What are the problems with internal links?

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   alexadryposted 6 years ago

   Asking here because I got a note from an editor to fix a few things in an article, but when I clicked reply, I got a Mailer Daemon reply. So here is my question: Why are Hubpages internal links no longer allowed?  I was asked to remove all of them, when it the past they were allowed.
   
   I am now reading this: "Link Capsules are for showcasing a group of relevant and high-quality links to your readers, not for self-promoting other articles you may have written on HubPages Network Sites."
   
   Here's the thing: I use lots of technical terms in my articles and always linked them to my other internal articles on Hubpages Network sites because they provide an in-depth explanation. If I were to explain those terms in detail (as they deserve to be so to provide a clear understanding and real-life examples), a 3,000 word article may easily double or triple.
   
   Internal links should also help people stay longer on the website, which I think is a plus. If people enjoy reading an author's content, wouldn't they enjoy reading more on related content that provides important information that is key to the resolution of their problem? That's how I feel when I am reading content from my favorite authors.  I like readers to think "Holy cow, that's right the issue I am facing now! Let me read more about it.. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
   
   On a side note:  I was recently invited to edit and fix a large website on Pets that needed a major makeover, and one of the requirements was to link to related internal content because it added value and kept users longer on the website. So I personally can't see any major disadvantage of using them.
   
   OK, I must confess that I am quite picky about content and don't want people to leave the site and go searching for the meaning of unknown terms or more detailed info on how to solve a related issue that's not covered through a Google search. Sure, in a perfect world, perhaps they may stumble on an article written by a well-respected professional in the field who is on the same page when it comes to training methods, and all things flow perfectly, but why risk the chances of readers possibly stumbling upon websites that provide outdated or inaccurate information that do not match my content at all?
   
   I prefer that the info come from me, not to self-promote, but because my content is often very specific and based on some individualized methods (sometimes, even crafted by me)  that other websites do not likely not offer in such detail. My articles often connect like pieces of a puzzle, using the same training philosophies, and I think that's something that is appreciated by readers.
   
   Since this notice was generated upon the process of moving a fresh article to a Network Site, I wonder if internal links are still allowed on Hubpages? And if so, I am wondering whether it's best to just not move the article so that readers can take advantage of the links and gain a more thorough understanding of what I am trying to convey, and therefore, a more enriching reading experience.
   
   I would therefore appreciate some elucidations.
   Thanks!

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      lobobrandonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Internal links are allowed on niche sites and across niche sites from when I last checked. Not allowing this is crazy to say the least.
      
      But linking from a niche site to the hubpages domain is not allowed. So if your new hub or the one you are trying to move has links pointing to a HP article, work on moving that article to a niche site first. Or write to an editor you have worked with (hubpro) and tell them that the entire series needs to be moved at once, they may comply.

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         alexadryposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         OK, got it. Your response is very helpful as usual Lobobrandon. I think I missed an important point: that the articles linked to haven't moved to niche sites yet. I will double check to see if that's the case. If so, I have a lot of work to do so to get them moving.

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         1. 65

            lobobrandonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Yup. As you already know the niche sites are the best, so it's important that you get them moved. For an established writer here and if you have many to move and they are up to the niche site standards I guess you could write to HP to get an entire batch moved. Not sure if they'd comply, but worth trying.

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2. 76

   EricDockettposted 6 years ago

   You also mentioned in your first post that the editor noted the use of the link capsule specifically. That could be the issue as well.
   
   For links to your own articles HP much prefers the in-text links now. The link capsule (almost) always gets hacked by an editor when moving an article to a niche site.
   
   I don't completely agree with the logic of that, and I certainly don't see it as "self promotion", but it's HP's field and their ground rules apply.

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