Anchor Text

Ever clicked on a link that says “click here”?
Yeah… that’s anchor text. But I’m afraid that’s not the best way to do it.

Let’s break it down properly.

What is Anchor Text?

Anchor text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink.
It’s what users see.
And more importantly—it’s what search engines read to understand what the linked page is all about.

So when you link to a page using words like best SEO tools instead of just click here…
You’re giving Google a big, juicy clue about what’s on the other side.

And that’s SEO gold.

Why Anchor Text Matters

Search engines use anchor text as a ranking signal.
It helps them figure out the topic and relevance of the page you’re linking to.

So the right anchor text can:

  • Boost your rankings

  • Improve user experience

  • Strengthen internal linking

  • Build context for crawlers

Pretty powerful for a few words, right?

Types of Anchor Text

Let’s run through the usual suspects:

  1. Exact Match – Uses the exact keyword (e.g. on-page SEO linking to a guide about on-page SEO)

  2. Partial Match – Includes a variation (e.g. guide to SEO basics)

  3. Branded – Uses your brand name (e.g. Tech O’Clock)

  4. Naked URLs – The full link as text (e.g. https://techoclock.com)

  5. Generic – Words like click here, read more… not ideal for SEO

  6. Image Anchor – When an image is linked, the alt text becomes the anchor text

Common Mistakes Many People Make

  • Over-optimising – Using exact match anchors over and over? That can look spammy.

  • Not linking at all – Missed opportunities everywhere.

  • Using vague phrases – “Click here” tells search engines nothing.

  • Ignoring internal links – You’re sitting on a goldmine. Use it!

Best Practices for Anchor Text SEO

✅ Keep it relevant
✅ Mix it up—don’t use the same text every time
✅ Avoid keyword stuffing
✅ Make it natural for readers
✅ Use internal anchor text to connect related content

In short?
Anchor text is tiny but mighty. Like the signposts of the internet.

Use them right, and they’ll guide both users and search engines exactly where you want them to go.

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