How to Use AI to Build an Internal Linking Map

Quick Answer

Give AI your list of pages and it will group them into clusters, identify pillar pages, suggest links with anchor text, and spot orphan pages. Strong internal linking helps both readers and search understand your site. AI proposes the map; you confirm links are relevant and add them carefully.

What This Workflow Helps You Do

• A clear map of how your pages should link together
• Content clusters with pillar pages identified
• Orphan pages found and connected

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: List your existing pages

Compile your pages with titles and topics (a sitemap export works). The map is only as good as the inventory you give AI.

Step 2: Group by topic

Have AI cluster pages into topic groups so you can see your site’s real content themes.

Here is a list of my site's pages (title and topic):
[paste list]

Group them into topic clusters. For each cluster, name the theme and list the pages in it. Flag pages that don't fit any cluster.

Step 3: Identify pillar pages

Ask AI which page in each cluster should be the pillar (the broad, central page) that supporting pages link up to.

For each cluster, identify the best pillar page (the broad, central one) and the supporting pages that should link to it. If a cluster lacks a clear pillar, say so.

Step 4: Suggest links

Have AI propose specific internal links within and between clusters, prioritizing the ones that genuinely help readers.

Suggest internal links: which pages should link to which, prioritized by relevance and value to the reader. Group them by cluster.

Step 5: Write anchor text

Ask AI for natural, descriptive anchor text for each suggested link, varied and relevant, not repetitive exact-match.

For each suggested link, write natural, descriptive anchor text. Vary the wording and avoid stuffing the same exact-match phrase everywhere.

Step 6: Find orphan pages

Have AI flag pages with few or no internal links pointing to them. Add links manually, checking each is genuinely relevant, irrelevant links hurt more than help.

Common Mistakes

Forcing irrelevant links. Only link where it genuinely helps the reader. Irrelevant links dilute value and annoy users.

Repetitive exact-match anchors. Vary anchor text naturally. Identical anchors everywhere look manipulative.

Ignoring orphan pages. Pages with no internal links are hard to find and rank. Connect them into a cluster.