Dynamically generated page issues

[toddyC]

Hello All!

Our site uses dynamically generated pages. I was about to begin the process of optimising our product category pages www.pitchcare.com/shop

I was going to use internal anchor text from some high ranking pages within our site but each of the product category pages already have 1745 links!

Am I correct in saying that internal anchor text links works to a certain point? (maybe 10 or so links)

So any new internal anchor text links will count for nothing?

Thanks

Todd

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hi Todd,

The rule of thumb is that the first link that Google comes across is the most important one, so it would be worthwhile looking carefully at this. You can have other links on the pages, as long as there are not too many, because this can actually improve the user experience, so they will never count for nothing - just be mindful that the content is the important part right now.

Where possible try and embed anchor text in content that is 'on-topic'.

Regards,

Andy

[toddyC]

Thanks for the response.

We have thousands of on topic articles that i could link from so no problem there. I also understand this will improve the user experience but I'm only concerned about passing page rank at this stage.

You say the first link is the most important so surely adding another rich anchor text link from other pages will make very little or no difference as there are already 1700 links pointing to that page?

Is there any penalty for too many internal links to a page that could have a negative effect on rankings?

Cheers

Todd

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Link juice isn't passed equally through all links, but does trickle through at some level. Exactly what this is, is something of an unknown though. Perhaps someone can add a little more clarification on this?

I would say that adding another good quality link would make little (if any) difference and it is not something I would hesitate doing myself.

However, there comes a point where a page full of links will have a negative effect, but with just a few well targeted ones, I would say you would be fine with that.

Regards,

Andy

[TellThemEverything]

It's true that the first link to any given URL is the most important one - in other words there is no point in linking twice or more to the same place from a single page. This is a common problem with category pages that use a product image to link to the product first - it should be second (at least in the markup).

Now, to answer your question - yes, add links in the content part of the page (not header/footer/sidebars) to pages that you want to receive some love. Content links are the most powerful. Link from articles to product categories and/or product detail pages.

[toddyC]

Thanks both,

Oh I see you meant the first link on a single page is the most important, sure I understand this.

I also understand the link is best placed in the content area of the page (not footers etc)

The problem I have is that every single product page has a link to the category pages. ie every category page has 1745 internal links pointing to it from seperate pages.

I thought that internal linking from multiple pages was only effective for a max of around 10? so adding more links from artilces would make no difference?

If I'm correct how do e-commerce websites with dynamically generated pages combat this issue?

Thanks

Todd

[TellThemEverything]

Linking from articles is still "worthwhile" - obviously don't spend a ton of time on it because it is still an internal link after all..

[perfectweb]

If every single product page is linking to a category page, I am sure that Google will discount these links some what. I think linking from articles and good quality content to the category pages will have some positive effect, but like others have mentioned don't spend too long working on this as the total benefit will not be huge.