→High Bounce Rate? Your internal links are DUMB! Here is the Ultimate FIX!
If 197 of the 300 visitors did not click any link on your blog! (That is, they landed on a post and closed the window without clicking on any related post or any link on your blog).
You need to bring this to a figure below 50 to improve SEO.
High bounce rate means something is wrong with your blog. It does not keep its visitors and that's not good for SEO. Well, maybe you have just one blog post. However, if you have many articles and the rate is still very high, then a couple of things have to be done.
I have read beautiful posts on how to reduce your bounce rate. Recently, my friend of NoToPoverty did a publication on this. You can check his post out here.
These are all beautiful posts I recommend you check them out. However, I want to dwell more on one of the strategies shared by all of these articles. This is what we most probably do on every post we publish but I think we are merely scratching the surface.
Most of your visitors don't care about your related posts or any linked article. They simply don't just see those links. Most often, they just read over them. You know why?
Because your internal links are dumb!
The most performing way to reduce bounce rate is to link to other articles on the same blog. While we have plugins to display related articles below our blog posts (and some times on the side bars), linking from within the article is a more effective way to get the readers to click through to other posts. But most of us are doing this the less effective way – the links are dull and sleepy!
How to make your internal links more attractive to lower bounce rate.
1 – Keyword linking: This is simply linking a keyword to an article on your blog. To be quite frank, this is less effective. It has less power to cause the reader to click. More of your readers are blind to this kind of internal link. They are reading your post and suddenly there is a link. Most of us will just read over the link and continue reading. That link is not a strong call to action.
2 – Descriptive linking: This is where you call the readers attention to the link and cause him to click. You get his mind to what is linked. You provide a short description to the linked content. You pick his interest and throw it over to the other page by telling him "click here" This works better.
Ok let's see an example!
Just click here to see how this attractive call to action works. You will be amazed how simple it is.
3 – Using stronger calls to action: There is another way to use a stronger call to action to literally oblige the readers to click. Look at what I just did above. Adrienne is a pro blogger and an icon for many. She loved that article and left a very attractive comment. Now, this is serving as a strong call to action for me.
If you are linking to a post that was very popular, you may want to mention the number of comments, visits or social shares. This will psychologically create an impact on the reader and his next option will be to want to click and see this very popular article.
The problem most of us have is that we write like machines. We completely silence the conversational edge of content writing. If your writing doesn't give space for the reader to react, you are lacking something.
Useful Tips! See your reader before you. It's like he's on the other side of your desk and you both are having a chat. That will make your writing more interactive. It will cause your readers to want to comment, share, click here and there. It's like you are dishing out instructions that must be obeyed with interest.
I'll surely be expecting to see the results.
This is the article which i ever liked. My bounce rate is also high it is 39.56 which is high. I will follow the tips you have provided above let's see what happens..
Only pros really care about bounce rate in my opinion, those fly by night bloggers won't stress too much with bounce rate because they think is insignificantly aspect.
Wrong!!! Is an important aspect and affect your rankings in SERPs. My recommendation apply all tips recommended by my buddy Enstine, also visit articles recommended by him to make sure bounce rate is not a problem anymore. See you next time bro'!
This is funny "fly by night bloggers" and makes me laugh.
Enstine, this is another professionally written article. For me, you've just added a new dimension to improving engagement and lowering bounce rate. We have been so used to the conventional "Must read", "Click here", etc stuff that we have failed to exploit other avenues to improving our writing pattern and then make our readers click on those internal links.
I will definitely practise some of these tips and see how they further lower the bounce rate of my blog. Thanks for the mention; I really appreciate the recognition given to my post on lowering bounce rate.
If we combine the tips in these write-ups and implement them on our blogs, our bounce rate would definitely reduce drastically. Thanks once again for this great piece. Do have a lovely weekend ahead.
A wonderful post. Bounce rates do matter. Lately, I have been researching for a series of posts and came to know that bounce rates are a strong Google search engine ranking signal.
For my own blog, esmeenetwork.com, the bounce rate as per Alexa.com and Google Analytics, is between 35% and 40%.
My best tip is to write content that readers find informative and sprinkle it with strategically placed internal & external links.
No matter how well you write if you don't give people reasons to visit your other posts they may never see it. Linking with your other pages will help put it in the faces of people in your new posts.
These are all awesome articles that suggests links to reduce bounce rate on one's site. I have managed to reduce the bounce rate of my site greatly and this has indeed improved my search engine ranking.
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Hi Enstine, glad you had me check mine, mine went down from the 60's to 50's now since I added CDN and my site is faster. SPEED is another important factor for bounce rates. No one likes to visit a slow website or blog.
Internal linking is key, I always add one to every post I publish – it makes the website flow better too.
How much Bounce Rate is normal?
Enstine Muki recently posted…High Bounce Rate? Your internal links are DUMB! Here is the Ultimate FIX!
Being a new blogger, I was not aware of these issues! Thanks to you now I know how to improve my links.
