Anchor Text Explained

Anchor text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. In the context of search engine optimization (SEO), anchor text plays a crucial role in how search engines interpret the content and context of a webpage. It is a strong signal to search engines about the topic of the linked-to webpage and can influence the ranking of that webpage in search engine results pages (SERPs).

As such, it is important for SEO practitioners to be strategic and mindful when selecting anchor text. In this article, we will delve into the various types of anchor text, best practices for using anchor text in SEO, and how to measure the impact of anchor text on a webpage’s ranking.

The text that you see when clicking on a link is called anchor text. Here is an HTML code sample:

<a href="https://www.linkresearchtools.com">Best Link Tool</a>

Resulting in the browser rendering the link Best Link Tool.

There are several types of anchor text that can be used in a hyperlink:

1. Exact match anchor text: This type of anchor text uses the exact keyword or phrase that the linked-to webpage is optimized for. For example, if the linked-to webpage is about “cat food,” the anchor text might be “cat food.”
2. Partial match anchor text: This type of anchor text uses a variation of the keyword or phrase that the linked-to webpage is optimized for. For example, if the linked-to webpage is about “cat food,” the anchor text might be “best cat food brands.”
3. Branded anchor text (“Brand”): This type of anchor text uses the name of a brand or company as the anchor text. For example, if the linked-to webpage is about a product from “Acme Inc,” the anchor text might be “Acme Inc.”
4. Naked link anchor text: This type of anchor text uses the URL of the linked-to webpage as the anchor text. For example, if the linked-to webpage is at “www.example.com/cat-food,” the anchor text might be “www.example.com/cat-food.”
5. Generic anchor text (“Other”): This type of anchor text uses a generic term like “click here,” “read more,” or “learn more” as the anchor text.

When it comes to using anchor text in SEO, there are a few best practices to follow:

1. Use a mix of anchor text types: It is important to vary the types of anchor text used in a webpage’s outbound links. Using a mix of exact match, partial match, branded, and generic anchor text can help search engines better understand the content and context of the webpage.
2. Use relevant anchor text: The anchor text should be relevant to the content of the linked-to webpage. Using unrelated or misleading anchor text can harm the credibility and ranking of both the linking webpage and the linked-to webpage.
3. Avoid overoptimization: Using an excessive amount of exact match anchor text can be seen as overoptimization by search engines and may result in a penalty. It is important to strike a balance and use a mix of anchor text types.
4. Use descriptive anchor text: Using descriptive anchor text can help users better understand the content of the linked-to webpage and can improve the user experience.

There are several tools and techniques that SEO practitioners can use to measure the impact of anchor text on a webpage’s ranking:

1. Google Search Console: Google Search Console provides some data on the anchor text of inbound links to a webpage. This can help SEO practitioners identify high level patterns and trends in the anchor text of inbound links and assess the impact on the webpage’s ranking.
2. Link analysis tools: There are various link analysis tools available, and LinkResearchTools tries to be the best of them. These tools can help SEO practitioners analyze the anchor text of a webpage’s links and identify opportunities for improvement.
3. Rank tracking tools: Rank tracking tools can help SEO practitioners monitor the ranking of a webpage for specific keywords. By comparing the ranking of a webpage with changes to the anchor text of its inbound and outbound links, SEO practitioners can assess the impact of anchor text on ranking.

Anchor text is a crucial factor in SEO, as it helps search engines understand the content and context of a webpage. By following best practices and using a mix of anchor text types, SEO practitioners can improve the ranking of a webpage in search engine results pages. By using tools and techniques to measure the impact of anchor text on ranking, SEO practitioners can optimize the anchor text of a webpage’s inbound and outbound links to drive better results.

Anchor text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. By default, it’s often blue and underlined.