What is the definition of a deep link?
The definition or meaning of a deep link is a direct link to the subpage of a website without the visitor having to click through to the content they are looking for. As the name suggests, you link directly into the depths of the website. Deep links are, in contrast to so-called surface links, links to the start page of a domain or start page links, i.e. links that refer to a deeper page/subpage of a domain. The term can be roughly translated as “deep linking”. It refers to the link that is intended to lead the user to further content on the website. These special hyperlinks can be an external link on the one hand and an internal hyperlink on the other, taking the user to a subpage of the identical website. It is particularly important for SEO optimization that the backlinks of a domain do not only consist of start page links. The link building of a website is of particular relevance. A deep link is usually assigned a higher value, as it is a stronger recommendation.
Examples:
- Deeplink: www.beispiel.de/unterseite1/unterseite2
- Surface or start page link: www.beispiel.de
What are the legal aspects of deep links?
Here we find ourselves in a legal gray area when it comes to setting subpage links. Website operators should know exactly what they are linking to from their domain. In 2003, the Federal Court of Justice already stated in principle that direct backlinks to subpages are permissible, but copyright must be observed when linking.
What are deep links and what are backlinks?
- A backlink is a hyperlink that refers from one website to another. A so-called link popularity is created by the number of backlinks. This is used when it comes to the internet presence for search engines. A backlink is also a recommendation for the targeted website. The number of backlinks is one of the most important criteria for ranking in search engines when building links.
- Deep links are also considered a recommendation for the website visited, but are weighted more heavily on subpages than hyperlinks to the homepage. Backlinks and deep links play a central role in SEO.
Deep links and their importance for websites
The main purpose of deep links is to refer to specific content, which can be located on any subpage of the website. Regardless of the type of content, e.g. images, videos or texts. Basically, you can say that the most important goal is for the deep link to link deeper into the website than simply to the homepage. The opposite of deep links are surface links. Here the name is again the driving force, it is only linked to the surface of a website.
Deep links and their importance for online marketing
The online marketing industry uses deep links. They are very important because well-placed deep links are very useful for customer acquisition. If, for example, a website visitor is directed to a page by the link and finds the content they are looking for directly without any detours, the incentive to buy and thus also the conversion rate of the website increases directly. As already mentioned above, we are still in a legal gray area, so you should exercise caution with regard to hyperlinks. Website operators are therefore advised to carefully examine the content to which they wish to link using deep links in order to avoid infringing copyright.
Deep links and their importance for affiliates
Deep links can also be useful for generating referral commissions. In the case of business relationships between affiliates (member organizations), the hyperlink to the product subpage contains a special code that identifies the affiliate to the merchant. The partner identifier/code shows the seller via which partner an order was triggered, i.e. how the user was directed to a specific subpage. Successful conversions (e.g. click, lead or sale) can result in commissions of various amounts and create a nice incentive.
Deep links and their importance for SEO
Terms such as link power or page ranks play a major role in search engine optimization and are decisive if they are influenced by subpages. The aim is to strengthen this content and the long tail in SEO through deep links. But beware, the danger here is that such links to subpages could be classified as an attempt at manipulation. In addition to the quality and quantity of inbound links, pay attention to the ratio of back links to the homepage and deep links to the subpages. In addition, you should pay attention to the most natural link texts possible in search engine optimization.