Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink that you often see in a different color or underlined in online content. In SEO, anchor text is important because:
- It helps users: Clicking on descriptive anchor text gives users a clear idea of what they will find on the linked page.
- It aids search engines: Search engines, like Google, use anchor text to understand the context and content of the linked page, helping to rank it for relevant searches.
Types of Anchor Text
- Exact-match: Includes the keyword that the linked page targets (e.g., “SEO tips”).
- Partial-match: Contains a variation of the keyword (e.g., “tips for SEO”).
- Branded: Uses the brand name as the anchor (e.g., “Google”).
- Generic: Non-specific text like “click here”.
- Naked URLs: The URL itself is used as the anchor (e.g., “www.example.com”).
In summary, choosing the right anchor text is strategic in SEO, aiming to provide value to users while also maximizing the linked page’s relevance and rank for specific keywords.
