If you’ve ever noticed those handy menu links beneath websites like TechCrunch or Netflix when you search on Google, you might be wondering how to get the same for your site. Well, it’s not an instant fix, but there are steps you can take to optimize your site.
First off, it’s important to know that Google is in charge of showing these links, and they analyze the structure of your site to find shortcuts that help users. These shortcuts are called “sitelinks.”
Here’s what you can do to improve your chances of getting sitelinks:
- Clear and Informative Links: When you create links within your site, make sure they have descriptive text (anchor text) and alt text. This helps Google understand what each link is about.
- Best Practices: Google suggests making your site easy to navigate with a well-organized structure. This includes having a clear hierarchy of pages.
But what do the experts say? Well, they agree with Google’s advice to an extent. They recommend having a site that’s easy to explore, with a logical arrangement of pages. Here are some common traits of sites that get sitelinks:
- They rank high for their target keywords.
- Their navigation is easy for search engines to crawl.
- They have a lot of organic search traffic.
- People often click on their links in search results.
- Important pages show up as sitelinks.
On the flip side, some things might hinder sitelinks:
- If most traffic goes to just one page.
- If all pages have similar titles and descriptions.
- If pages have very little or unhelpful content.
Now, let’s talk about increasing your chances of getting sitelinks:
- Organized Navigation: Use HTML features like <nav> tags or lists (UL) and text links to create a structured menu. This helps users find what they’re looking for.
- Offer Fewer Choices: Psychologists say that too many options can overwhelm people. So, keep your main navigation focused on the essentials.
- Unique Branding: A distinctive name for your site makes it easier for users to find you in search results.
- Compelling Titles and Descriptions: Craft titles and meta descriptions that accurately describe your pages. This helps users know what to expect.
- Be Incredibly Useful: Providing helpful outbound links shows that your site is a valuable resource.
Remember, while these tips might not guarantee sitelinks, they’re good practices for improving your site’s overall performance and user experience.
