Core+ Links

Core+ Links is a WordPress plugin for finding and managing internal links from an index stored on the site. In the Gutenberg block editor, its sidebar ranks possible destinations using eight weighted signals and shows match strength. Users can adjust anchor text, insert a suggested link in one click, or dismiss suggestions. Keyword rules find matching text for review before the links are applied. A history supports undoing one change, a full run, or links added under a rule. Reports identify pages with no inbound links and pages with fewer links than their importance calls for. Link Health flags internal links to unpublished, trashed, or missing pages, but does not check external URLs over HTTP. Free indexing, suggestions, auto-linking, and Link Health run on the site's server and database without sending content to outside services. The free plan is permanent and covers posts and pages. The plugin requires WordPress 6.6 or later, PHP 7.4 or later, and Gutenberg; classic editor support and multisite network activation are not supported.

Core+ Links combines link suggestions, review-first keyword rules, undo history, and internal-link health reports. Its free plan is available permanently, while the listed Pro plans are upcoming and have no purchase option yet.

It suits WordPress site owners who want to review, add, and maintain internal links in Gutenberg. The free plan may suit sites focused on posts and pages that meet the listed software requirements.

Core+ Links is a self-hosted WordPress plugin for finding internal-link opportunities. It best suits site owners who use Gutenberg and want to keep content on their own server; the permanent free plan covers a useful editorial workflow, though the plugin does not support the Classic Editor or external-link checking.

Overview

Core+ Links builds a local index of site content to suggest internal links, apply reviewed keyword rules, and flag pages with weak or missing inbound links. Its local processing is a practical privacy advantage for publishers who do not want content sent to outside services for these core features.

The scope is deliberately narrower than a full link audit. Link Health checks links to unpublished, trashed, or missing pages, but not external URLs over HTTP. Sites using the Classic Editor or WordPress multisite network activation are not a fit; individual-site activation is supported.

Key features

Ranked suggestions and controlled insertion

The Gutenberg sidebar ranks potential link targets with eight weighted signals and shows match strength. Editors can revise suggested anchor text, insert a link in one click, or dismiss a suggestion and keep it dismissed. That gives writers a quick path from opportunity to edit while retaining control over wording and placement.

Review-first keyword rules and undo

Keyword rules scan pages for matches, but links are not applied until users review and confirm them. That safeguard is useful for larger batches where an unreviewed automatic change could create awkward anchors. Change history can undo an individual change, an entire run, or links added under a keyword rule, making corrections more manageable.

Internal-link health

Reports identify orphan pages with no inbound internal links and underlinked pages with fewer inbound links than their importance calls for. Link Health also surfaces links aimed at unpublished, trashed, or missing pages. These checks help prioritize internal structure and broken destinations, but they do not replace an external URL checker.

Pricing

The Free plan is the sensible starting point for a single Gutenberg site that can work with posts and pages and does not need external URL checks. Pro Single targets one site needing custom content types or fields and expanded automation; Pro Multi suits work across five sites, while Pro Agency is aimed at larger portfolios. The Pro plans add AI matching through a provider key, but no Pro tier can be purchased yet.

Platforms

Core+ Links is a self-hosted WordPress plugin. The download requirements are WordPress 6.6 or later, PHP 7.4 or later, and the Gutenberg block editor. Email and the WordPress.org forum are support channels; email replies generally arrive within a few business days.

Who it's for

Choose Core+ Links if you publish in Gutenberg, want suggestions and reviewable keyword-based linking in one workflow, and prefer local processing for indexing, ranking, auto-linking, and Link Health. It is less suitable for Classic Editor sites, multisite network activation, or teams that need external-link checks today.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Core indexing, suggestions, keyword rules, and health checks stay on the site's server and database, which supports a privacy-conscious workflow.
• Pro: Suggestions are ranked and editable, while keyword-rule links require confirmation and can be undone by change, run, or rule.
• Pro: The permanent free tier includes orphan and underlinked reports as well as scheduled reindexing.
• Con: Gutenberg is required, and Classic Editor support and network activation are absent.
• Con: Free Link Health does not check external HTTP URLs; that capability is reserved for upcoming Pro plans.
• Con: Pro plans have no purchase option yet, so users needing their added features cannot buy them now.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Internal Linking Tools. Consider LinkBoss if you want a web-based option with a free trial and 50 free credits on signup, or Relinka if you prefer a self-hosted WordPress plugin with no account or API key and a $59.00 per year Pro plan for one site. Interlink is another free self-hosted option, and its stated requirements include WordPress 5.5+ and PHP 7.4+.

InterLinks may suit readers looking for a web-based tool with a demo tier and paid monthly plan; Internal Link Juicer offers a free version and a 1 Site License; Link Whisper has a free WordPress.org version for manually inserting outbound link suggestions; Linkagent offers an AGPL-3.0 self-hosted option that requires your infrastructure; and Linkbot is a web-based option with a free Starter tier for one website property and up to 1,000 URLs, without automated linking or ongoing sync.

Verdict

Core+ Links is a strong fit for Gutenberg publishers who want a permanent free internal-link workflow with local processing, review gates, and undo history. Pick it for those editorial controls and internal-page reports; look elsewhere if you need Classic Editor support, external HTTP checks now, or a purchasable Pro license.