Studying linking strategies, I am confused by the use of the term interlinking.
Intuitively, I understand cross linking to be linking between or across domains. And, I understand interlinking to be synonymous with cross linking.
However, in many discussions around the internet it seems as if the term cross linking is defined as linking between domains and interlinking refers to linking within a domain. It is counter intuitive.
Intralinking is more appropriately related to linking within a domain. I have been told that Google has set the precedence by using interlinking to refer to internal links and thus the use of interlinking.
I have searched throughout Google’s documentation and find no reference to interlinking as a definition for internal linking within a domain. I have been told that one exists. I have found repeated references to internal links, but the term, internal links, is spelled out in Google’s documentation and is not referred to as an ‘interlink’.
Which correctly defines linking within a domain, interlinking or intralinking? And, can anyone verify that Google uses the term interlinking to refer to internal links?
Some argue that since Google searches are predominantly page oriented, then those links could arguably be considered ‘interlinked’ pages on the same domain and links within and on the same page referencing links on that same page could be called ‘intralinks’.
I disagree.
The boundary of the link is the domain, not the pages. Links within a page and links between pages on the same site are within the domain, not outside of it.
An example, interstate highways are between states; an intrastate highway connects cities within the state and is bounded by the state lines. An intrastate highway can connect two or more communities that are geographically adjacent and have different names, as in a metropolis, but it is still an intrastate highway. That intrastate highway does not keep its name when and if crosses the state boundary
If indeed Google has set a precedence, then I say we squelch it. The use of interlinking to mean linking within a domain is counter intuitive. It confuses those who know the definitions of ‘inter’ and ‘intra’ and it misleads those that are trying to learn article marketing .
What do you think?
