Did you know that over 8% of SEO specialists say internal links are the most important ranking factor? Yeah, it surprised me too. And get this—nearly 42% of marketers actually spend just as much time on internal links as they do on external ones. right?
Now, if you’re sitting there wondering how to actually handle your internal linking strategies—especially if you’re on WordPress—you’re not alone. The good news is, there are some pretty solid tools out there that can help.
One of the big ones is Link Whisper—super popular plugin, really good at what it does. But here’s the thing: it’s not your only option. There are a bunch of other SEO tools or plugins that are just as helpful, maybe even better depending on what you need.
But first, let’s back up a sec and talk about why internal linking even matters, because, honestly, it’s one of those things people tend to overlook. So, let’s dive in.
Read our full review of Link Whisper internal linking plugin.
What’s the Big Deal About Internal Linking?
Okay, internal linking is basically when you connect different pages or posts on your site through hyperlinks. Simple, right? But it’s actually a huge part of improving your website’s user experience. You know how annoying it is when you’re looking for more info and there’s no easy way to find it?
Here, internal links solve that problem—they guide users around your site like a friendly tour guide.
And here’s a fun fact for you: according to SEMrush, around 51% of marketers believe every blog post should have at least two internal links. (Not too shocking when you think about it, but still, it’s good to know.)
Google also uses something called “link authority” as a ranking factor. It basically measures how credible and relevant your site is based on your links. So, the more link authority you have, the better your chances of ranking higher in search results.
Internal links help in two big ways: they make it easier for visitors to get around, and they also show search engines how your site is structured. If your linking strategy is solid, search engines might even start indexing and ranking your content faster, which is a win-win.
Now, just a heads-up: when you’re adding internal links, they need to actually make sense for the content you’re providing. Throwing random links in there just to have them? Yeah, that’s not going to do much for you (or your readers, to be honest).
Make sure they’re relevant and contextual—it’ll keep your site clean and easy to navigate.
Handpicked Link Whisper Alternatives for Bloggers and Webmasters
AIOSEO
WordPress is pretty easy to use. But if you’re looking to step up your game with internal linking, diving a bit deeper might give you way better results. And that’s exactly where AIO SEO’s Link Assistant comes in.
This AI-powered tool was built to help you properly structure your internal links—something that, let’s be honest, a lot of us don’t think about enough. With Link Assistant, you can quickly spot opportunities for internal links, and it even helps you create them. That can give your site a serious boost when it comes to search engine rankings. Not too shabby, right?
AIOSEO offers a free version of the plugin, which you can grab right from the WordPress website. But if you’re ready to go all in, they also have four premium versions, each with its own set of advanced features. Here’s the breakdown:
Version | Price/Year | Number of Sites | SEO Revisions |
---|---|---|---|
Elite | $299.60/year | 100 sites | Infinite |
Pro | $199.60/year | 10 sites | 30 SEO Revisions |
Plus | $99.60/year | 3 sites | 15 SEO Revisions |
Basic | $49.60/year | 1 site | 0 SEO Revisions |
Pros of AIO SEO Link Assistant:
- Super beginner-friendly (which is always a plus)
- Free version with unique features
- SEO tools that make optimizing your site easier
- Lets you control tagging, indexing, and search engines
Cons:
- Doesn’t have content analysis or SEO scoring
- No Google Search Console data import
- No customer support with the free version (which, let’s be real, can be a dealbreaker for some)
Rank Math: A Powerful Alternative
Now, if Rank Math isn’t already on your list, it probably should be. This on-page SEO plugin has been around since 2018, and it’s already racked up over a million users. Pretty impressive, right?
Rank Math covers all your on-page SEO needs—from adding meta info to generating sitemaps, managing redirects, and even doing schema markups. Plus, its Link Builder tool? A game-changer. It takes care of the internal linking process for you, automatically adding relevant links to your posts. No more manual linking (which, let’s face it, can be a headache).
