Legendplugins

Auto-Linking

Automatically convert keywords into links across your site without manually editing content.

Note: Auto-Linking is available in Pro, Plus, and Business plans ($89/year and up).

What is Auto-Linking?

Auto-linking automatically converts specified keywords or phrases into links throughout your WordPress content. When a keyword appears in a post, page, or comment, it's automatically converted to a link.

Example:

  • Keyword: "running shoes"
  • Link: yoursite.com/go/running-shoes
  • Result: Every instance of "running shoes" becomes a clickable link

Creating Auto-Link Rules

Step 1: Access Auto-Linking

  1. Go to LegendLinks → Auto-Linking
  2. Click "Add New Rule"

Step 2: Configure Rule

Keyword/Phrase

  • Required: Yes
  • Description: The text to automatically link
  • Example: "running shoes", "affiliate program"
  • Case Sensitivity: Choose case-sensitive or case-insensitive matching

Target Link

  • Required: Yes
  • Description: Which LegendLinks link to use
  • Select: Choose from your existing links
  • Note: Link must exist before creating auto-link rule

Occurrence Limit

  • Description: Maximum number of times to link per post/page
  • Options:
    • Unlimited: Link all occurrences
    • Once: Link only the first occurrence
    • Custom: Specify number (e.g., 3 times)
  • Default: Once (recommended)
  • Best Practice: Use "Once" to avoid over-linking

Exclusion Zones

  • Description: Areas where auto-linking should NOT occur
  • Options:
    • Headings: Don't link in H1-H6 tags
    • Links: Don't link text that's already a link
    • Images: Don't link in image alt text
    • Code Blocks: Don't link in code/pre tags
  • Recommendation: Enable all exclusion zones

Managing Auto-Link Rules

View All Rules

  1. Go to LegendLinks → Auto-Linking
  2. See list of all active rules
  3. View keyword, target link, and status

Edit Rule

  1. Go to LegendLinks → Auto-Linking
  2. Click on rule name
  3. Edit settings
  4. Click Save

Enable/Disable Rule

  1. Go to LegendLinks → Auto-Linking
  2. Toggle rule status
  3. Disabled rules don't auto-link but remain saved

Delete Rule

  1. Go to LegendLinks → Auto-Linking
  2. Click Delete on rule
  3. Confirm deletion
  4. Note: Existing links in content remain (they were already converted)

How Auto-Linking Works

Processing Order

  1. WordPress content is processed
  2. Auto-link rules are checked
  3. Keywords are matched
  4. Links are inserted
  5. Content is displayed

Matching Behavior

Case-Insensitive (Default):

  • Keyword: "running shoes"
  • Matches: "Running Shoes", "RUNNING SHOES", "running shoes"

Case-Sensitive:

  • Keyword: "iPhone"
  • Matches: "iPhone" only (not "iphone" or "IPHONE")

Occurrence Limits

Unlimited:

  • Every instance of keyword is linked
  • Can result in many links per page
  • Use sparingly

Once:

  • Only first occurrence is linked
  • Cleaner appearance
  • Recommended for most cases

Custom (e.g., 3):

  • First 3 occurrences are linked
  • Balance between visibility and clutter

Best Practices

Keyword Selection

✅ Good Keywords:

  • Specific product names ("iPhone 15 Pro")
  • Brand names ("Nike", "Amazon")
  • Unique phrases ("best running shoes")
  • Terms you want to promote

❌ Avoid:

  • Common words ("the", "and", "or")
  • Generic terms ("product", "link")
  • Overly broad phrases
  • Keywords that appear too frequently

Occurrence Limits

Recommended Settings:

  • Most keywords: Once per post/page
  • Important keywords: 2-3 times maximum
  • Very specific terms: Unlimited (if rare)

Why Limit?

  • Too many links look spammy
  • Hurts user experience
  • May impact SEO negatively
  • One link is usually enough

Exclusion Zones

Enable All Exclusion Zones:

  • ✅ Headings (H1-H6)
  • ✅ Existing links
  • ✅ Image alt text
  • ✅ Code blocks

Why Exclude?

  • Headings should remain clean
  • Don't break existing links
  • Alt text is for accessibility
  • Code blocks should be literal

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Product Names

Goal: Automatically link product mentions

  • Keyword: "iPhone 15 Pro"
  • Link: Product affiliate link
  • Occurrence: Once per post
  • Result: Every mention becomes affiliate link

Use Case 2: Brand Names

Goal: Link brand mentions to brand pages

  • Keyword: "Nike"
  • Link: Brand page link
  • Occurrence: Once per post
  • Result: Brand mentions link to brand page

Use Case 3: Affiliate Programs

Goal: Link program mentions

  • Keyword: "Amazon Associates"
  • Link: Sign-up page
  • Occurrence: Once per post
  • Result: Program mentions link to sign-up

Use Case 4: Internal Resources

Goal: Link to internal content

  • Keyword: "link management guide"
  • Link: Internal guide page
  • Occurrence: Once per post
  • Result: Mentions link to guide

Advanced Configuration

Multiple Rules for Same Keyword

  • Create different rules for different contexts
  • Use exclusion zones to control where each applies
  • Example: "Amazon" in content vs. "Amazon" in headings

Case Sensitivity

  • Use case-sensitive for proper nouns ("iPhone", "Nike")
  • Use case-insensitive for common terms ("running shoes")

Priority Order

  • Rules are processed in order
  • First matching rule wins
  • Order rules by specificity (most specific first)

Troubleshooting

Links Not Appearing

  • Check rule is enabled: Toggle status
  • Verify keyword matches: Check case sensitivity
  • Check occurrence limit: May have reached limit
  • Verify target link exists: Link must be active

Too Many Links

  • Reduce occurrence limit: Change to "Once"
  • Review keyword specificity: Use more specific terms
  • Disable rule temporarily: Test without auto-linking

Links in Wrong Places

  • Enable exclusion zones: Headings, links, code blocks
  • Review keyword specificity: Make keyword more specific
  • Check rule order: More specific rules first

Performance Issues

  • Limit number of rules: Too many rules slow processing
  • Use occurrence limits: Prevents excessive processing
  • Review keyword specificity: Specific keywords process faster

Tips & Tricks

Testing Auto-Links

  1. Create test rule with specific keyword
  2. Add keyword to test post
  3. View post to verify linking
  4. Adjust settings as needed

Monitoring Performance

  1. Check analytics for auto-linked keywords
  2. Monitor click-through rates
  3. Adjust rules based on performance
  4. Remove underperforming rules

Content Strategy

  1. Plan keywords before creating rules
  2. Coordinate with content team
  3. Document which keywords are auto-linked
  4. Review rules quarterly

Next Steps

Need help? Check our FAQ or contact support.