What constitutes 'overlinking' in a Wikipedia article, and why is it discouraged?

'Overlinking' in a Wikipedia article refers to the excessive use of internal links, specifically linking common words, everyday terms, dates, and other items that are generally well-understood by readers, or linking the same term multiple times within a short span of text. It is discouraged because it can clutter the article, distract readers from more important links, and reduce the overall readability and aesthetic appeal of the page. Wikipedia's Manual of Style provides guidance on when to link and when not to link. Generally, a term should only be linked once in the lead section (the introductory paragraph) and once again in the main body of the article, if it is relevant to the context. Linking common words like 'city,' 'country,' or 'year' is almost always considered overlinking. Repeatedly linking the same term within the same section is also discouraged. The goal is to provide helpful links to relevant information without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary or redundant links. For example, linking the word 'oxygen' every time it appears in an article about the atmosphere would be considered overlinking, while linking it once in the lead and perhaps again in a relevant section about its chemical properties would be appropriate.