A related posts module is the block of links, usually below an article, labelled something like Related reading or Read next. It is often generated automatically from tags or categories, though it can be chosen by hand. For SEO it adds internal links between pages on similar topics. For readers it offers a next step. How the links are picked decides whether it helps: a module that shows loosely related or random posts adds little.
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Choosing what it shows
- Pages in the same topic cluster, so the cluster links together
- The pillar page for the topic, if the article is a supporting piece
- A relevant product, use case or integration page as one of the slots
- Hand-picked links for important articles, automatic ones for the rest
Technical points
Render the links in the HTML the server sends, or at least as normal anchor links after rendering. Modules loaded by a third-party widget or only after scrolling may not be seen by crawlers. Use the target page's title as the link text, which gives a clear description of where the link goes.
Example
Tags that pointed nowhere useful
A fictional HR platform, Rosterbay, generates related posts from a single shared tag that half the blog uses, so every article suggests the same few recent posts. Switching to hand-picked links for its core guides and matching by topic cluster for the rest connects each cluster and sends readers from guides to the relevant product page.
Common mistakes
Relying only on recency
Showing the newest posts everywhere ignores relevance and repeats the same links sitewide.
Client-side widgets
If the links only exist after a script runs, check that Google renders them. Server-rendered links are safer.
Frequently Asked Questions
It adds internal links between related pages, which helps discovery and shows how topics connect. The benefit depends on the links being relevant.
Enough to give a few clear next steps. A short list of strong picks is better than a long list of weak ones.
Keep reading
- Internal Linking: Internal linking is linking from one page on your site to another. It helps search engines find and understand pages and guides readers to the next step.
- Topic Cluster: A topic cluster is a group of related pages around one subject: a broad pillar page linked to detailed pages on each subtopic, all linked to one another.
- Contextual Links: Contextual links are links placed within the body text of a page, surrounded by relevant words, rather than in menus, sidebars or footers.
- Sidebar Links: Sidebar links sit in a column beside the main content, such as a blog's popular posts or a docs site's section menu. They repeat across many pages, so what you put there shapes internal linking site-wide.
- Above the Fold: Above the fold is the part of a page visible before scrolling. It decides first impressions and whether a visitor sees the answer or a wall of ads.
- AI-Assisted Writing: AI-assisted writing uses language models to help research, outline, draft or edit content. Google judges the result on quality, not on how it was made.
- Anchor Text: Anchor text is the clickable text of a link. It tells readers and search engines what to expect on the page the link points to.
- Answer-First Writing: Answer-first writing puts a direct, complete answer to the reader's question at the start of a page or section, then adds context and detail.
