What is the difference between internal and external links?

Internal links and external links are both important for website structure and SEO, but they serve different purposes and connect to different destinations:

1. **Internal Links**:
   - **Definition**: Internal links are hyperlinks that point from one page on a domain to a different page on the same domain.
   - **Purpose**: They are used to create navigation within the website and establish a hierarchy and structure for the site's content.
   - **Example**: Linking from a blog post to another relevant blog post on the same website, or linking from a product page to a detailed product description page within the same domain.

2. **External Links**:
   - **Definition**: External links, also known as outbound links, are hyperlinks that point from one domain to a different domain.
   - **Purpose**: They provide references or citations to other websites, resources, or sources of information outside of your own website.
   - **Example**: Linking from a blog post on your website to a research paper or news article on a different website, or linking from a product page to a manufacturer's website.

**Key Differences**:

- **Destination**: Internal links point to pages within the same domain, while external links point to pages on different domains.
 
- **Purpose**: Internal links are primarily for website navigation, user experience, and establishing a site structure. External links are often used to provide additional information, sources, or references that support or supplement the content on your website.

- **SEO Impact**: Both types of links impact SEO differently. Internal links help distribute link equity (ranking power) throughout your website and improve crawlability and indexation of your pages. External links can enhance credibility and authority if linking to reputable and relevant external sources.

- **Control**: You have full control over internal links within your website. External links depend on other websites and their content, so you have less control over how they appear or if they may change.

In summary, while both internal and external links are important for SEO and user experience, understanding their differences and how to strategically use each type can help optimize your website effectively.