New Guardian editor Kath Viner is making her mark at King’s Place. Busy news journalists were grateful for this urgent missive yesterday, reminding them of “one of the most important elements of… good journalism” – adding links to previous Guardian articles in your copy to game traffic. She is even naming and shaming hacks who don’t comply.

One of the easiest things everyone can do is link to other Guardian stories when writing a Guardian story.

It’s very simple (highlight the word; Apple K; paste in link) and yet is one of the most important elements of digital practice and good journalism. It gives readers context and background, and it drives traffic.

It’s especially relevant for reporters and writers; simply add as many relevant links as you can to previous articles (which may well include items you wrote yourself). Although desk editors and subs often help out after the fact, it’s not their responsibility — the person who wrote the story is best-placed to know the linkable items that will be most helpful to readers.

Ophan has a particular page to show the most-read pieces on a given day which contain no internal links. Here is yesterday’s list of shame.

If you’re unsure how to do it, feel free to have a discreet word with anyone on the desks, or Chris Moran.

Get linking please!

Thanks,
Kath

Newshounds breaking stories might unfairly sniff at Viner’s features background, but she is of course completely correct. You can read Guido’s past stories on the Guardian and Ms. Viner here and here…