Ristiinlinkittämällä

Ristiinlinkittämällä, often translated as interlinking or cross-linking, is a fundamental concept in wiki-based content management systems. It refers to the practice of creating hyperlinks within a wiki's pages that connect to other pages within the same wiki. This internal linking creates a network of related information, allowing users to navigate seamlessly between articles and discover new content.

The primary purpose of ristiinlinkittämällä is to enhance the discoverability and organization of information. By linking relevant terms and concepts, authors guide readers to more detailed explanations or related topics, enriching their understanding. It also helps to establish the hierarchical and interconnected structure that is characteristic of wikis. When a word or phrase on a page is enclosed in wiki markup, such as double square brackets like [[topic]], it typically becomes a clickable link to a page with that title. If a page with that title does not yet exist, the link often appears differently (e.g., red) to indicate it as a "redlink," prompting the creation of new content.

Effective ristiinlinkittämällä is crucial for a well-functioning wiki. It aids search engines in indexing the wiki's content and helps users find the information they need more efficiently. Overlinking or linking to irrelevant pages can, however, detract from the user experience and clutter the content. Therefore, the practice should be applied thoughtfully and with the reader's journey in mind.