Some time ago I did read a post about installing a code to reduce your bounce rate. Also, once my bounce rate reduced to about 1 or 2 percent, and later I read that such is the case when you paste your Google Analytics code twice. When I checked, it really was pasted twice by mistake!
Anyways, I totally agree that we do two types of internal linking – one for the search engines and the other for our human visitors. The links that you really want your visitors to click should be represented by anchor texts like "click here" etc, or simply mentioned in full with a prefix "read here" etc.
Your examples are right spot on for stronger calls to action for your internal linking, and they should be used in every post. I'd say never go by your Alexa bounce rates, they are way different than your Google Analytics bounce rate stats. I wonder why they vary so much though!
Awesome and powerful post EM you make some valid points!
A few weeks ago I wrote on the subject of Email newsletters which ended up being a tutorial on them!
I found that it was turning into a very long blog post of more than 3000 words so I decided to split it into a 2 parter the second being published on the second day!
What I did is put 'Click HERE for Part Two' at the end of the part one blog post and at the beginning of part two is put 'Click HERE for Part One of this tutorial post otherwise this second part wont make any sense'.
That's one thing I like to do though is to split long posts into two halves and link them to each other!
Another thing a lot of bloggers to is put links throughout their posts when they should put them at the end! I like to read a post then move on as for me that makes a lot of sense! putting a link in the middle of a blog post is like saying to me 'I got a lot more to say but can you read this first'.
anyway there my tips buddy! What you think?
Thanks for the mention Enstine!
I'll be honest with you, my bounce rate's generally between 70 and 75% (although significantly lower on Alexa).
I asked Chris Brogan what his was and it was similar!
I've not worried too much about it because it isn't a search engine ranking factor as far as I'm aware.
I know that I do need to lower it though and I like the descriptive linking idea a lot. I also need to use stronger calls to action.
In general I use keyword linking as you describe above in #1.
Many bloggers have noticed an improvement in ranking with change in bounce rate. If Google records this stat, I think they use it to measure the level of usefulness of a blog. High rate could mean lack of engagement. Remember the bounce occurs when the visitor closes the page within a specific amount of time. The more time they spend on the page, the lower the rate too.
Great job with this one and as you know I have a love/hate relationship with Google. Although I totally get that they're mostly about SEO because they are a search engine, I think that the way they calculate the bounce rate is a crock. They are totally ignoring how much time someone is staying on your post, they're just looking at whether or not they click on other links.
I have 50% of my visitors are returning and the other 50% or new. Granted we all would love for them to stay on our blogs all day long, find great information, comment on it and share the heck out of it too. Who has that kind of time these days to read someone's blog for hours? For my returning visitors they've read my older posts and they know what content I've linked to. I don't blame them for not checking it out again.
That's why I loved what Tim Bonner shared and I've mentioned it in a few posts on this subject because I think it's a waste of time trying to explain to people how they can get it down when I personally don't think it's fair.
If we continue to share great content, keep our readers engaged like you mention in your posts above that I tweeted about and they share it with their friends then I think we've definitely done what we set out to do. Thank you for mentioning me by the way, I appreciate that.
I appreciate you sharing this Enstine because a lot of people worry about this and rightly so. Great resources too. Enjoy your day now.
Thanks for the beautiful comments and for sharing on social media. Always appreciated!
Since my traffic goes up and down dramatically I figured google put me in the penalty box. Could be the internal links? I like the sound of that better than penalty.
Did you check your Webmaster Tools if Google signaled any issue with your blog?
BTW, in your next post, be more descriptive with your links for more clicks. I'm sure that will be quite positive.
I'm really interested with your post title because that's my problem. But I especially like the way you structure your post. You start with strong title, introduction, "sidebar", references and concise-actionable tips. The presentation not only makes me want to read the whole post but also browse other comments of interest.
What I see here is you actually do what you write. So by learning from you I believe I can lower my site's bounce rate to under 50%. Thank you.
I had gone through ome post over bounce rate but your piece is amazing. Easy to understand and apparant. I did not ever think of bounce rate ever but for sure from now I am going to abide you.
Thanks for making me awake.
Keep sharing your catchlines and do have a hreat day ahead.
Sometimes bounce rate also depends upon the kind of niche you have. Blogging niche generally have lower bounce rate as compared to tech niche..
Great points by you though to control the rate..
Hi thanks for your article. You write really clearly and to the point articles.
The WordPress dashboard thing says I have something like 87% bounce rate. I now know that that 's really bad.
One of the factors Google considers to rank a site is whether or not visitors engage on it and bounce rate is a signal that tells the search engine if people actually use the site. High bounce rate probably means people come to the site and leave almost instantly because they didn't find anything useful. With that negative information, Search engines may push your site down the SERP.
I just read about bounce rate yesterday but was not quite certain what it is. After reading your post, I have come to understand it. I will practice what you said and thanks for the enlightenment.
I'm glad this post made you to understand the terms Juliana. Put the tips to practice and I'm sure you'll get results.
Bounce rate plays vital role for counting visitors time and with having an internal links inside the blog will be good with the plugins, user will have two options to go for further posts.
Last time I checked, my bounce rate is just around 60%.
