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Understanding Anchor Text for SEO

Updated: Mar 14


understanding anchor text for SEO

 

TLWR - Anchor text is what you attach your hyperlinks to.  There are many styles, and it helps your visitors navigate your website more easily while boosting your site's SEO from within.  Good anchor text links from external sites to yours also improve your SEO ranking.

 

Quicklinks:


The world of SEO is always changing – it seems like every day there’s a new practice to be aware of. But some things never change, like anchor text.


These useful bits of copywriting are the foundation of the crosslinks between your site and others. And they’re super important – they’re small, but Google LOVES them. Using them correctly can substantially boost your SEO ranking.

What is Anchor Text?

In a nutshell, anchor text are the words you use to hyperlink off to another website. Just like a real anchor, they tether one thing to another – they just so happen to be digital instead of in the ocean.


​Does Anchor Text for SEO Matter?

Absolutely. Having good crosslinks can be the difference between life and death for your site (and the business that’s attached to it). Anchor text beefs up the user experience by giving readers quick access to more information, which is vital for SEO purposes.


Also, when you have good quality backlinks from another site to your own - especially when those links have good anchor keywords attached (more on that later) - your own SEO will improve.  Creating a good user experience in relation to your site pays off big when it comes to rankings.


Anchor text can also be a place to hold downloadable files, stored on a cloud service like Google Drive. This is a great way to add value to your site. However, make sure the links don’t come across as spam, and that any sites you visit are trustworthy like the Clever Canadian. You don’t need any malware setting up shop in your system.


(See all those blue links above? Those are examples of anchor text.)

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Types of Anchor Text

  1. Exact Match: Includes the exact keyword that the linked page is targeting.

  2. Partial Match: Includes a keyword phrase with other generic or random words.

  3. Random Anchor: Includes phrases that are not quite generic, but not as direct as the keyword.

  4. Long-Tail Anchor: Includes your chosen keyword with related, generic, and descriptive additions.

  5. Generic Anchor: Includes a direct CTA or otherwise draws attention to the link.

  6. Branded: Text that includes your brand name or public names associated with your brand.

  7. Brand + Keyword: Like the branded anchor text, but also includes a keyword, too.

  8. Naked Link: An unedited URL, pasted into the text directly from the address bar.

The role of anchor text in SEO can't be overstated. It serves as a sort of bridge between your website and others, allowing people to navigate seamlessly while signalling relevance to search engines. When used effectively, anchor text can really enhance your website's SEO ranking. It's not just about using keywords; it's about crafting compelling and descriptive anchor text that makes users want to click and explore further. By utilizing different types of anchor text, such as exact match, partial match, or branded variations, you can diversify your linking strategy and maximize the impact on search engine algorithms. Remember, anchor text is not only about enhancing SEO; it's about providing a positive user experience, guiding visitors to things that will help them, and establishing your own website as a trusted authority in your niche


Considerations for Anchor Text

The quality of information available on your site is a huge factor in your SEO rankings. So, by giving readers the right context of where your links are going, they are more likely to have a good experience and find what they need.


Anchor texts are just one part of a strong SEO strategy, and they take time to get right. If you don’t have the time to learn all about the ins and outs of good digital marketing in the current year, why not get a hand up from Mindset Media? Reach out today to find out more.



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