What is Meant by Anchor Text? SEO Basics Explained

Definition

Anchor text refers to the clickable text in a hyperlink. It is the visible and clickable part of a link that directs users to another webpage or resource. This text is usually underlined and colored differently to indicate that it’s a link.

In HTML, anchor text is placed between the <a> tag like this:

<a href=”https://example.com”>Click here to learn more</a>

In this example, “Click here to learn more” is the anchor text. The anchor text gives users and search engines a clue about the content of the linked page, which can be crucial for navigation and search engine optimization (SEO).

Is Anchor Text Good for SEO?

Yes, anchor text is crucial for SEO. It helps search engines understand the relevance and context of the page being linked to. When search engines crawl a page, they use anchor text to interpret what the linked page is about. Here’s why anchor text matters for SEO:

1. Context and Relevance

Anchor text provides context for the linked page. For example, if you link to a page about “SEO tools,” using anchor text like “top SEO tools” will help search engines understand the relevance of that link to SEO-related content.

2. Improved Crawlability

Anchor text also improves a website’s crawlability. Proper internal linking with descriptive anchor text allows search engines to index pages more efficiently.

3. Link Equity Distribution

The text used in external links plays a role in how link equity (or “link juice”) is passed to other pages. The more relevant and descriptive the anchor text, the more effective the link will be in passing SEO value.

Learn more about anchor text in SEO from Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO.

How Do I Create Anchor Text?

Creating anchor text is simple, but it’s important to ensure that it is descriptive, relevant, and clear. Here are the steps to create effective anchor text:

1. Identify the Page You Want to Link To

First, determine which page on your website or another site you want to link to. This could be a product page, blog post, or any other relevant content.

2. Write Descriptive Text

Next, write the anchor text that describes the linked page. Avoid generic anchor text like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, describe what users can expect by clicking the link. For example, if you’re linking to a guide on “SEO basics,” your anchor text should be something like “comprehensive SEO guide.”

3. Use Relevant Keywords

When appropriate, include relevant keywords in the anchor text. This helps with SEO by making it clear what the linked page is about. However, avoid keyword stuffing. Use natural, user-friendly language.

4. Add the Anchor Text to Your Link

Once you’ve written the descriptive text, add it to the HTML link structure like this:

<a href=”https://example.com/seo-basics-guide”>Comprehensive guide to SEO basics</a>

This is a well-structured anchor text that clearly tells both users and search engines what the linked page is about.

What Does Anchor Text Look Like?

Anchor text typically appears as blue, underlined text, though this can vary depending on the website’s design. In most cases, it’s distinguishable from regular text due to its color and underline. However, anchor text can also appear as buttons or images, depending on the design of the website.

Here’s an example of what anchor text looks like in a typical context:

Example:

Here’s an example of effective anchor text for SEO — this text, when clicked, leads to a relevant SEO article.

<a href=”https://example.com/seo-guide”>Effective anchor text for SEO</a>

This anchor text would appear as clickable text in a webpage and lead users to a page that explains how anchor text helps SEO.

Why is Anchor Text Important for SEO?

Anchor text is vital for SEO because it helps search engines understand the content of the page you are linking to. Here’s why anchor text is critical:

1. Search Engine Understanding

Search engines use anchor text to understand the topic of the destination page. If a page is linked with relevant keywords, it signals to search engines that the linked page is relevant to those terms.

For example, if your website’s anchor text points to a page about “SEO for beginners,” Google will understand that the linked page is likely about SEO basics.

2. Enhances Ranking Signals

Anchor text is one of the factors that Google uses to determine rankings for certain keywords. A well-optimized anchor text can help improve the ranking of the linked page for specific search queries.

3. Signals Trust and Authority

Relevant, high-quality links with optimized anchor text can increase the trust and authority of both the linking and linked pages. This is especially important for off-page SEO when you’re earning backlinks from external websites.

For more information, refer to Google’s Webmaster Guidelines

Types of Anchor Text

There are several types of anchor text, each serving different SEO purposes. Here’s an overview of the most common types:

1. Exact Match Anchor Text

Exact match anchor text uses the exact keyword you’re targeting for the linked page. For example, if you’re linking to a page about “SEO tips,” the anchor text would be “SEO tips.”

Example:

Anchor Text: SEO tips

2. Partial Match Anchor Text

Partial match anchor text includes a variation of the target keyword. It’s less aggressive than exact match and can be more natural.

Example:

Anchor Text: Best tips for SEO

3. Branded Anchor Text

Branded anchor text uses the brand name or company name as the anchor text. This is often used for building brand visibility and authority

Example:

Anchor Text: SEO Learning

4. Generic Anchor Text

Generic anchor text uses non-descriptive terms like “click here” or “read more.” While this type of anchor text is easy to use, it doesn’t provide much SEO value.

Example:

Anchor Text: Click here

5. Naked URLs

A naked URL is simply the URL of the page being linked to, without any anchor text. Although it’s not ideal for SEO, it’s still commonly used.

Example:

Anchor Text: https://example.com/seo-tips

SEO Best Practices for Anchor Text

To get the most SEO value from anchor text, follow these best practices:

1. Be Descriptive and Relevant

Always ensure that the anchor text is relevant to the linked content. Descriptive and meaningful anchor text helps users and search engines understand what the linked page is about.

2. Avoid Overuse of Exact Match

While exact match anchor text can be beneficial, overusing it can be seen as manipulative by search engines and lead to keyword stuffing. Mix up your anchor text types to make it more natural.

3. Keep it Short and Clear

Anchor text should be concise and to the point. Avoid making the anchor text too long or overly complex. Aim for 2-5 words of descriptive text.

4. Use Anchor Text for Internal Linking

Anchor text is also essential for internal linking. Use descriptive anchor text to link to other relevant pages within your site. This improves crawlability and helps users navigate your site more easily.

5. Optimize for User Experience

Ultimately, anchor text should be designed with the user in mind. It should help them navigate to relevant content and enhance their experience on your site.

For a deeper dive into best practices, check out Moz’s Guide to Anchor Text.

Conclusion

Anchor text is a crucial element of SEO that helps search engines understand the relevance and context of your content. By following best practices such as using descriptive, relevant anchor text and avoiding overuse of exact match phrases, you can improve your SEO strategy and enhance user experience. Make sure to also explore different types of anchor text and use them strategically to boost your site’s rankings.