Finding the best external linking plugins for WordPress can save you from SEO headaches and improve how visitors interact with your site.
I learned this the hard way when my blogs lost engagement because external links weren’t opening in new tabs or carrying the right nofollow settings.
That’s when I realized a simple plugin could handle everything from opening external links in a new tab to adding nofollow tags and even highlighting them for better user experience.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top free tools I’ve tested so you can manage your links smarter and protect your SEO.
What Is an External Linking Plugin?
An external linking plugin for WordPress helps you manage how links to external websites behave on your site. These plugins offer features like:
- Opening external links in a new tab/window to keep visitors on your site.
- Adding nofollow, noopener, or noreferrer attributes to external links for SEO and security.
- Indicating external links with icons for better user experience and accessibility.
These plugins are commonly used in:
- Blogs and content-heavy websites to manage outbound links.
- Affiliate marketing sites to control link behavior and SEO.
- News and media sites to ensure external links open correctly and securely.
In short, an external linking plugin not only improves your site’s usability but also protects your SEO and enhances security.
By managing how outbound links behave, these tools ensure a smoother experience for your visitors and give you greater control over your website’s performance.
Why Trust This List?
Now that you know why managing external links matters, the next question is obvious: why should you trust this list of the best external linking plugins for WordPress?
Every plugin on this list has been tested on live and staging sites, where I checked things like update frequency, ease of setup, SEO impact, and compatibility with modern WordPress themes and builders.
That means you’re not just reading theory. From personal experience, I’ve dealt with plugins that looked promising but later broke layouts or slowed down my sites. That’s why I only recommend tools that pass long-term reliability checks.
If a plugin isn’t updated regularly or fails to handle Google’s latest SEO practices, it doesn’t make the cut. And to keep things transparent, none of these recommendations are sponsored.
This list is created with one purpose: helping you manage external links in a way that improves SEO, protects your PageRank flow, and keeps readers happy. In short, you get the same advice I’d give a close friend who asked me which free plugin to trust in 2025.
Best External Linking Plugins for WordPress Comparison
So, after walking you through why you can rely on this list, let’s make things even easier. Instead of scrolling endlessly, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the best external linking plugins for WordPress in 2025.
If you’re short on time, this table gives you the quick answer: which plugin is best for which type of site owner. Whether you’re a blogger worried about SEO, a beginner who just wants links to open in a new tab, or someone focused on user trust, you’ll spot the right choice in seconds.
| Plugin | Best For | Key Features | Ease of Use | SEO Impact | Rating |
| External Links | Bloggers, affiliate marketers, SEO pros | Full control over external link behavior | Easy | High | ★★★★★ |
| External Links in New Window/Tab | Beginners, small sites | Simple external link opener, lightweight | Easy | Moderate | ★★★★☆ |
| Indicate External Links | Accessibility-focused sites, transparency lovers | Adds icons/styles to external links for better UX and accessibility | Moderate | Moderate | ★★★★☆ |
| Nofollow External Links (SEO) | SEO-conscious bloggers, affiliate marketers | Auto-adds nofollow to external links | Easy | High | ★★★★☆ |
This table is like your “cheat sheet”—quick, simple, and designed to help you decide at a glance without drowning in details. Later in the article, I’ll break down each plugin with descriptions, features, and pros/cons so you can make a fully informed choice.
Top 4 Best Free External Linking Plugins for WordPress
So, now that you’ve seen the big picture in the comparison table, let’s dive a little deeper. If you just want simple external link management without dozens of confusing settings.
Three plugins stand out right away: External Links in New Window/Tab, Indicate External Links, and Nofollow External Links (SEO). Each one solves a specific problem in a clean, lightweight way.
In the next sections, I’ll break down each plugin one by one, starting with External Links (by WebFactory), which is the most complete solution if you want full control.
1. External Links (By WebFactory)
If you’re looking to take full control over your external links in WordPress, this plugin is a game-changer. When I first started managing multiple blogs.
I didn’t realize how much of a difference external link settings made until I saw Google crawling errors and users bouncing. That’s when I turned to this plugin.
