Google: There Is No Internal Linking Over Optimization Penalty

Feb 11, 2019 - 8:11 am 5 by

Google Internal Links

Gary Illyes from Google in his Reddit AMA said that Google does not have an internal linking over optimization penalty. He went on to say, in his Gary tone, "you can abuse your internal links as much as you want AFAIK."

Here was the question:

Straightforward question: is there an internal linking overoptimization penalty?

I'm not talking about keyword stuffing the anchor text, but using a relevant anchor repeatedly and adding internal links from relevant pages in batches (dozens at the same time) to a specific page.

Is it possible that this is interpreted by Google as manipulative, even if it's internal linking?

Here is Gary's answer:

No, you can abuse your internal links as much as you want AFAIK.

Matt Cutts said something very similar back in 2013, John Mueller confirmed internal links are different but also said internal links anchor text does matter.

Forum discussion at Reddit.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 4, 2025

Jul 4, 2025 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google June 2025 Core Update, Search Volatility, Insights Report, Ads & More

Jul 4, 2025 - 8:01 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Tests Zoomable & Sticky Related Searches

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google

Google AI Mode Can Respond In Non-English Languages

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Search

Bing Tests Local Place Listings In Green

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Merchant Center Gains Automatic Shipping Updates

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Google Posts Content Now In Some Google Local Listings