I have an informational website that quite naturally breaks into distinct silos of content.
In contrast, any Wikipedia page you see is quite the opposite, widespread deep internal page cross linking.
In Friday’s SEOMoz blog there is a video where Rand Fishkin distinctly talks about (encourages), and is shown illustrating, deep internal page cross linking (and making a reference to Wiki style linking while doing so).
The only other references I have on the this topic are some older pages on Bruce Clay’s blog. They distinctly describe cross linking only from one silo’s deep internal page to another silo’s top page. I also remember some panel member at PubCon Dallas saying “don’t break your silos.” And there always seemed to be a consensus here on WW that Wikipedia is Wikipedia and your site isn’t, so don’t expect that what is ok for Wiki is suitable for your site.
I’ve historically only employed the conventional, non-wiki style, cross linking but as I read through my pages the wiki style cross linking seems more natural, and better for visitors, I can see how it would increase page views per visitor. I can also imagine that I could employ a fair amount of it, very much like Wikipedia.
Google/Matt Cutts always seem to be implying what is best for site visitors is the right approach, but what they say and how they rank sites in the SERPs doesn’t always seem to be in sync.
Is there any change in consensus about what type and amount of cross linking is best (I guess I really mean for SEO)?
