Inbound links are a ranking signal that can vary greatly in terms of how they’re weighted by Google.
One of the key attributes that experts say can separate a high value link from a low value link is the context in which it appears.
When a link is placed within relevant content, it’s thought to have a greater impact on rankings than a link randomly inserted within unrelated text.
Is there any bearing to that claim?
Let’s dive deeper into what has been said about contextual links as a ranking factor to see whether there’s any evidence to support those claims.
The Claim: Contextual Links Are A Ranking Factor
A “contextual link” refers to an inbound link pointing to a URL that’s relevant to the content in which the link appears.
When an article links to a source to provide additional context for the reader, for example, that’s a contextual link.
Contextual links add value rather than being a distraction.
They should flow naturally with the content, giving the reader some clues about the page they’re being directed to.