# Pagination (rel prev / next)

> Pagination splits a long list across several pages. The rel='prev' and rel='next' links mark how those pages follow each other.

- **Check ID:** S29
- **Area:** [SEO](https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo)
- **Tool:** [SEO + Security + Performance](https://be1st.ai/tools/ssp-audit)
- **Page:** https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo/pagination-rel-prev-next

## Why it matters

Proper pagination helps search engines understand that multiple pages form a logical whole. Without it, paginated pages may be perceived as duplicate content with similar titles and descriptions.

## In practice

E-shops like Alza.sk use pagination in categories with dozens of products. In 2019 Google announced that it no longer uses rel prev/next for indexing, but other search engines such as Bing may still treat it as a signal. What matters is that every page has its own URL (e.g. /shoes`?page=2`) and internal links to the following pages.

## How be1st checks it

Checks for proper use of rel='prev' and rel='next' on paginated pages. These attributes inform search engines about the relationship between pages in a sequence (e.g., page 1, 2, 3). The check only applies when the page contains a pagination element; pages without one pass automatically.

[SEO + Security + Performance](https://be1st.ai/tools/ssp-audit), SEO tab.

Every check ends as: Pass, Warning, Fail.

## Sources

- [Consolidate Duplicate URLs](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/consolidate-duplicate-urls) (Google Search Central)
- [HTML `<link>` Element](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Reference/Elements/link) (MDN Web Docs)

## Related terms

- [Internal links](https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo/internal-links): Internal links point from one page to other pages of the same website. They help visitors and crawlers find content and spread authority across the site.
- [Breadcrumb navigation](https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo/breadcrumb-navigation): Breadcrumb navigation is the trail of links (Home / Category / Page) that shows where a page sits in the structure of a website.
- [Title tag](https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo/title-tag): The title tag is the HTML `<title>` element that names a page. Browsers show it in the tab and search engines usually use it as the clickable headline of a result.
- [Title length](https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo/title-length): Title length is the number of characters in a page's title tag. A short title wastes space in search results, a long one gets cut off with an ellipsis.
- [H1 heading](https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo/h1-heading): The H1 is the main heading of a page, the `<h1>` element. It tells readers and search engines what the page is about, so each page should have exactly one.
- [Heading hierarchy](https://be1st.ai/glossary/seo/heading-hierarchy): Heading hierarchy is the order of headings from H1 to H6. A correct outline nests them by level without skipping any, like the chapters and sections of a book.