What Is an External Link?
An external link is a hyperlink that points from your page to a different website, as opposed to an internal link, which stays within your own domain.
Why It Matters for SEO
Linking out to authoritative, relevant sources can support your content’s credibility and trustworthiness, giving readers (and, indirectly, search engines) a signal that your content is well-researched and connected to a broader body of reliable information. External links also help readers dig deeper into a topic without having to leave your page unsatisfied.
When to Use External Links
Link out when it genuinely adds value — citing a data source, referencing an authoritative explanation, or pointing to a tool or resource relevant to what you’re discussing. There’s no strict rule on how many to include; the guiding principle is usefulness to the reader over hitting a specific count.
