Anchor Text

What is Anchor Text?  

Anchor text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. Typically, it appears underlined or highlighted in a different color, signaling that it’s a link to another webpage.

For example, in the sentence “Learn more about semantic SEO,” the words “semantic SEO” form the anchor text.  

Well-crafted anchor text ensures users understand where they’ll be directed when they click while helping search engines gauge the relevance of the linked page.  

Why Anchor Text Matters for SEO  

Anchor text performs a dual role—it informs users while guiding search engines.

For search engines, anchor text provides context about the destination page.

For example, "best beginner SEO guide" as anchor text signals that the linked page contains content relevant to beginner SEO tips.

Google uses this to better rank pages for relevant search queries.  

For users, clear anchor text improves navigation, helping visitors find the content they need without confusion.  

However, SEO is evolving. Gone are the days when exact-match keywords ruled the anchor text game.

Today, Google prioritizes contextual relevance over keyword-stuffed links, enabling more natural, meaningful connections between pages.  

By leveraging semantic SEO—focusing on the broader context of a topic—and entity-based linking, you can ensure that your anchor texts align with modern search engine algorithms.  

Real-World Example of Anchor Text in Action

Don't just take my word for it though. Look to Cyrus Shepard - one of my favorite SEO influencers- to tell us more.

Zyppy SEO analyzed 23 million internal links across 1,800 websites, uncovering valuable insights about anchor text and SEO.

‍‍Their study revealed that pages benefited significantly from internal links, but only up to approximately 45–50 links per page; beyond this threshold, effectiveness declined, likely due to excessive sitewide navigation links.

Anchor text variety emerged as a major factor correlated with higher search traffic, surpassing sheer link quantity.

Interestingly, naked URL anchors were linked to increased traffic, exact match anchors provided substantial SEO advantages, while empty anchor texts showed no notable effect.

These findings highlight the importance of balanced, varied anchor text strategies.

Anchor Text Best Practices  

To make the most out of anchor text in your SEO strategy, follow these simple yet effective tips:  

1. Make It Relevant  

Your anchor text should align with the content of the linked page. For example, if you’re linking to an article about "email marketing tips," use descriptive text like "effective email marketing strategies," rather than generic phrases like "read more."  

2. Keep It Concise  

Avoid overly long anchor texts. A well-crafted phrase of 2–5 words is often sufficient to convey intent without overwhelming readers.  

3. Use a Mix of Anchor Types  

Don’t rely solely on exact-match keywords. Diversify your anchor text by using branded anchors (e.g., "Jasper AI"), generic links (e.g., "learn more"), and naked URLs (e.g., "www.example.com") to create a natural linking structure.  

4. Avoid Keyword Stuffing  

Keyword-stuffed anchor texts like "best cheap SEO tools low-cost SEO tools 2024" feel forced and can trigger penalties from search engines. Stick to natural language that makes sense in context.  

5. Update Anchor Text Regularly  

SEO is dynamic, and so is the way users search for information. Audit your anchor text periodically to ensure that it’s still relevant and aligned with current trends.  

Elevate Your SEO with Effective Anchor Text  

Anchor text may seem like a small detail, but it’s a critical tool for optimizing your SEO strategy. By focusing on contextual relevance, semantic SEO, and diverse anchor usage, you can improve both your site's ranking and user experience.  

Start experimenting with these tips in your link-building strategy and watch your organic traffic grow. Need help refining your approach? Drop us your questions in the comments or join our newsletter for regular SEO tips and trends.