to silo top
│ ├── /areas/bristol ← links UP to silo top
│ └── /blog/moving-costs ← links UP to silo top
│
└── SILO: Office Removals
├── /services/office-removals ← SILO TOP (money page)
└── /blog/office-guide ← links UP to silo top
Silo Linking Rules
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|
| Intra-silo | Encouraged — link freely within silo |
| Cross-silo | Limited — max 1-2 per page |
| Silo top receives | Links from ALL pages in silo |
| Areas/Blog | ALWAYS link to parent silo top |
| Homepage | Links to ALL silo tops |
Cross-Silo Linking (Restricted)
| From | To | Allowed |
|---|
| Service → Service | Different silo | Max 1 "related service" |
| Area → Area | Different silo | NO (only nearby same-silo) |
| Blog → Blog | Different silo | Max 1 if highly relevant |
| Blog → Service | Different silo | NO |
Link Budget Per Page
| Page Type | Max Outbound | Intra-silo | Cross-silo |
|---|
| Homepage | 25 | N/A | All silo tops |
| Service (silo top) | 15 | Unlimited | 2 max |
| Area page | 10 | 5+ | 1 max |
| Article | 12 | 3+ required | 1 max |
| Calculator | 5 | N/A | 2 (results only) |
Inbound Requirements
Minimum Inbound Links
| Page Type | Minimum | Priority Sources |
|---|
| Silo top (service) | 5 | Homepage, all silo areas, all silo articles |
| Area page | 3 | Silo top, nearby areas, 1 article |
| Article | 2 | Silo top, related articles |
| Calculator | 4 | Homepage, ALL silo tops |
| Homepage | 1+ | Nav/logo from all pages |
Inbound Priority Order
For silo tops (money pages), inbound links should come from:
- Homepage (highest value)
- Same-silo areas (relevance)
- Same-silo articles (content support)
- Other silo tops (1 max, related service)
Anchor Text Rules
Limits
| Anchor Type | Per Page | Per Target (total inbound) |
|---|
| Exact match keyword | 1 max | 3 max site-wide |
| Service name | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Branded | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Generic | 0 in body | Nav/footer only |
Anchor Patterns
| Target Type | Use |
|---|
| Silo top | Service name, "our {service}" |
| Area | "{service} in {area}", "{area} removals" |
| Article | Topic phrase, question |
| Calculator | "get quote", "instant price", "calculate" |
| Homepage | Brand name, "home" |
Forbidden Anchors
- ❌ "click here" in body content
- ❌ "read more" in body content
- ❌ "learn more" in body content
- ❌ Same exact-match anchor 4+ times to one target
Blog as Link Pump
Blog's primary job: push equity to silo tops.
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|
| Every article | MUST link to parent silo top |
| Link placement | Within first 3 paragraphs |
| Anchor | Service-focused, not generic |
| Cross-silo | Max 1 link, only if highly relevant |
| Blog → Blog | Max 2 "related posts" |
article: "/blog/moving-costs"
silo: "house-removals"
required_outbound:
- target: "/services/house-removals"
anchor: "house removals service"
placement: "body, paragraph 2"
optional_outbound:
- target: "/blog/packing-tips"
anchor: "packing guide"
Calculator Page (Special)
High-priority inbound, minimal outbound.
| Direction | Rule |
|---|
| Inbound | From homepage + ALL silo tops |
| Outbound | Max 5: logo home + 2 in results |
| No nav | Minimal header, no full nav |
Link Map Output
link_map:
- page: "/services/house-removals"
silo: "house-removals"
role: "silo_top"
outbound:
- { to: "/", anchor: "Home", section: "breadcrumb" }
- { to: "/calculator", anchor: "Get your quote", section: "cta" }
- { to: "/services/packing", anchor: "packing service", section: "related", cross_silo: true }
- { to: "/areas/bath", anchor: "removals in Bath", section: "areas" }
inbound_required:
- { from: "/", min: 1 }
- { from: "/areas/*", min: 2 }
- { from: "/blog/*", min: 1 }
inbound_actual: 4
status: "healthy"
Orphan Prevention
| Check | Rule |
|---|
| Orphan | 0 inbound links → BLOCKER |
| Weak | Below minimum → WARNING |
| Healthy | At/above minimum → OK |
orphan_check:
orphan_pages: []
weak_pages:
- { url: "/areas/gloucester", inbound: 1, minimum: 3 }
healthy_pages: 10
Blocking Conditions (STOP)
| Condition | Result |
|---|
| Orphan page exists | STOP — fix before deploy |
| Silo top has <3 inbound | STOP — add links |
| No silo definition | STOP — define silos first |
| Cross-silo >3 on any page | STOP — reduce |
Non-goals
- Does NOT create actual links
- Does NOT handle external links
- Does NOT track performance
- Does NOT analyze competitors
- Does NOT audit existing sites
Forbidden
- ❌ Orphan pages
- ❌ Generic anchors in body
- ❌ Exact match anchor >3 times to one target
- ❌ Blog not linking to silo top
- ❌ Cross-silo >3 per page
- ❌ Area linking to different-silo area
References
Definition of Done
