What does Anchor Text mean?

Anchor text is the highlighted or underlined portion of a hyperlink that users click to navigate to another page. It not only guides users but also provides context to search engines about the destination page’s content. For example, linking the phrase “SEO tips” to a guide about search engine optimization helps both readers and algorithms understand what to expect.

There are different types of anchor text, including exact match, partial match, branded, generic, and naked URLs.

Example

“In the sentence ‘Check out our SEO checklist,’ the phrase ‘SEO checklist’ is the anchor text linking to a downloadable guide.”

What are ways to use “Anchor Text” in your business?

Use descriptive and relevant anchor text to improve SEO and user experience. Internally, link key pages using anchor text that reflects the target page’s focus. For external backlinks, aim to get a mix of branded and keyword-rich anchor text without over-optimizing. Avoid using vague terms like “click here,” which provide no context to search engines.

Anchor text strategy plays a role in both on-page and off-page SEO, especially in how Google understands your site’s structure and authority.

Pro Tip

Keep anchor text natural and varied - overusing exact-match keywords in links can trigger search engine penalties for spammy optimization.