First, before I get to tell you what anchor text is and how to optimize your keywords, using that keyword as your AT to help you rank for that keyword.
Let’s see what Google official (John Mueller) said about AT:
“Most links provide an additional context through their AT. At least they should”
He furthered to say that AT and image alt text helps Google in understanding context so Google wouldn’t leave it out if you can avoid it.
Key Note: Please the abbreviation “AT” is the short form of “Anchor Text”
What these imply, is that anchor text helps to understand what the link is all about. That said, it may also mean that AT is a ranking factor everyone should consider.
Anchor Text | What is Anchor Text | How does it contribute to ranking #1 on Google
The dilemma is how does AT affect keyword ranking?
What type of AT works best?
Is there a specific AT that affects ranking and one that doesn’t?
If so, how do I go about it?
Ok, that’s what this post will shield light on. Keep reading…..
What is Anchor Text?
Anchor text is those clickable, colored or underlined words that link different web page or post together. In other words, it’s the clickable text that you see in a hyperlink.
For instance, this particular post is linked to a post titled “SEO Strategy | A 3 Step SEO Tactics (What Works TODAY)” this text on the blue color is an AT of that link.
Benefits of Anchor Text
- It gives directions to both the web site’s user and search engines.
- It helps in navigating to the right information
- They act as reference sources.
- Anchor text also helps web browsers and search engines in knowing the link to follow.
Anchor Text Variations
People use anchor text differently especially people linking to your blog post. Even you interchange the way you use AT when doing internal linking to other web pages in your blog.
Variations #1: “SEO Tips | 7 Pro Tips to Rank on Google Top Page Within 30-90 Days” is the best list of SEO tips I have come across.
The above variation AT contains that exact keyword I would want to rank on Google.
Variation #2: Jiganet SEO Tips | 7 Pro Tips to Rank on Google Top Page Within 30-90 Days is the most actionable SEO tips. You need to look at it.
This variations anchor text contains that keyword I would want to be ranked but not the exact match. that is to say, it’s a partial keyword.
Variation #3: jiganet.com has the best list of SEO tips | 7 Pro Tips to Rank on Google Top Page Within 30-90 Days. It might help.
This variation contains a Domain or root page branded AT.
Variation #4: click here to view SEO Tips | 7 Pro Tips to Rank on Google Top Page Within 30-90 Days. You need it, if you want to rank on Google top page.
This variation contains a naked anchor text.
In Sum
There are two major types of anchor text: exact match and partial match AT.
Pro Tips
- Your AT should consist of words and phrases that closely match the topic of your embedded link.
- Use your own unique and varied AT.
What anchor text variations are best in boosting my ranking?
According to a study carried out by “Agrefs” on 384,614 web pages. It pretty clear that using the exact keyword phrase you want to rank as your AT helps to boost your ranking on Google.
Here is the analogy behind that…..
How Does Anchor Text Affect Google Ranking
Is AT a Google rank factor?
We’ve said before that anchor text helps Google in understanding the context of a link, what the page is about and the keyword to rank it for.
First, Google uses different tactics to improve the user experience for search results. And they do that through page rank, AT, and closeness of information to a particular keyword phrase.
For instance, if I link this particular page to “SEO” as the AT, that tells Google that this page might have information related to “SEO”.
When other readers of this post do this same. Linking this page with an AT “SEO” Google’s assurance as to information on this page in connection with SEO increases. Which will help them conclude that this page should rank for “SEO”.
To Google, it makes no sense that two or five people will link to a page with the same AT if that page has nothing to do with that particular word. “SEO”.
That is why Google uses AT as a rank factor.
Though because of manipulative “AT”, Google in time past has released algorithm updates to fight against it.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not still a Google ranking factor.