Optimizing Anchor Texts: The Underestimated Ranking Factor
The anchor text is the visible, clickable text of a link. In HTML, it sits between the opening and closing a-element. Google uses the anchor text as a signal for what the linked page is about. A link with the anchor text "Drupal agency" pointing to arocom.de signals Google: this page is relevant for "Drupal agency."
Anchor Texts for Internal Links
Descriptive rather than generic. "Click here" and "learn more" waste ranking potential. "Optimize crawl budget" or "Install Drupal modules" are specific and help search engines and users alike.
Natural variation. Do not always use exactly the same anchor text for the same link target. Natural variations like "crawl budget," "how Google crawls," and "optimize crawling" appear authentic.
Consider context. The anchor text must fit the surrounding text. A link text that disrupts the reading flow hurts usability — and therefore SEO.
Anchor Texts for External Backlinks
Check your backlink profile. Analyze which anchor texts other websites use when linking to you. An overweight of money keywords ("cheap Drupal agency") appears unnatural and can lead to penalties.
Healthy distribution. A natural anchor text profile consists of brand keywords (arocom), generic terms (here, website), URL anchors (arocom.de), and topical anchors (Drupal agency Stuttgart). No single type dominates.
Penguin update. Google's Penguin algorithm penalizes manipulative anchor text profiles. Buying backlinks with optimized anchor texts risks ranking losses.
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arocom analyzes your link structure and anchor texts and optimizes them for better rankings. Get in touch for a conversation.
What is an anchor text?
The clickable text of a hyperlink. Search engines use the anchor text to classify the content of the linked page. Synonyms are link text, anchor text, and reference text.
Why is anchor text important for SEO?
Google associates the anchor text with the linked page. A link with the text 'Drupal agency' signals Google that the target page is relevant for this term. This applies to both internal and external links.
What makes a good anchor text?
Descriptive, natural, and fitting in context. It names the topic of the target page without appearing forced. 'Click here' is bad. 'Optimize anchor texts' is good.
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