Sitewide links are repeated links in shared navigation, headers, footers or templates that appear across many pages.
Sitewide links are repeated links in shared navigation, headers, footers or templates that appear across many pages.
What it means
They help users reach persistent destinations, but repeated placement does not replace contextual links when a relationship needs explanation.
They are neither automatically manipulative nor automatically valuable.
How to assess it
Sample templates, count repeated destinations and inspect anchor text and user purpose.
Practical workflow
- Define the user task and the set in scope.
- Sample templates, count repeated destinations and inspect anchor text and user purpose.
- Choose the smallest reversible change.
- Keep utility and navigation concise; use in-content links where context matters.
- Re-check the rendered outcome and preserve the measurement scope and date.
Concrete example and verification
For example, a footer link to accessibility information can belong sitewide because every visitor may need it. A repeated keyword-rich link to a marginal product page needs a different justification. Inspect its placement, anchor and user purpose before deciding whether it is navigation or promotion.
Limits and common mistakes
Keyword-rich footer repetition without user purpose risks looking like a link scheme.