Anchor text is a clickable, visible text in a hyperlink that directs users from one webpage to another. It is typically highlighted and underlined, often appearing in blue by default (this varies depending on website themes). Anchor text helps to imprve user experience and search engine rankings.
The relevance of anchor text can significantly influence how search engines interpret the content linked to it. When well-optimised, descriptive anchor text can provide valuable context about the destination page, helping search engines better understand the context of the linked page. This can help to get pages ranking (more promoinentely) for relevant queries.
There are a number of different anchor texts, which include:
1. Exact Match: Contains keywords that exactly match the target page’s primary keyword.
2. Partial Match: Includes variations or related terms rather than an exact match.
3. Branded: Incorporates a brand name.
4. Generic: Uses non-specific phrases like “click here” or “read more.”
5. Naked Links: Displays URLs instead of traditional anchor text.
Effective use of diverse and relevant anchor texts not only enhances SEO but also improves click-through rates by enticing users with clear indications of what they will find upon clicking. There are some draw back to anchor text as over-optimisation or manipulative practices, like excessive use of exact-match anchors can lead to penalties from search engines like Google due to perceived spammy behaviour. With this in mind, it’s best to maintain a natural balance of anchor texts on your page ensuring clarity and relevance is always considered.