The “External Links” plugin by WebFactory offers a comprehensive solution to manage both external and internal links on your site. It allows you to control icons, nofollow, noopener, UGC (user-generated content), sponsored attributes, and whether links open in a new window or tab.
This level of control is ideal for SEO-focused users who want to ensure their links are optimized for both user experience and search engines.
Key Features
- Manage External and Internal Links: Easily control all links on your site, ensuring consistency and adherence to best practices.
- Open Links in New Window or Tab: Enhance user experience by keeping visitors on your site longer.
- Add Follow or Nofollow (for SEO): Control the flow of PageRank and prevent passing authority to untrusted sites.
- Add Noreferrer and Noopener (for security): Protect your site from potential security risks associated with external links.
- Add UGC (User Generated Content) and Sponsored Values to Rel (Google Announcement): Stay compliant with Google’s guidelines for user-generated content and sponsored links.
- Add Link Icons (FontAwesome and Dashicons): Visually distinguish external links to improve user experience.
- Set Other Attributes Like Title and CSS Classes: Customize links to fit your site’s design and functionality.
- Scan Complete Page (or Just Posts, Comments, Widgets): Ensure all links are accounted for and properly configured.
- SEO Friendly: Designed with search engine optimization in mind to help improve your site’s rankings.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Comprehensive control over all link attributes. | May require some time to configure all settings. |
| Enhances both SEO and user experience. | Advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners. |
| Regular updates and active support. |
In my experience, this plugin has been invaluable in managing external links across multiple sites. Its comprehensive features and ease of use make it a top choice for anyone serious about SEO and user experience.
2. External Links in New Window/New Tab
If you’ve ever clicked an external link and found yourself leaving a site completely, you know the frustration and the bounce rate it can cause. That’s exactly the problem this plugin solves.
External Links in New Window/New Tab is a lightweight, no-nonsense solution that ensures every external link opens in a new tab or window, keeping your visitors on your site longer.
When I first added it to one of my smaller blogs, the difference was immediate. Visitors stayed longer, and I noticed a small but meaningful improvement in engagement metrics.
It’s simple, focused, and perfect for site owners who don’t want to fuss with dozens of settings or advanced configurations.
Key Features
- Open External Links in New Tab/Window: Ensures your readers don’t leave your site when clicking on outbound links. Perfect for retaining traffic.
- Lightweight and Fast: Minimal impact on site speed or performance. Ideal for small sites or beginner blogs.
- Simple Setup: Activate and configure in minutes—no complicated options to navigate.
- Compatibility Friendly: Works well with most themes and page builders without conflicts.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely easy to use and configure. | Limited to opening links in a new tab—no advanced features. |
| Perfect for beginners and small sites. | Not suitable if you need full SEO control over link attributes. |
| Lightweight plugin with minimal performance impact. | Lacks visual indicators or styling options for external links. |
In my experience, this plugin is ideal if your main goal is user retention and simplicity. It doesn’t overwhelm you with options, and it does one thing very well: keep visitors from leaving your site unintentionally.
3. Indicate External Links
After covering External Links in New Window/New Tab, which focuses purely on keeping visitors on your site, the next plugin I want to highlight takes user experience to the next level. Indicate External Links isn’t just about where links open.
It’s about showing visitors which links lead outside your site. This small visual cue can make a huge difference in trust and accessibility.
When I first started using this plugin on one of my blogs, I was surprised how often readers appreciated the clarity. Before, some users would click external links expecting internal content and felt “lost” when a new site loaded.
Adding subtle icons or styles gave my pages a more polished, professional feel, and honestly, it made my content feel more transparent and trustworthy.
Key Features
- External Link Icons: Automatically adds small icons next to external links, so users immediately know they’re leaving your site.
- Customizable Styles: Choose your own icon sets, sizes, and colors to match your site’s design.
- Accessibility-Friendly: Enhances transparency for all users, including those using screen readers or assistive devices.
