Definition
A breadcrumb (breadcrumb trail) is a hierarchical navigation element that displays the user's path within the site architecture: Home > Section > Subsection > Current page. In SEO, the breadcrumb is a valuable tool for internal linking, user experience, and helping search engines understand the site's hierarchy. Breadcrumbs can be marked up with Schema.org BreadcrumbList for display in the SERPs, showing the site hierarchy directly in search results.
Key Points
- Improves navigation, internal linking, and UX
- Can be marked up with Schema.org for SERP display
- Essential for sites with deep hierarchies
Practical Examples
Structured blog
A blog displays: Home > SEO > Technical SEO > Core Web Vitals, allowing readers to discover other articles in the same topic.
Business website
A business site uses the breadcrumb: Home > Services > Link Building to guide visitors through navigation and strengthen internal linking.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recommended for sites with deep hierarchies (e-commerce, blogs). For single-page sites or those with very few pages, it is not necessary.
Breadcrumbs are not a direct ranking factor, but they improve UX and internal linking, and the Schema.org markup displays your site hierarchy in search results, which can increase CTR.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07