Like AIOSEO, Rank Math offers a free version, but if you’re looking for more, they’ve got three premium versions:
Version | Price/Month | Number of Websites | Keyword Tracking |
---|---|---|---|
Agency | $49.99/month | 750 client websites | Track 75,000 keywords |
Business | $20.99/month | 200 client websites | Track 20,000 keywords |
Pro | $6.99/month | Unlimited personal | Track 1000 keywords |
And they’ve got 24/7 customer support for all paid plans (which is always nice to have, especially when you’re knee-deep in SEO tweaks).
Pros of Rank Math:
- Easy-to-use interface (seriously, the layout is super intuitive)
- Free version available
- Works with any WordPress theme or plugin
- You can import settings from other plugins (handy, right?)
- 24/7 customer support for all paid versions
Cons:
- You can’t import settings from Rank Math to other plugins (so, switching later might be a pain)
- It might take a bit of time to get used to all the features (it’s pretty packed)
Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO—you’ve probably heard of it. With over 13 million active users, this plugin is huge in the WordPress world for optimizing content for search engines. It’s one of those plugins everyone talks about, and for good reason.
Yoast comes with both free and premium versions. The free one? Yeah, it’s decent. But if you’re serious about taking your on-page SEO to the next level, the premium version is where it’s at. One of the coolest features in the premium edition is the Internal Linking Suggestion tool. While you’re writing, it suggests links you should include—literally just copy and paste them into your article. Pretty neat, right?
Another handy feature? If one of your internal links suddenly breaks or becomes inaccessible, Yoast will remove it automatically, so you don’t have to worry about dead links ruining your user experience.
Want to take full advantage of Yoast’s internal linking suggestions? You’ll need to go premium. Here’s the breakdown:
Yoast SEO Premium Plugin | All Yoast plugins |
---|---|
$99/year | $229/year |
Early access to new features | 5 Yoast plugins |
Automatically avoid dead links | All online SEO training |
Content & link suggestions | Save lots of money |
Pros of Yoast SEO:
- Super easy to use
- Great for SEO optimization
- Gives you website analysis
- Offers page-by-page optimization tips
Cons:
- Fewer features compared to some other plugins
- Premium version is a bit pricey (especially if you’re on a budget)
Internal Link Juicer
Now, if you’re looking for something that only focuses on internal linking (and nothing else), then Internal Link Juicer might be worth checking out. It’s a specialized tool just for internal links, and it’s built to improve your on-page SEO and user experience.
Here’s how it works: You enter relevant keywords or phrases into the internal linking box, and the plugin automatically configures the right links for your content. That’s actually a huge time-saver. Plus, it makes sure your anchor text looks natural, so it doesn’t feel like you’re just stuffing links everywhere (because let’s face it, nobody likes that).
The best part? You can download Internal Link Juicer for free. But, if you’re working across multiple sites, they’ve got four premium versions that unlock more features depending on how many licenses you need:
1 Site License | 5 Site License | 10 Site License | Unlimited Site License |
---|---|---|---|
$69.99/year | $149.99/year | $189.99/year | $1299.00/year |
Pros of Internal Link Juicer:
- Supports taxonomies and custom fields
- Auto keyword import (which is pretty cool, right?)
- Provides detailed professional stats
Cons:
- The premium prices are kinda steep compared to competitors
- The free version is super limited (honestly, it’s almost a teaser for the paid one)
Autolinks Manager Pro
Another fantastic option for internal linking is Autolinks Manager Pro. Similar to Internal Link Juicer, it’s all about internal links—but here’s the kicker: it automates everything. It adds contextual internal links to your content without you lifting a finger. Nice, right?
This plugin can analyze your content and keywords to automatically place not just internal links but also external and affiliate ones. Pretty versatile, if you ask me. Plus, it gives you some cool insights: complete analytics showing which links are getting the most clicks and where they appear. So, you can stay in the know about what’s really working with your audience.
They offer three premium versions, all with the same features—the only difference is the number of website licenses you get:
Personal | Freelance | Agency |
---|---|---|
$39/year | $79/year | $149/year |
1 Website | 5 Websites | 25 Websites |
Regardless of which plan you pick, you’ll get 12 months of support and updates, along with access to all the pro features.
