This article has been substantially updated to remove older SEO formulas and reflect a more useful, reader-first approach to anchor text.
Anchor text is the clickable text in a link. Good anchor text helps readers understand where a link will take them and can also give search engines useful context about the linked page.
What Is Anchor Text?
In this sentence, the linked words are the anchor text:
I built this site with WordPress.
The word "WordPress" tells the reader what the destination is before they click.
What Does Anchor Text Look Like in HTML?
A basic link looks like this:
<a href="https://example.com">Helpful blogging guide</a>
The words between the opening and closing anchor tags-"Helpful blogging guide"-are the anchor text.
What Makes Good Anchor Text?
The best anchor text is usually descriptive, concise and natural in the sentence around it. A reader should have a reasonable idea what they will find after clicking.
For example, this is clearer:
than a vague instruction such as:
click here
That does not mean generic anchor text is always wrong. Sometimes "learn more," "download the guide," "view the recipe," or "contact us" makes perfect sense because the surrounding sentence already supplies the context. Clarity matters more than following an artificial formula.
Common Types of Anchor Text
- Descriptive: words that describe the linked page, such as "seed-starting checklist."
- Branded: a business, publication or website name.
- URL: the web address itself.
- Action-oriented: phrases such as "download the planner" or "read the full interview."
- Generic: phrases such as "learn more" or "click here." These are not automatically bad, but they should still make sense in context.
- Image links: when an image is linked, the image's alternative text may help provide context. Alt text should describe the image's meaningful content or function for accessibility rather than being stuffed with SEO keywords.
Anchor Text for Internal Links
Internal links connect one page of your site to another. They help readers discover related content and help show how your articles fit together.
Instead of repeatedly linking the exact same keyword phrase every time, write naturally. If one post explains nofollow, sponsored and UGC link attributes, use language that accurately describes that resource wherever it fits the sentence.
Anchor Text for External Links
When linking to another website, choose text that explains why that resource is relevant. You do not need to manipulate anchor text to try to influence another site's rankings.
If the link is paid, sponsored or affiliate-related, the link relationship itself should also be identified appropriately. See the nofollow vs dofollow explanation for the difference between normal links, nofollow, sponsored and ugc.
Do You Need Exact-Match Keywords?
No. Older SEO advice often encouraged bloggers to repeat exact-match keyword anchor text or deliberately create a certain mix of anchor-text types. That can make writing awkward and encourage over-optimization.
Use the words that best describe the destination for your reader. Variety will usually happen naturally when links are written in real sentences instead of built around a keyword quota.
Should You Bold Keywords Near the Beginning of a Post?
You may bold words for emphasis or readability, but there is no need to bold a target keyword simply to send a special ranking signal. Likewise, there is no rule requiring a long-tail keyword within the first 150 characters.
Make the beginning of the article clear enough that a reader immediately understands the subject. That is a much better goal.
Anchor Text Main Takeaways
- Anchor text is the clickable wording of a link.
- Make links understandable before the reader clicks.
- Use descriptive language naturally rather than forcing exact-match keywords.
- Use internal links to connect genuinely related content.
- Do not treat "click here" as forbidden, but prefer clearer wording when context is weak.
- Write image alt text for accessibility and meaning, not keyword stuffing.
For more beginner-friendly help, continue with 5 SEO Tips to Optimize Your Blog Posts and Easy SEO Tips for Beginners.
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