Pagination Moz: The SEO Secret Sauce for Blog Traffic

Let’s be honest: pagination isn’t the flashiest topic in SEO. It’s not the Beyoncé of digital marketing — more like the reliable bass player who keeps the band together. But if you’re running a blog, e-commerce site, or any content-driven operation, understanding pagination (and what Moz has to say about it) can be the difference between your content being discovered or languishing in the digital void. So, let’s break down how pagination Moz-style can help your site — and how we at Blogging Machine make it effortless.

Why Does Pagination Matter for SEO?

Picture this: you’ve written 200 blog posts (or, if you’re using us, your AI agent has). If you dump them all on one page, your readers will need a scroll wheel made of titanium. Pagination — splitting content across multiple pages — keeps things tidy, user-friendly, and, crucially, search engine-friendly.

But here’s the kicker: pagination directly impacts how Google and other search engines crawl, index, and rank your content. Do it wrong, and you risk orphaned pages, wasted crawl budget, and diluted link equity. Do it right, and your content gets the attention it deserves.

Moz’s Take: Pagination Best Practices

Moz, the SEO world’s wise uncle, has some clear advice on pagination. Here’s what they recommend (and what we bake into our platform):

• Link to as many paginated pages as possible — but don’t go wild. Historically, 100 links per page is a safe upper limit.
• Show newer content at the top. Freshness matters for both users and search engines.
• Use categories and subcategories to help search engines (and humans) navigate your site.
• Link back to your main listing page from each paginated URL. This reinforces the importance of your top content.

As Moz puts it:

“Try to link to as many pages of the pagination structure as possible without breaking the 100(ish) links per page limit.”

Google’s Pagination Plot Twist

Remember when Google told us to use rel="prev" and rel="next"? Well, in 2019, they quietly stopped caring about those tags. (If only they’d do the same for algorithm updates, right?)

What does Google want now?

• Every paginated page should be crawlable and accessible.
• Canonical tags matter: Each paginated page should point to itself, not just the first page.
• Avoid infinite scroll (unless you’re using server-side rendering or hybrid solutions). If Googlebot can’t see your content, it might as well not exist.

For the full scoop, check out Google’s official guidance.

Common Pagination Pitfalls (And How to Dodge Them)

Even seasoned SEOs trip up on pagination. Here are the classic blunders:

• Canonicalizing all paginated pages to page 1: This tells Google to ignore your deeper pages. Oops.
• Noindexing paginated pages: You’re basically hiding your content from search engines.
• JavaScript-only pagination: If Googlebot can’t crawl it, it doesn’t count.
• Weak navigation: Only using “next/previous” links makes it hard for search engines to find all your content.

As Search Engine Land recently put it:

“The way your site handles pagination could be the reason some of your ecommerce products or blog posts never appear on Google.”

Pagination Moz: Best Practices Table

Real-World Advice: Pagination for Modern SEO

Let’s get practical. Here’s how we (and you) can ace pagination:

• Use numbered links (1, 2, 3…) in addition to “next/previous.” This helps both users and search engines.
• Include paginated pages in your XML sitemap. Don’t leave them out in the cold.
• Monitor crawl stats in Google Search Console. If your paginated content isn’t being indexed, it’s time for a tune-up.
• For infinite scroll, make sure there’s a paginated URL structure behind the scenes. Google’s documentation has the details.

The Infinite Scroll Debate

Infinite scroll is trendy, but it’s not always SEO-friendly. Unless you’re using server-side rendering or hybrid solutions, Google might not see your content. Traditional pagination is still the gold standard for SEO, especially for content-heavy sites.

For more on this, see Search Engine Journal’s guide to infinite scroll and SEO.

How Blogging Machine Makes Pagination (and SEO) Effortless

Here’s where we shamelessly (but subtly) toot our own horn. At Blogging Machine, our AI agent doesn’t just churn out SEO-optimized articles — it also structures your blog for maximum crawlability and user engagement. We:

• Automatically paginate your content using Moz and Google best practices.
• Optimize internal linking so every post gets its moment in the sun.
• Keep your XML sitemap fresh and accurate.
• Monitor for crawl and index issues so you don’t have to.

All you have to do is sit back, sip your coffee, and watch your organic traffic climb. (Or, you know, focus on other parts of your business.)

FAQ: Pagination Moz & SEO

Q: Should I canonicalize all paginated pages to page 1? A: Nope! Each paginated page should have a self-referencing canonical tag. Otherwise, you risk losing valuable content from Google’s index.

Q: Is infinite scroll bad for SEO? A: Not inherently, but if Googlebot can’t access your content, it’s a problem. Always provide a paginated URL structure behind the scenes.

Q: How many pagination links should I include per page? A: Moz suggests up to 100 links per page is safe. More than that, and you risk overwhelming both users and search engines.

Q: Can I noindex paginated pages? A: Avoid it! Noindexing paginated pages can orphan your content and hurt your SEO.

Q: What’s the best way to monitor pagination issues? A: Use Google Search Console to track crawl stats and index coverage. And if you’re using us, we’ll handle the heavy lifting.

Final Thoughts: Pagination Moz-Style for Effortless SEO

Pagination isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. By following Moz’s guidance and Google’s latest recommendations, you can ensure your content is discoverable, indexable, and ready to rank. And if you’d rather not wrestle with canonical tags and crawl budgets, let us at Blogging Machine handle it for you.

For more deep dives on SEO best practices, check out these resources:

• Moz’s Guide to Pagination and SEO
• Google’s Pagination Documentation
• Search Engine Land: Pagination and SEO
• Search Engine Journal: Infinite Scroll and SEO

Ready to let AI handle your blog (and pagination) headaches? Visit Blogging Machine and see how effortless high-performing content can be.