Definition
Internal PageRank is the application of the original PageRank concept (Google's founding algorithm) at the scale of a single website. Each page receives an internal authority score based on the number and quality of internal links pointing to it. The homepage typically concentrates the most internal PageRank as it receives the most links. Internal linking allows redistributing this authority to strategic pages. Pages that receive the most internal links are considered more important by Google. Optimizing internal PageRank means structuring internal links to direct authority toward target pages (product pages, landing pages).
Key Points
- Most internally linked pages receive the most internal PageRank
- The homepage typically has the most internal PageRank
- Optimizing internal linking directs authority to strategic pages
Practical Examples
Authority distribution
A site receives a powerful backlink on its homepage. By adding internal links from the home to the 5 strategic product pages, internal PageRank redistributes and these pages rise in the SERPs.
PageRank sculpting
Analyzing internal links with Screaming Frog reveals that the 'Legal Notice' page receives 50 internal links (from the footer) while the 'Pricing' page only receives 3. Restructure linking to balance the distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Google no longer communicates PageRank. Tools like Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, or OnCrawl calculate an equivalent metric based on internal linking. The number of internal links to a page is a good proxy.
Add internal links from your high-authority pages (home, popular pages) to your strategic pages. Reduce links to non-strategic pages (legal notices, terms) and use a silo or topic cluster architecture.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07