Anchor text is clickable text that links somewhere. Proper use of anchor text benefits SEO, while generic anchor text (e.g. a link saying “click here”) doesn’t. Anchor text can be branded, sometimes listing only the brand name it links to, other times adding a keyword. Exact match anchor text lists the exact keyword, but text can also include partial matches or related keywords. “Naked” anchor text lists the actual URL of the link. Images can also be used as anchor text. For best practice, use relevant anchor words, keep it succinct, and try to avoid exact match, generic, or naked anchor text. Additionally, pay attention to the words surrounding the anchor text. Anchor text can be added with HTML code, but sites like WordPress make it easier. A Site Audit tool can help identify problems with anchor text on a web page.
Key Takeaways:
- When you’re writing a statement that requires citation, this citation is often referred to as a branded anchor text since it links to a direct brand.
- When an anchor text is generic, it means that visitors have to look at additional data to find more context as to what it is implying.
- If you’re using an image to mark a key point, including alt text is important in case the image doesn’t load for some visitors. This way, they can still click on relevant text.
“That’s because both search engines and readers use anchor text to determine what a linked page is about.”
Read more: https://www.semrush.com/blog/what-is-anchor-text-and-how-can-i-optimize-it/
