Internal Linking Optimizer

1---2name: internal-linking-optimizer3description: 'Optimize internal links: site architecture, authority distribution, orphan pages, crawl depth analysis. 内链优化/站内架构'4version: "9.0.0"5license: Apache-2.06compatibility: "Claude Code ≥1.0, skills.sh marketplace, ClawHub marketplace, Vercel Labs skills ecosystem. No system packages required. Optional: MCP network access for SEO tool integrations."7homepage: "https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills"8when_to_use: "Use when improving internal link structure, anchor text distribution, orphan pages, or site architecture."9argument-hint: "<URL or sitemap>"10metadata:11  author: aaron-he-zhu12  version: "9.0.0"13  geo-relevance: "low"14  tags:15    - seo16    - internal-linking17    - site-architecture18    - link-equity19    - orphan-pages20    - topical-authority21    - crawl-depth22    - 内链优化23    - 内部リンク24    - 내부링크25    - enlaces-internos26  triggers:27    # EN-formal28    - "fix internal links"29    - "improve site architecture"30    - "link structure"31    - "distribute page authority"32    - "internal linking strategy"33    - "site navigation"34    - "link equity"35    # EN-casual36    - "orphan pages"37    - "site architecture is messy"38    - "pages have no links pointing to them"39    - "pages have no links"40    - "site structure is messy"41    # EN-question42    - "how to improve internal linking"43    - "how to fix orphan pages"44    # ZH-pro45    - "内链优化"46    - "站内链接"47    - "网站架构"48    - "权重传递"49    - "锚文本优化"50    # ZH-casual51    - "内链怎么做"52    - "孤立页面"53    - "网站结构乱"54    # JA55    - "内部リンク最適化"56    - "サイト構造"57    - "サイト構造改善"58    - "孤立ページ"59    - "内部リンク戦略"60    - "アンカーテキスト最適化"61    # KO62    - "내부 링크 최적화"63    - "사이트 구조"64    - "사이트 구조 개선"65    - "고아 페이지"66    - "앵커 텍스트"67    # ES68    - "enlaces internos"69    - "arquitectura del sitio"70    - "páginas huérfanas"71    - "estructura del sitio"72    # PT73    - "links internos"74    - "arquitetura do site"75    - "páginas órfãs"76    # Misspellings77    - "internal linkng"78---79 80# Internal Linking Optimizer81 82 83> **[SEO & GEO Skills Library](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills)** · 20 skills for SEO + GEO · [ClawHub](https://clawhub.ai/u/aaron-he-zhu) · [skills.sh](https://skills.sh/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills)84> **System Mode**: This optimization skill follows the shared [Skill Contract](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/references/skill-contract.md) and [State Model](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/references/state-model.md).85 86 87This skill analyzes your site's internal link structure and provides recommendations to improve SEO through strategic internal linking. It helps distribute authority, establish topical relevance, and improve crawlability.88 89**System role**: Optimization layer skill. It turns weak pages, structures, and technical issues into prioritized repair work.90 91## When This Must Trigger92 93Use this when the conversation involves a diagnosis or repair plan that should feed directly into remediation work — even if the user doesn't use SEO terminology:94 95- Improving site architecture for SEO96- Distributing authority to important pages97- Fixing orphan pages with no internal links98- Creating topic cluster internal link strategies99- Optimizing anchor text for SEO100- Recovering pages that have lost rankings101- Planning internal links for new content102 103## What This Skill Does104 1051. **Link Structure Analysis**: Maps current internal linking patterns1062. **Authority Flow Mapping**: Shows how PageRank flows through site1073. **Orphan Page Detection**: Finds pages with no internal links1084. **Anchor Text Optimization**: Improves anchor text diversity1095. **Topic Cluster Linking**: Creates pillar-cluster link strategies1106. **Link Opportunity Finding**: Identifies where to add links1117. **Navigation Optimization**: Improves site-wide link elements112 113## Quick Start114 115Start with one of these prompts. Finish with a short handoff summary using the repository format in [Skill Contract](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/references/skill-contract.md).116 117### Analyze Current Structure118 119```120Analyze internal linking structure for [domain/sitemap]121```122 123```124Find internal linking opportunities for [URL]125```126 127### Create Linking Strategy128 129```130Create internal linking plan for topic cluster about [topic]131```132 133```134Suggest internal links for this new article: [content/URL]135```136 137### Fix Issues138 139```140Find orphan pages on [domain]141```142 143```144Optimize anchor text across the site145```146 147## Skill Contract148 149**Expected output**: a scored diagnosis, prioritized repair plan, and a short handoff summary ready for `memory/audits/`.150 151- **Reads**: the current page or site state, symptoms, prior audits, and current priorities from [CLAUDE.