The Links Report in Google Search Console is a very useful tool for understanding how links on the web are connected to your website. This report provides insights into both internal and external linking strategies, making it a vital component of your SEO toolset.

Here's a quick guide on how to use the Links Report in Google Search Console

Understanding the Links Report

• External Links: These are the links from other websites that point to your site. Google Search Console breaks down this section into 'Top linking sites', 'Top linked pages' and 'Top linking text'.

• Internal Links: These are the links from your own site that point to other pages on your site. It's important for navigation and helps Google understand the structure and hierarchy of your website.

• Top Linking Sites: This section shows the domains that link to your website the most. It's a valuable tool for understanding who is linking to you and could potentially be leveraged for outreach or partnership opportunities.

• Top Linked Pages: These are the most linked pages on your site from both external and internal sources. Understanding this data can help you understand which of your content is being perceived as valuable by other sites.

• Top Linking Text: This section displays the most common link anchor text. This information can help you understand how other sites are describing your content.

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How to use the links report

Here are some steps to follow when using the Links Report:

• Access the Report: Login to your Google Search Console account and select your property (website). On the left panel, click on "Links."

• Analyse External Links: Check the number of links from other websites, the top linking sites, and the top linked pages. You can click on the numbers or arrows to see a more detailed list. Look out for any suspicious or low-quality sites. If necessary, consider disavowing spammy links.

• Analyse Internal Links: Check which of your pages are most linked internally. This report can help you optimise your internal linking strategy to spread link equity and guide Google crawlers around your site.

• Analyse Top Linking Text: Review the most used anchor texts. Are they relevant to your site's content? Keep in mind that the linking text should give users and search engines context about the content they're about to see.

How to leverage the links report for an SEO advantage.

• Identify High-Value Backlinks: Use the report to identify which high-authority sites are linking to your site. You could leverage these relationships for further opportunities or aim to gain more backlinks from similar reputable sites.

• Spot Opportunities for Internal Linking: Look for popular pages that could benefit from additional internal links. Can you link to these pages from other relevant content on your site to improve navigation and spread link equity?

• Analyse Anchor Text: Use the report to understand how others are describing your site. If the anchor text is not relevant or misleading, consider reaching out to the webmaster to request a change.

• Monitor for Spammy Links: Regularly check your report for any low-quality or spammy links that could harm your site's reputation. If necessary, disavow these links.

• Monitor Top Linked Pages: Keep an eye on the pages that get the most links. Are they your most important or highest-quality pages? If not, you might need to rethink your content or SEO strategy.

Remember, the Links Report is just one of many tools within Google Search Console. Using it in conjunction with other reports will give you the most comprehensive overview of your site's performance in Google Search.

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