Anchor text is an important element yet often overlooked in search engine optimization (SEO). It’s not only visible text that guides readers to additional resources but also provides search engines with critical context about the linked content. When used strategically, optimized anchor text can significantly enhance a website’s SEO performance and improve user experience.
What is Anchor Text?
Anchor text is the visible, clickable text found in a hyperlink, typically highlighted and underlined, serving as a link to another webpage or document.
Utilizing descriptive anchor text can help to enhance user experience and SEO. It helps users and search engines to easily understand the linked resource's content. On the other hand, failing to optimize anchor text or resorting to generic phrases like "click here" is not a good SEO strategy.
For example, the anchor text above “house cleaning service Singapore” tells Google that the page that they will be referred to is about house cleaning services in Singapore. On the other hand, text like “click here” gives zero context about what kind of page the anchor text will bring you.
Why is Anchor Text Important?
As explained above, anchor text is not only a clickable text that brings readers to another page. It is an important part of SEO strategy as it can provide both users and search engines with context about the content of the linked page.
To give more ideas on how optimized anchor text can enhance SEO, below are some of the important factors that highlight the importance of anchor text:
- Anchor text provides contextual relevance which helps search engine algorithms determine the relevance of the linked page to the topic or keyword, which can help to influence search rankings.
- Descriptive and relevant anchor text will help users understand what to expect from the linked content before clicking. It guides them seamlessly through a website's navigation, enhancing user experience and reducing bounce rates.
- Well-optimized anchor text can contribute to how pages are indexed and ranked in search results.
- Anchor text plays an important role in link-building efforts. When other websites use specific anchor text to link to your content, it strengthens the credibility and authority of the page.
Types of Anchor Text
There are six most common types of anchor text that you should know of. Understanding each of them can help you to implement the usage of anchor text in the right way.
1. Exact Match
Anchor text is an “exact match” if it includes the exact keyword that you used on the page it is linking to.
Example: Linking to a web page about professional cleaners in Singapore using the anchor text "professional cleaner"
2. Partial Match
Includes variations or parts of the keyword phrase, along with some additional words that are used to add more context.
Example: Linking to a web page about professional cleaners in Singapore using the anchor text "hire the best professional cleaner"
3. Branded
Branded anchor text means that you simply use the brand name as the anchor text without any other words for added context.
Example: Hire Cardinal Digital to improve your SEO strategy!
4. Naked Link
Simply displays the URL as the anchor text.
Examples: https://www.cardinaldigital.com/
5. Generic
Generic anchor text doesn't have any keywords that can be a reference of where the anchor text will take the user. It only contains generic words like "click here" or "read more.”
Example: Click here for more info!
6. Related Keywords
The anchor text for the keywords resembles partial-match anchor text but excludes the exact keyword itself. It serves as a useful means to offer context about a linked page without repetitively using the same keyword.
Example: Linking to a web page about professional cleaners in Singapore using the anchor text "Get the most experienced cleaning service in Singapore with ease!"
Anchor Text Best Practices for SEO
As anchor text plays a vital role in optimizing your website for search engines, there are a couple of strategies that you should do to maximize its potential. Check out all of the anchor text best practices you can implement, below!
Focus on Relevance and Context
Relevance is the foundation of effective anchor text. The text should accurately reflect the content of the page it links to. If the anchor text doesn’t align with the linked page, it can confuse users and weaken the link’s value in search engines’ eyes. Irrelevant text can lead to lower rankings and even penalties.
Choose the Right Anchor Text Type
As explained above, there are several types of anchor text available. Understanding each of the types is important to ensure you can pick the right type for your content. For example, if you aim to build authority, then using branded anchor text is a great option.
Avoid Overuse
Repeating the same anchor text excessively can appear unnatural to search engines. In some cases, over-optimized anchor text can even trigger penalties. Search engines value diversity and natural linking patterns. Overusing one type of anchor text can be seen as manipulative. What you can do instead is to maintain variety in your anchor text while ensuring that it remains relevant and descriptive.
Diversify Anchor Text
Diversity in your anchor text ensures your link profile looks natural and can improve SEO performance. Use a mix of branded, generic, keyword-rich, and long-tail anchor text to balance optimization with authenticity. Here’s how to diversify anchor text effectively:
- Use branded text when linking to your pages
- Opt for decorative or long-tail phrases for external resources
- Incorporate natural language to make links feel organic
Placing Anchor Text Strategically On The Page
The placement of your anchor text influences its visibility and effectiveness. Links placed prominently (e.g., in the introduction or body) tend to have a higher impact than those buried in footers or sidebars. Moreover, people are more likely to click on links they see early in the content.
Make Sure People Can See the Link
If users can’t easily see or distinguish a hyperlink, it reduces the link’s value and usability. Visible and well-styled anchor text improves click-through rates (CTR) and user experience. Some of the things you can do to improve hyperlink visibility are:
- Use a contrasting color for the hyperlink, such as blue text
- Ensure links are underlined or styled differently to stand out
Links that are easy to spot can encourage readers to click and engage with your content.
Cardinal Digital for Better SEO!
If you want to do anchor text optimization or get an in-depth analysis of your website’s anchor text optimization, you should reach out to Cardinal Digital to get started.
Our expert team will be able to guide you along the way and provide you with well-crafted anchor text that can contribute significantly to your site SEO efforts!
