What is an Orphan Page?

Orphan pages pose a considerable problem because they can negatively impact a website's overall performance, both in terms of search engine optimization (SEO) and user experience. Internal links are crucial for search engines; they help determine which pages are important and how the content on a site is organized. When a page receives no internal links, it often remains invisible to crawlers, resulting in a lack of indexing and consequently absence from search results.

An orphan page arises when a page on your website lacks internal links leading to it from other pages. This can happen in several ways:

1. Adding new pages: When you create a new page but forget to link it to the rest of your site.
2. Changes in website structure: During modifications to your website’s structure, some pages may unintentionally become disconnected.
3. Removing or altering internal links: This can occur during a redesign or content refresh, resulting in links to existing pages being removed.
4. Posting content without links: If you publish a blog post or article without linking it to relevant earlier content, visitors may struggle to find that page.
5. Migrating to a new system: During the migration of a website to a new system or platform, links may be lost, leading to orphan pages.

Technical issues: Errors in the website code or misconfigurations within your content management system can prevent certain pages from being correctly linked.

Identifying orphan pages on your website can be easily accomplished using various tools that provide insights into your internal linking structure. These tools are crucial for enhancing your site's technical SEO, as they not only help you detect orphan pages but also assist with a range of other SEO tasks. Learning to effectively utilize these tools is definitely worthwhile, as they can benefit many aspects of your SEO strategy.

Google Search Console:

1. Access: Navigate to Google Search Console and log in with your Google account.
2. Action: Download the report on internal links found under the "Links" section. Look for pages that have no internal links, as these may indicate orphan pages.

Screaming Frog:

1. Access: Download Screaming Frog from their official website.
2. Action: Input your website URL and initiate a crawl. Check the “Internal” tab to identify pages lacking internal links.

Ahrefs and SEMrush:

1. Access: Go to Ahrefs or SEMrush and sign in.

Action: Utilize their site audit feature to locate orphan pages and other SEO issues. This will provide detailed insights into your internal linking structure.

To effectively address an orphan page, it’s crucial to reintegrate it into your website's internal structure. Follow these steps to enhance its visibility and usability:

1. Restore links and navigation: Incorporate the orphan page into your main navigation menu, sidebars, or footer. This makes it easier for visitors to find.
2. Add internal links: Create links to the orphan page from other relevant pages to re-establish connections and increase visibility.
3. Use breadcrumbs: Implement breadcrumb navigation to help both search engines understand your site’s structure and visitors navigate more easily.
4. Check for broken or outdated Links: Regularly audit your site to ensure that all links are functional and that content remains appropriately connected.
5. Keep your sitemap updated: Ensure that orphan pages are included in your sitemap, facilitating easy access for search engines.
6. Utilize Redirects for Outdated Pages: If a page is obsolete or no longer relevant, set up redirects to guide visitors to a more current or suitable page, enhancing user experience and SEO performance.