Anchor text, also known as link text, is the clickable text used in a hyperlink. It is the text that shows up when a web user hovers their mouse over a link. Anchor text plays an important role in SEO as it affects the ranking of a website in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
In SEO, anchor text is used to signal to search engines what a page is about, and what it should rank for. When used correctly, anchor text can be a powerful tool to improve rankings. In this article, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of using anchor text to improve rankings.
The first step in using anchor text to improve your rankings is to ensure that you’re using relevant anchor text. Relevant anchor text should be related to the content on the page it’s linking to. For example, if you’re linking to a page about SEO, the anchor text should mention something about SEO. This will tell search engines that the page linked to is related to the topic of search engine optimization.
Another important factor to consider when using anchor text is to vary the text you use. You don’t want to use the same anchor text over and over again; this will make it look like you’re trying to manipulate search engine rankings. Instead, use different variations of the same keyword or phrase, such as “SEO tips”, “search engine optimization advice”, and so on.
You should also use branded anchor text. This is anchor text that mentions the name of your business or website. This will help you to build a stronger brand presence in the SERPs.
Finally, when using anchor text in your content, you should aim to use a natural ratio of branded and non-branded anchor text. This means that you should use some branded anchor text and some non-branded anchor text, such as related keywords. This will create a more balanced link profile and help you to avoid any potential penalties from search engines.
Using anchor text to improve your rankings is a great way to gain more visibility in the SERPs. However, it’s important to remember to use relevant anchor text, to vary the text you use, and to use a natural ratio of branded and non-branded anchor text. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to improving your rankings.