Deep linking is a necessary tool for life on the Web 2. 0. In the information age, web presence is a question of visibility. If a page is not accessible or widely viewed, it may as well not exist. It uses search engine optimization (SEO) to greatly effects web page visibility by improving efficiency in the way traffic is directed to important pages between disparate web pages and between separate sites. This has the very real potential to improve sales and deliver a core message.

An author can benefit themselves by creating internal deep links. These link relevant pages within a single site that guide the reader smoothly through out associated content. This eventually brings the reader back to the place they started creating a circular trail of links. Each link serves the purpose of boosting rankings among search engines, although not as much as external deep links. The audience also has greater control of what they view, and how they navigate. This improves the overall visiting experience, improving traffic.

The Wiki model is based on internal deep linking. For every subject there are related threads that have their own designated background pages. These internal link to other background pages, eventually returning to the beginning page, and create a circular trail of links.

External linking: This form accesses content of an outside web page, bypassing the given site’s home page or directory. In this way, deep linking can be both blessing or a curse. External links are more important than internal links, as they result in higher placement on lists of of sites returned as relevant. This is why it’s important to network with other sites and authors to mutually increase traffic.

Instead of pointing an audience to the homepage of an outside site, an external deep link will bring them to a page within that site which contains relevant information to the theme linked from. This benefits the external site author by increasing traffic to little accessed pages, improving the page rank amongst search engines. The possibility lies here for plagiarism if credit isn’t given where it’s due. Cases have been brought up in courts between companies in which one has deep linked to the service pages of another, thereby by passing remuneration system of one. This in essence can be considered theft of services, and can be devastating for companies that charge for their content.

Keep in mind that links should be short, applying to only a single word if possible. A minimal number of deep links should be used to keep them from becoming distracting. Finally, deep link only to URLs that are relevant to the idea you’re advancing.

Deep linking can be a blessing or a bane to web authors. Used well deep linking can benefit everyone involved and create a stronger community of information providers. To succeed online it is necessary to stay as well connected as possible. Now, this means adapting and mastering this important tool.