- Selective Application: Apply icons only to posts, pages, or specific content areas.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Improves user trust and transparency. | Doesn’t manage SEO attributes like nofollow automatically. |
| Accessible and user-friendly design. | Slight learning curve if you want full customization. |
| Customizable icons and styling to fit your theme. | Adds a tiny bit of extra code to pages. |
In my experience, Indicate External Links is perfect if your focus is UX and accessibility. It won’t handle SEO-heavy tasks like controlling rel attributes, but for blogs or content-heavy sites where trust and clarity matter, it’s a small plugin that makes a noticeable impact.
4. Nofollow External Links (SEO)
After covering plugins focused on UX and visual clarity, let’s talk about SEO protection. If you’re running affiliate links, sponsored posts, or just want to safeguard your PageRank flow.
Nofollow External Links (SEO) is the plugin that does this automatically. It’s straightforward but powerful for anyone who wants to make sure Google understands which links should pass authority and which shouldn’t.
When I first managed multiple affiliate blogs, I realized that manually adding rel=”nofollow” to hundreds of external links was a nightmare. I kept forgetting some, and it started affecting my SEO tracking.
That’s when I installed this plugin, and it instantly handled the work I was dreading; every external link could now have the right SEO attributes without me lifting a finger.
Key Features
- Automatic Nofollow: Adds rel=”nofollow” to all external links automatically, so you don’t have to manually edit each one.
- Selective Application: Apply nofollow to all external links, only affiliate links, or exclude certain URLs.
- Custom Rules: Combine with UGC or sponsored attributes for Google compliance.
- Lightweight and Fast: Minimal impact on site performance—important for SEO-conscious sites.
- Easy Setup: Configure in minutes; no coding required.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Saves time by automatically applying nofollow. | Advanced users may want more granular control. |
| Helps protect Page Rank and SEO health | Doesn’t add visual indicators like icons. |
| Lightweight and easy to configure. | Limited styling or UX features. |
| Supports UGC and sponsored attributes for compliance. | Mostly focused on SEO, not UX. |
In my experience, Nofollow External Links (SEO) is perfect if your priority is SEO management rather than UX flair. It’s especially useful for affiliate marketers and bloggers who want to prevent PageRank leakage without spending hours manually editing every post.
FAQs About External Linking Plugins for WordPress
1. What is the best external linking plugin for WordPress in 2025?
The best overall is External Links by WebFactory. It gives full control over SEO, UX, and link attributes. That said, other plugins shine in specific cases—like simple new-tab behavior or adding visual link indicators. Choose based on your site’s needs.
2. Should I make all external links nofollow?
No. Only use nofollow for affiliate, sponsored, or untrusted links. Keep normal editorial links dofollow to maintain natural SEO flow. Overusing nofollow can confuse search engines and reduce your site’s authority.
3. Does opening external links in a new tab help SEO?
Not directly. Google doesn’t count new tabs as a ranking factor. But it improves user experience. Visitors stay longer on your site, which can reduce bounce rate—a subtle SEO benefit.
4. How can I highlight external links in WordPress?
Use the Indicate External Links plugin. It automatically adds small icons or styles to external links. This improves transparency, trust, and accessibility for your readers.
Which External Linking Plugin Is Best for You?
You’ve seen the top external linking plugins for 2025. Now, let’s figure out which one fits your site best.
Want full control over SEO and UX? Use External Links (By WebFactory). I use this on sites where every link needs to be perfect. It handles nofollow, UGC, sponsored links, icons, and more. It takes a few minutes to set up, but it’s worth it.
Just want links to open in a new tab? External Links in New Window/Tab is perfect. It’s simple and fast. Your visitors stay on your site longer. I recommend it to beginners.
Want visual cues for external links? Try Indicate External Links. It adds small icons next to links. Readers know when a link goes off your site. This improves trust and accessibility.
Need SEO protection with automatic nofollow? Nofollow External Links (SEO) is your plugin. I used to tag hundreds of links by hand. It was tiring. This plugin does it all automatically. Google sees your links exactly as you want.
Pick one or two plugins that match your goals. Maybe one for SEO control and one for user experience. Keep it simple. Install one of these plugins today. Take control of your external links, your SEO, and your readers will thank you.