Internal linking

1. Internal Linking in MediaWiki: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Internal linking is a fundamental aspect of building a well-structured and navigable wiki, especially within the MediaWiki environment. It’s far more than just connecting pages; it’s about creating a web of knowledge that allows readers to explore related topics seamlessly and enhances the overall user experience. This article will provide a detailed, beginner-friendly guide to internal linking in MediaWiki 1.40, covering the basics, advanced techniques, and best practices. We will also touch on how effective internal linking can mirror successful investment strategies, focusing on diversification and interconnectedness.

What is Internal Linking?

At its core, internal linking is the practice of creating hyperlinks within a wiki page that point to other pages *within the same wiki*. Unlike external links which direct users to websites outside the wiki, internal links keep users engaged within the knowledge base you're building. Think of it like a network of roads – each page is a city, and the internal links are the roads connecting them. A good road network allows for efficient travel between destinations; similarly, good internal linking allows for efficient exploration of information.

Why is Internal Linking Important?

Internal linking is crucial for several reasons:

• Improved Navigation: It makes it easier for readers to find related information. Without internal links, users might have to use the wiki's search function for every related topic, which is inefficient. Effective navigation is akin to a well-defined trading plan, guiding the user directly to their desired outcome.
• Enhanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization): While MediaWiki wikis aren’t typically focused on *public* SEO in the same way as public websites, strong internal linking helps the wiki's own search function understand the relationships between pages, resulting in more relevant search results. This is similar to how technical analysis uses patterns to predict future movements – internal links create patterns of association within the wiki.
• Increased Pageviews: Links encourage readers to explore more pages, increasing overall engagement and pageviews. This is analogous to a momentum trading strategy, where initial interest leads to further investment.
• Context and Clarification: Internal links provide additional context and clarification for complex topics. They allow you to expand on a concept without disrupting the flow of the current page. Think of it like using support and resistance levels – providing points of reference to understand the bigger picture.
• Establishment of Site Architecture: Internal linking helps define the overall structure and organization of the wiki. This is similar to a well-structured portfolio – everything has its place and purpose.
• Knowledge Graph Creation: Over time, a robust internal linking structure effectively builds a knowledge graph of interconnected concepts, making the wiki a powerful resource. This is similar to understanding the correlation between different economic indicators.

The Basics: Creating Internal Links

The syntax for creating an internal link in MediaWiki is remarkably simple. You use double square brackets around the page title.

Example:

`Page Title`

This will render as a hyperlink to the page titled "Page Title". If the page "Page Title" does not exist, the link will appear in red, indicating a broken link (more on that later).

Example in context:

"For more information on wiki syntax, please refer to the Help:Contents page."

Linking to Specific Sections

You can also link directly to specific sections *within* a page. This is incredibly useful for long articles. To do this, you add a hash symbol (#) followed by the section heading.

Example:

`Page Title#Section Heading`

This will take the user directly to the "Section Heading" within the "Page Title" page.

Example in context:

"See the Internal Linking#Advanced Techniques section for more on advanced linking methods."

Using Link Titles (Alt Text)

Sometimes, you want the link text to be different from the actual page title. This is where link titles (or alt text) come in handy. You separate the link text and the page title with a pipe (|).

Example:

`Descriptive Link Text`

This will display "Descriptive Link Text" as the link, but it will still link to the "Page Title" page. Using descriptive link text improves readability and provides more context to the user. It's similar to using clear labels on a candlestick chart – making the information easily understandable.

Example in context:

"For a detailed explanation of MediaWiki syntax, please see the MediaWiki Help page."

Advanced Techniques

Beyond the basics, several advanced techniques can further enhance your internal linking strategy:

• Anchor Text Variation: Avoid using the same link text repeatedly. Varying the anchor text (the visible text of the link) helps search engines (and readers) understand the context of the link. This is akin to diversifying your investment portfolio – spreading risk and maximizing potential.
• Contextual Linking: Links should be placed within the context of the surrounding text. Don't just insert links randomly. The link should naturally flow from the sentence and provide relevant information. This is like identifying a clear entry point in a trading strategy.
• Link to Relevant Pages: Only link to pages that are genuinely relevant to the topic at hand. Irrelevant links can confuse readers and dilute the value of your wiki. Similar to avoiding false signals in trading.
• Avoid Overlinking: Too many links on a single page can be overwhelming. Focus on linking to the most important and relevant pages. This relates to the concept of risk management – knowing when to hold back.
• Use Link Categories: Consider using categories to group related pages and make it easier for users to find information. This is like grouping stocks by industry sector.
• Redirects: If you rename a page, create a redirect from the old page title to the new page title. This ensures that users who have bookmarked the old page will still be taken to the correct content. This parallels the use of trailing stops to protect profits.
• Template Usage: Templates can be used to create consistent links across multiple pages. This is particularly useful for frequently linked pages. This is similar to using a pre-defined trading algorithm.
• Link Maps/Navigation Boxes: For complex topics, consider creating link maps or navigation boxes to provide a visual overview of related pages. This is akin to a comprehensive market overview.
• Utilize the "What links here" Feature: MediaWiki provides a "What links here" feature (accessible from the "Tools" sidebar on any page) which shows you all the pages that link to the current page. This is invaluable for identifying potential broken links and assessing the overall link structure. This is comparable to analyzing backtesting results in trading.