Pros of Autolinks Manager Pro:
- Fully automated interlinking (saves a ton of time)
- Bulk internal linking capabilities
- Works with custom post types
Cons:
- Not the most beginner-friendly (it might take a bit to get the hang of it)
Links AI-powered Internal Link Builder
Looking for an alternative to Link Whisper? Check out Linksy. It’s another WordPress plugin built for internal linking but operates a bit differently. Using AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP), Linksy focuses on optimizing your internal link structure based on relevance.
One of its neat tricks is that it gives each post a score and suggests relevant semantic keywords for internal linking. That way, you can link your pages and posts in a way that feels natural and contextual—no more awkward links shoved in just for the sake of it.
Some of Linksy’s standout features include an Internal Link Report, Domain Report, Anchor Cloud, and Keyword Intent, all designed to give you a clearer picture of your internal linking strategy.
When it comes to pricing, Linksy offers both annual and lifetime options, depending on how committed you are:
1 Site | 3 Sites | 10 Sites |
---|---|---|
$59/year | $118/year | $219/year |
Pros of Linksy:
- Optimizes content for search intent (super helpful for user experience)
- Fully automated linking system
- In-depth analysis of your internal link-building strategy
- User-friendly interface (always a plus, right?)
Cons:
- No free version (which can be a bummer)
- Prices are on the higher side compared to competitors
Advanced Tips and Tricks for Effective Internal Linking
I’ve talked before adding internal links can really improve your site SEO, but—just tossing in links wherever won’t cut it. You need some advanced strategies to get the best results. Here are a few pro tips to keep in mind when adding those internal links.
Always Link to Relevant Sources
First off, make sure you’re linking to your high-authority pages. Why? Because these pages already have a lot of backlinks from trustworthy sites, which means they carry more weight in Google’s eyes. Linking to them? It adds some serious credibility to your own content. Think of it as borrowing some of their “SEO juice.”
Avoid Orphaned Content
One thing you definitely should avoid is orphaned content. If a post doesn’t have any internal links pointing to it, it’s like leaving it out in the cold—it won’t get much attention from search engines or users. Make sure all your posts are linked to, so they’re part of the bigger picture and not left floating around aimlessly.
Check for Broken Internal Links
Every now and then, you might need to delete some content. But here’s the thing: if that content had internal links pointing to it, suddenly those links go nowhere. Not great for SEO, right? Broken links can really hurt the user experience, so it’s a good idea to regularly monitor your site for them.
The good news is, some plugins can help you out by alerting you when internal links break (which is a lifesaver, honestly).
Link to New Posts
Don’t forget to add internal links to your new posts. This helps prevent orphaned content and speeds up how fast Google indexes your new stuff. Just make sure that when you do link, it’s relevant to the content—it shouldn’t feel random or forced.
Nothing’s worse than clicking a link and thinking, “Wait, what does this have to do with anything?”
How to Decide If a Paid Plugin is Worth the Investment
So, you’re probably wondering if investing in a paid internal linking plugin is worth it. Will it really boost your rankings? Well, but only if you’re using a quality plugin and sticking to best SEO practices.
Take a good look at the alternatives to Link Whisper that I’ve talked about. If you’re on a tight budget, the free versions of these plugins can still get the job done. But if you’re serious about improving your site’s SEO and saving time, upgrading to a premium version might be worth the money.
Here’s the thing: figure out where your site needs the most improvement. If a plugin offers features that can solve your specific issues, paying for the premium version is probably the smarter move.
If you ask me, Internal Link Juicer is hands down the best alternative from pretty much every angle.
Conclusion
Internal linking is a must for SEO. It helps search engines understand your site’s structure and improves your traffic flow, which is always a good thing. Whether you go with Link Whisper, Internal Link Juicer, or another plugin, they all help your SEO in different ways.
At the end of the day, though, I personally think Internal Link Juicer is leading the way when it comes to accurate and effective internal linking.