What’s Anchor Texts and Why Should You Care?

byNickNachkov

202 followers

5 months ago

Anchor texts are one of those little things that don’t look like much, but they can seriously impact how well your site ranks and how many people actually click through and take action. It’s that clickable text in a hyperlink - you know, the blue underlined words (unless you’ve styled them differently) that you see all over the web.

If you’re trying to improve your SEO or get more people to check out your offers, blog posts, or products, then you really can’t afford to mess this up. So let’s break it down.

What Exactly Is Anchor Text?

Anchor text is just the visible, clickable part of a hyperlink. So, for example, if I write:

👉 Check out my post on how cold affects tire pressure.

The anchor text here is: “how cold affects tire pressure”. That’s what both search engines and readers see. Behind the scenes, that’s linking to a specific URL.

Simple, right? But the way you use that text - and what you put in it - actually matters a lot more than most people think.

Why Anchor Text Matters for SEO?

Google uses anchor text to figure out what the linked page is about. It’s part of how they connect the dots between content across the web. If 20 different sites are linking to your article and using the same phrase like “best summer tires” in the anchor text, Google starts thinking, “Okay, this page probably is about the best summer tires.”

So yeah, it helps with rankings. But it goes deeper than that.

If your anchor text is:

• Too vague (like “click here”), you’re wasting a chance to tell Google what the page is actually about.
• Over-optimized (like stuffing the same exact keyword every time), Google may flag it as spammy.
• Totally unrelated or misleading, you’re just confusing everyone - including your readers.

The key is balance. You want your anchor text to sound natural but still give both the user and the algorithm a clear idea of what they’ll find when they click.

Different Types of Anchor Texts (And When to Use Them)

Here are a few common types and how I personally use them:

1. Exact Match

This is when the anchor text is the exact keyword you’re targeting.

• Example: “best all-season tires” linking to a page about, well, the best all-season tires.
• When to use: Sparingly. It works, but if you use it too much, it starts to look sketchy.

2. Partial Match

Includes your keyword but adds a bit of variation.

• Example: “Check out these tips for choosing the best all-season tires”
• When to use: Often. This feels natural and still tells Google what the linked page is about.

3. Branded

Your brand name as the link.

• Example: “See more reviews over at Kaiser Wheels”
• When to use: Anytime you’re linking to your own stuff. It helps build your brand identity.

4. Naked URLs

Just the raw link itself.

• Example: “https://yourblog.com/best-rims-for-winter-driving”
• When to use: Rarely. It’s not user-friendly and doesn’t give any real info.

5. Generic

The classic “click here” or “read more.”

• When to use: Only when it makes sense in context. Otherwise, it’s a missed opportunity.

Anchor Text and Conversion - Yep, It Matters Here Too

It’s not just about SEO. Anchor text actually helps nudge people to take action. The words you use in a link can either get someone curious enough to click - or make them scroll right past it.

For example:

• “Check this out” is kind of ”not good”.
• “See how I cut tire noise in half using this one change” makes you want to click.

It’s all about giving people a reason. Be clear, be relevant, and make it feel like there’s value behind the link.

And here’s a little trick I use: Think of your anchor text like a mini call-to-action. It doesn’t have to be pushy, but it should suggest there’s something useful or interesting on the other side.

Don’t Overthink It… But Don’t Ignore It Either

Anchor text isn’t rocket science, but ignoring it is one mistake that can drag down your rankings and your click-through rate. Just remember:

• Keep it natural
• Mix it up
• Make sure the page it links to actually delivers on what the anchor text promises
• Don’t keyword stuff (seriously, Google sees right through that)

If you’ve already got a bunch of posts live, it’s worth going back and checking your internal links. You might be surprised how many “click here” and vague anchors you’ve used without even realizing it.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, anchor texts are like little SEO signals that also double as a way to guide your readers. Get them right, and you make Google happy and improve your conversions. Get them wrong, and you’re missing out on a simple win.

So yeah, it’s a small detail - but definitely not one you want to overlook.