Dealing with Broken Links

Broken links (links that point to non-existent pages) are inevitable. However, they should be addressed promptly. MediaWiki makes it relatively easy to identify and fix broken links.

• Red Links: As mentioned earlier, red links indicate broken links.
• "What links here" Feature: Use the "What links here" feature to identify pages that link to a broken page.
• Fixing Broken Links: You can fix broken links by either:

   * Creating the missing page.
   * Updating the link to point to a valid page.
   * Removing the link if it's no longer relevant.

Regularly checking for and fixing broken links is essential for maintaining a high-quality wiki. It's like regularly reviewing and adjusting your trading strategy based on market conditions.

Internal Linking and Wiki Hierarchy

A well-planned internal linking strategy should reflect the overall hierarchy of your wiki. Think about how different topics relate to each other and structure your links accordingly.

• Parent Pages: Link from more specific pages to their parent pages. This helps readers understand the broader context. Similar to understanding the relationship between a specific stock and the overall market trend.
• Child Pages: Link from parent pages to their child pages. This allows readers to drill down into more detailed information. Like branching out into specific trading instruments after understanding the overall market.
• Sibling Pages: Link between pages at the same level of the hierarchy if they are closely related. This is like comparing different stocks within the same industry.

Best Practices for Internal Linking

• Plan Your Linking Strategy: Before you start linking, take the time to plan your overall strategy. Consider the goals of your wiki and the needs of your users.
• Be Consistent: Use consistent link text and formatting throughout your wiki.
• Prioritize Quality over Quantity: Focus on creating high-quality, relevant links rather than simply adding as many links as possible.
• Regularly Review and Update: Periodically review your internal links to ensure they are still accurate and relevant.
• Consider User Experience: Always keep the user experience in mind. Links should be easy to find and use.
• Use Descriptive Link Text: As previously mentioned, always use descriptive link text to provide context to the user.

Internal Linking vs. External Linking

While both internal and external links are important, they serve different purposes. Internal links keep users within the wiki, while external links direct them to resources outside the wiki. External links should be used sparingly and only when necessary to provide additional information that is not available within the wiki. Think of internal links as building your own fortress of knowledge, while external links are acknowledging resources beyond your walls. Effective asset allocation requires a balance between internal and external investments.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Internal Linking

While direct metrics for internal link effectiveness are limited in MediaWiki’s standard interface, you can infer performance through:

• Pageviews: Track pageviews to see if linked pages receive increased traffic.
• Time on Page: Monitor time on page to see if users are engaging with linked content.
• User Feedback: Solicit feedback from users on the navigability of the wiki.
• Search Logs: Analyze search logs to identify common search terms and areas where internal linking could be improved. This is similar to analyzing trading volume to identify market interest.

By consistently applying these principles and techniques, you can create a well-structured, navigable, and informative wiki that provides a valuable resource for your users. Remember that internal linking is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Continuous refinement and improvement are key to building a successful wiki. Just as a successful investor constantly monitors and adjusts their portfolio, a successful wiki maintainer constantly monitors and adjusts their internal linking structure. Understanding Fibonacci retracement levels requires continuous observation and adaptation; the same applies to building a dynamic and connected knowledge base. Finally, remember the importance of risk-reward ratio – focus your linking efforts on areas that will yield the greatest benefit for your users.

Help:Contents Help:Linking MediaWiki Wiki syntax Help:Templates Help:Categories Help:Search Help:Redirects Help:Table of Contents Help:Editing Help:Formatting Help:Images Help:Sections Help:Pages Technical analysis Trading plan Support and resistance levels Portfolio Economic indicators Momentum trading strategy Candlestick chart Risk management Trading algorithm Market overview Backtesting results Entry point False signals Trailing stops Investment portfolio Industry sector Fibonacci retracement levels Trading volume Risk-reward ratio

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