What is the best possible way to build strong internal linking with pagination?

What is the best possible way to build strong internal linking with pagination?

• Using rel=”prev” and rel=”next” in the pagination HTML
• Have a sitemap page that links to all pagination URLs
• Using ‘first’ and ‘last’ buttons at the bottom of each page with pagination
• All of the above
• Linking to several sequential pages on each page with pagination

 

Explanation:
This is the best possible way to build strong internal linking with pagination because it:

• Helps distribute link equity more evenly across paginated pages

• Improves crawlability by making it easier for search engines to navigate through the sequence

• Enhances user experience by allowing users to jump to nearby pages without excessive clicking

Why not the others (alone)?

• rel="prev" and rel="next":

  • These were once a strong signal for pagination, but Google no longer uses them for indexing purposes (officially since 2019).

  • They still help with accessibility and clarity, but not SEO power.

• Sitemap linking to all pagination URLs:

  • This helps discover the URLs but doesn’t distribute link equity or create natural internal paths for users and crawlers.

• ‘First’ and ‘Last’ buttons:

  • These can be helpful for UX, but linking only to the ends doesn’t strengthen the overall structure as much as linking to multiple adjacent pages.

• All of the above:

  • ❌ Incorrect because not all listed methods contribute equally to strong internal linking for SEO.