I don't interlink much (frankly, I don't have enough posts to interlink). I only have 1 or 2 posts in each category, so not much interlinking.
But, I am certainly investing more into it (I do agree with you..From a reader's viewpoint, I rarely click the links on the blog posts).
Some people are able to do it (sometimes, they have really good headlines…or in other cases, they have a description of sorts, like you mentioned).
Plus, I think I can get some more ideas from this…go beyond the comment previews. Need to think about!
Jeevan Jacob John recently posted…Are you relying too much on reciprocity?
Yes I'm sure trying the comment preview and of course with some other strategies will work.
Ok I thought you were talk about me for a minute since my bounce rate was 66% LOL.. it goes between 64% to 68% and I'm always looking for ways to lower them especially.
I can understand why people tend to read over the internal links on posts. I tend to do this myself because the author really didn't give me a good reason to go to that post. I figure I would get just enough value from the current one I'm reading.
I like the tip you had up here where you leave a link to a different post within your blog and give a summary of what it was about. You also recommended and you mentioned an influential blogger like Adrienne read and like the post. Now just reading this really impressed me and gave me a reason to go to that previous blog post.
Thanks for sharing this great tip. You have a fantastic weekend!
what a great weekend to have you around bro!
I'm glad you liked this tip and are ready to put it to practice. I'm sure this will be positive on your blog.
Great post. Bounce rate can tell the quality of once blog. initially my bounce rate was about 80% but later it reduced to 40% in my last blog. I really implement the your tips to reduce bounce rate for my new blog, which currently have more than 70%.
Internal linking is surely a great way to reduce bounce rate and it also increase blog page views. Better for readers' engagement and blog's ranking as well.
Sorry for the late reply bro. This comment missed my attention by some measn!
I don't focus on bounce rate to much. I should pay more attention to it of course.
I know unique visitors and page views are important to us bloggers but if you have a high bounce rate but are still converting those visitors into sales, subscriptions etc then your site is doing its job.
This is really amazing post and thanks for linking to my blog from the post.
Bounce rate is one of the most important part of the blog and not always will you be able to achieve a proper rate. With great content on your site, the bounce rate will reduce dramatically.
I read many post about bounce rate today but think your post is better and easily understand-able in compare to others. As a blogger or webmaster you have to keep your bounce rate as low as possible. Bounce rat is really important because it's shows people is take interest in your site or not.
Nice to see this amazing tip here i have read mostly all top result whcih i got in search result by searching reduce bounce rate ,. And then read your post . I am agree and learnt lof of more things about Bounce Rate ..
Really precious post to decreasing any blog bounce rate and yes if we success to write deep information about any topic and also properly add some related posts link then it will help a lot to decreasing our blog rank but your guidance is also helpful, keep it up this good work.
I would say this article is just perfect for me because my blog is also suffering from high Bounce Rate. After reading the above mentioned crazy reasons, i think my internal linking strategy is very Poor and that's why my blog Bounce Rate is high.
i followed a starategy of writing attractive anchor text with different long tail keywords for every link and it works.
You have shared some incredibly helpful tips in this post! Thank you! Now, I understand a much more effective way of leading my reader to click on a link and therefore lower my overall bounce rate.
Without a doubt, I've got my work cut out for me. But thanks to your extremely helpful internal linking strategy, that should no longer be a problem!
I've seen your helpful comments all over the place, but I initially saw them on my coach, mentor and friend, Adrienne Smith's excellent blog! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
I'll definitely be studying your methods more closely going forward! Plus, start sharing your proven methods as well!
Good to see you here this Sunday and thanks for leaving a comment. I'm glad you came over and engaged. It's always good to meet new friends. I'm sure better blogging days lie ahead.
Adrienne is a very helpful person. I'm a loyal reader of her blog. She's one of mine too. We share beautiful things in the blogging world.
thanks for such an useful information. but please give me some tips to how to bring initial traffic for a new blog ?
You gave me reason to to create internal links in my blog post. Though, I don;t have enough blog posts on the blog, but will try to make better internal linking.
Your write up is just awesome to be followed.
Thankyou sir for this beautiful post….. My hyperlinking is very bad and this post made me realize of this thing, thus optimizing my blog in terms of keyword linking…..
That's an awesome guide Enstine Muki and it will help me alt because my blog has huge bounce rate. One thing I am missing on my site is the proper linking and placement.
Really help me out to gain my goal and reduce bound rate in quick time!
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Don't write like a robot, this is really a good point. Although this post very essential for new bloggers like me.
Thanks Enstine Muki sir for sharing such a great piece of content with us.
Bounce rates will be dissimilar for each website, but there are circumstances where you will have an unusually high bounce rate. If you have a blog or website that lists all of your posts or articles on your first page, your bounce rate will be inexplicably high as users enter, read new posts, and leave.
Again Helpful Info. i come through the google to this post, and as always you rock.. thank you for sharing now i will do better inbound linking.
Internal linking really works. This January, my bounce rate went up to 67% and from there on I began working on internal links and now I am so proud to tell my bounce rate is 10%.