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/CLAUDE.md) and the shared [State Model](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/references/state-model.md) when available.152- **Writes**: a user-facing audit or optimization plan plus a reusable summary that can be stored under `memory/audits/`.153- **Promotes**: blocking defects, repeated weaknesses, and fix priorities to `memory/open-loops.md` and `memory/decisions.md`.154- **Next handoff**: use the `Next Best Skill` below when the repair path is clear.155 156### Handoff Summary157 158Emit this shape when finishing the skill (see [skill-contract.md §Handoff Summary Format](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/references/skill-contract.md) for the authoritative format):159 160- **Status**: DONE / DONE_WITH_CONCERNS / BLOCKED / NEEDS_INPUT161- **Objective**: what was analyzed, created, or fixed162- **Key Findings / Output**: the highest-signal result163- **Evidence**: URLs, data points, or sections reviewed164- **Open Loops**: blockers, missing inputs, or unresolved risks165- **Recommended Next Skill**: one primary next move166 167## Data Sources168 169> **Note:** All integrations are optional. This skill works without any API keys — users provide data manually when no tools are connected.170 171> See [CONNECTORS.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/CONNECTORS.md) for tool category placeholders.172 173**Scraping legality**: Before crawling any domain that is not your own or not under written authorization, verify `robots.txt` disallows, respect `Crawl-delay`, and confirm target TOS permits automated access. See [SECURITY.md §Scraping Boundaries](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/SECURITY.md).174 175**With ~~web crawler + ~~analytics connected:**176Claude can automatically perform a full site crawl via ~~web crawler to map the complete link graph, fetch page performance metrics from ~~analytics to identify high-value pages, and analyze link flow throughout the site. This enables data-driven internal linking strategies.177 178**With manual data only:**179Ask the user to provide:1801. Sitemap URL or list of important pages1812. Key page URLs that need more internal links1823. Content categories or topic clusters1834. Any existing link structure documentation184 185Proceed with the analysis using provided data. Note in the output which findings are from automated crawl vs. manual review.186 187## Instructions188 189When a user requests internal linking optimization:190 1911. **Analyze Current Internal Link Structure**192 193   ```markdown194   ## Internal Link Structure Analysis195   196   ### Overview197   198   **Domain**: [domain]199   **Total Pages Analyzed**: [X]200   **Total Internal Links**: [X]201   **Average Links per Page**: [X]202   203   ### Link Distribution204   205   | Links per Page | Page Count | Percentage |206   |----------------|------------|------------|207   | 0 (Orphan) | [X] | [X]% |208   | 1-5 | [X] | [X]% |209   | 6-10 | [X] | [X]% |210   | 11-20 | [X] | [X]% |211   | 20+ | [X] | [X]% |212   213   ### Top Linked Pages214   215   | Page | Internal Links | Authority | Notes |216   |------|----------------|-----------|-------|217   | [URL 1] | [X] | High | [notes] |218   | [URL 2] | [X] | High | [notes] |219   | [URL 3] | [X] | Medium | [notes] |220   221   ### Under-Linked Important Pages222   223   | Page | Current Links | Traffic | Recommended Links |224   |------|---------------|---------|-------------------|225   | [URL 1] | [X] | [X]/mo | [X]+ |226   | [URL 2] | [X] | [X]/mo | [X]+ |227   228   **Structure Score**: [X]/10229   ```230 2312. **Identify Orphan Pages**232 233   ```markdown234   ## Orphan Page Analysis235   236   ### Definition237   Orphan pages have no internal links pointing to them, making them 238   hard for users and search engines to discover.239   240   ### Orphan Pages Found: [X]241   242   | Page | Traffic | Priority | Recommended Action |243   |------|---------|----------|-------------------|244   | [URL 1] | [X]/mo | High | Link from [pages] |245   | [URL 2] | [X]/mo | Medium | Add to navigation |246   | [URL 3] | 0 | Low | Consider deleting/redirecting |247   248   ### Fix Strategy249   250   **High Priority Orphans** (have traffic/rankings):251   1. [URL] - Add links from: [relevant pages]252   2. [URL] - Add links from: [relevant pages]253   254   **Medium Priority Orphans** (potentially valuable):255   1. [URL] - Add to category/tag page256   2. [URL] - Link from related content257   258   **Low Priority Orphans** (consider removing):259   1. [URL] - Redirect to [better page]260   2. [URL] - Delete or noindex261   ```262 2633. **Analyze Anchor Text Distribution** — Current anchor patterns, distribution-by-page breakdown, over-optimization/generic flag, per-page recommendations (CORE-EEAT R08)264 265   > **Reference**: See [references/linking-templates.