How Can You Use the WordPress Gutenberg Editor to Insert and Edit Internal Links?

Summary

The WordPress Gutenberg editor allows users to easily insert and edit internal links within their posts and pages. This involves selecting text, using the built-in link tool to search or enter the target URL, and managing link attributes. Here’s a detailed guide to efficiently utilize internal links using the Gutenberg editor.

Step-by-Step Process

Follow these steps to insert internal links in WordPress using the Gutenberg editor:

1. Select Text

Highlight the text you want to turn into a hyperlink. This can be a word, phrase, or even an entire sentence.

After highlighting the text, click on the link icon in the toolbar that appears. Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) to open the link tool.

3. Search or Enter URL

In the link dialog box, you can either:

  • Search for existing content by typing keywords. Gutenberg will display a list of relevant posts or pages that you can select from.
  • Directly paste the URL of the internal page you want to link to.

For example, if you start typing the name of a post, WordPress will present a list of matching posts or pages, and you can select the desired one.

Press "Enter" or click the "Apply" button (checkmark icon) to create the link. The selected text will now be hyperlinked to the chosen URL.

To edit an internal link:

Inside the Gutenberg editor, click on the text that contains the link you want to edit.

Click the pencil (edit) icon that appears above the linked text to open the link dialog box.

In the link dialog box, you can update the URL, search for a different internal page, or change the text displayed. After making your changes, click the "Apply" button.

If you want to remove the link, click the "Unlink" (broken chain) icon.

Best Practices for Internal Linking

SEO and Usability Considerations

When using internal links, keep these best practices in mind:

Descriptive Anchor Text

Use descriptive and relevant anchor text to help users and search engines understand the context of the link. Avoid generic phrases like "click here."

Ensure your internal links point to content that is relevant and provides additional value to the reader.

Maintain a Logical Structure

Organize your links in a way that guides users through your site’s content logically and naturally.

Regularly check your internal links to ensure they are not broken and point to the correct destinations. Tools like Broken Link Checker can help automate this process.

References