Increasing Internal Links But Avoiding a Link Farm

[rball1]

I'm looking to create a page about Widgets and all of the more specific names for Widgets we sell: ABC Brand Widgets, XYZ Brand Widgets, Big Widgets, Small Widgets, Green Widgets, Blue Widgets, etc.

I'd like my Widget page to give a brief explanation about each kind of Widget with a link deeper into my site that gives more detail and allows you to purchase.

The problem is I have a lot of Widgets and this could get messy: ABC Green Widgets, Small XYZ Widgets, many combinations. I can see my Widget page teetering on being a link farm if I start throwing in all of these combos.

So where should I stop? How much do I do? I've read more than 100 links on a page being considered a link farm, is that a hardline number or a general guideline?

[dignan99]

I am fairly confident that Google doesn't go around slapping websites with linkfarm status unless they are certain that they are up to no good.

I would recommend doing proper navigation with appropriate subdivisions.

If you did a website about Animals, which is obviously a huge subject, you would start with:

Animals - Homepage

Aardvark - Antelope - Bears - Birds and so on

You would then follow up with the proper subdivisions sorted by species of said animal, or by color, or whatever.  There is a chance that on each subpage you may choose to not have subdivisions in the main navigation, but actually in the body of the main text for that animal.

If things are done properly how could this even be considered a link farm?

You do mention 100 links per page, so if it is appropriate that is fine, but I do not know of many subjects that are worthy of 100 links or more per page.

[EGOL]

The problem is I have a lot of Widgets and this could get messy: ABC Green Widgets, Small XYZ Widgets, many combinations. I can see my Widget page teetering on being a link farm if I start throwing in all of these combos.

salivating  This isn't a problem.  It's an opportunity.

It would not bother me to have a huge page of links to internal content on my site.  It would really impress any person who arrives.  I would make this page look great with images and icons, color blocks and headings. 

If you are not comfortable with a single huge page then break it into multiple category pages.  These would compete in the SERPs for secondary keywords.

Go for it!  Good luck!

[StalkerB]

link farm - I do not think this means what you think this means

The 100 link thing is a bit out of date - here and here - but it's good that it makes you stop and think about what you're doing.

As dignan99 said you need to think about your internal link structure. There are a few pages on SEOmoz that should help - 1 2 3 - indeed you should be very able to work out what to do from those.

Basically having a whole bunch of links isn't a huge problem, but there may be a better way if you sit down and think about it

[rball1]

It's definitely an opportunity, that's why I've made it my problem! ;o)

Our general site structure already breaks things into multiple category pages and I'm looking to try this as something different.

Thanks for the fuel for the fire!

[rball1]

Our normal site structure works fairly well for most of what we sell, but for some reason not for Widgets. The idea is just to shake it up and try something new.

But like you said, I'm stopping and thinking about every aspect of this since it is something new. I'm trying to pick it apart from all angles before proceeding.

Thanks for the insight!