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-templates.md) for the anchor text analysis template (Step 3) including the CORE-EEAT R08 alignment note.266 2674. **Create Topic Cluster Link Strategy** — Map current pillar/cluster links, recommend link structure, list specific links to add268 269   > **Reference**: See [references/linking-templates.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-templates.md) for the topic cluster link strategy template (Step 4).270 2715. **Find Contextual Link Opportunities** — Analyze each page for topic-relevant link opportunities, prioritize high-impact additions272 273   > **Reference**: See [references/linking-templates.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-templates.md) for the contextual link opportunities template (Step 5).274 2756. **Optimize Navigation and Footer Links** — Analyze main/footer/sidebar/breadcrumb navigation, recommend pages to add or remove276 277   > **Reference**: See [references/linking-templates.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-templates.md) for the navigation optimization template (Step 6).278 2797. **Generate Link Implementation Plan** — Executive summary, current state metrics, phased priority actions (weeks 1-4+), implementation guide, tracking plan280 281   > **Reference**: See [references/linking-templates.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-templates.md) for the full implementation plan template (Step 7).282 283## Validation Checkpoints284 285### Input Validation286- [ ] Site structure or sitemap provided (URL or file)287- [ ] Target pages or topic clusters clearly defined288- [ ] If optimizing specific page, page URL or content provided289 290### Output Validation291- [ ] Every recommendation cites specific data points (not generic advice)292- [ ] All link suggestions include source page, target page, and recommended anchor text293- [ ] Orphan page lists include URLs and recommended actions294- [ ] Source of each data point clearly stated (~~web crawler data, ~~analytics, user-provided, or manual analysis)295 296## Example297 298**User**: "Find internal linking opportunities for my blog post on 'email marketing best practices'"299 300**Output** (abbreviated): 5 high-value links identified — `/blog/grow-email-list/` for "building your email list" (para 2), `/blog/email-subject-lines/` for "subject lines" (para 5), `/blog/email-segmentation-guide/` for "audience segments", `/services/email-automation/` for CTA section, `/blog/best-email-tools/` for conclusion — each with paragraph location and recommended anchor text.301 302> **Reference**: See [references/linking-example.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-example.md) for the full worked example (email marketing best practices internal linking opportunities).303 304## Tips for Success305 3061. **Quality over quantity** - Add relevant links, not random ones3072. **User-first thinking** - Links should help users navigate3083. **Vary anchor text** - Avoid over-optimization3094. **Link to important pages** - Distribute authority strategically3105. **Regular audits** - Internal links need maintenance as content grows311 312 313### Save Results314 315After delivering audit or optimization findings to the user, ask:316 317> "Save these results for future sessions?"318 319If yes, write a dated summary to `memory/audits/internal-linking-optimizer/YYYY-MM-DD-<topic>.md` containing:320- One-line verdict or headline finding321- Top 3-5 actionable items322- Open loops or blockers323- Source data references324 325If any veto-level issue was found (CORE-EEAT T04, C01, R10 or CITE T03, T05, T09), also append a one-liner to `memory/hot-cache.md` without asking.326 327## Reference Materials328 329- [Link Architecture Patterns](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/link-architecture-patterns.md) — Architecture models (hub-and-spoke, silo, flat, pyramid, mesh), anchor text diversity framework, link equity flow model, and internal link audit checklist330- [Linking Templates](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-templates.md) — Detailed output templates for steps 3-7 (anchor text analysis, topic cluster strategy, contextual opportunities, navigation optimization, implementation plan)331- [Linking Example](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/internal-linking-optimizer/references/linking-example.md) — Full worked example for internal linking opportunities332 333## Next Best Skill334 335- **Primary**: [on-page-seo-auditor](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/optimize/on-page-seo-auditor/SKILL.md) — verify that revised internal links support the page-level goals.