Anchor text is the words you click inside a link. Simple thing, but it doing bigger job in SEO. You see “internal linking guide”, click it, and reach a page about internal links. That words are anchor text.
For me, good anchor text should tell little story before the click. You must know where link taking you. Google also use these words for understanding linked page. So keep it clear, short, natural, and related. Not just “click here” everywhere. Your reader need clue, not surprise.
What Does Anchor Text Look Like?
Anchor text is the words you can click inside a link. You see it every day, maybe without thinking much.
For example, internal linking guide is anchor text.
Behind that simple text, HTML look like this:
<a href="/internal-linking/">internal linking guide</a>
Here, <a> is the link element, /internal-linking/ is the page URL, and internal linking guide is the anchor text.
I usually ask one simple thing: Can reader guess where this link goes before clicking? If yes, anchor text doing its job.
Images can work little different. When an image is linked, its alt text may help act like anchor text. So write useful alt text, not random words.
Why Is Anchor Text Important for SEO?
Anchor text looks small, but it doing more work than we usually notice. When you link words like “internal linking guide,” reader already know what may come after click. Google also use that link text for understanding what the next page is about.
I learned this while fixing old posts. Some links was only saying “click here” or “read more.” It gives almost no clue. I changed few of them into clear words related with destination page. Navigation became easier, and connections between my pages also looked more natural.
Good anchor text SEO also help search engines move through your site, find related pages, and understand page relationships. For people, it reduce guessing. For screen-reader users too, descriptive link text can make navigation less confusing.
But don’t think anchor text alone will push a page to top. It is only one SEO signal among many. Use clear words, match the linked page, and don’t force keywords everywhere.
8 Types of Anchor Text—with Examples
Anchor text looks small on page, but it tells a lot. When I first worked with internal links, I was using same keyword again and again. Looked smart to me. Later, it felt forced. Reader also can feel that.
Here are the common types of anchor text you will see.
| Type | Example | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Exact match | anchor text | Same keyword as target page |
| Partial match | SEO anchor text best practices | Main keyword mixed with extra words |
| Branded | Google Search Central | Uses company or website name |
| Brand + keyword | Ahrefs Backlink Checker | Brand name plus topic or product word |
| Related / semantic | descriptive link wording | Different words, but same topic meaning |
| Article-title | What Is Anchor Text? | Uses exact page or article title |
| Naked URL | example.com/anchor-text/ | URL itself becomes clickable text |
| Generic | click here | Gives very little idea about next page |
There is also image anchor text. When an image becomes a link, search engines can use its alt text for understanding that link.
Which one should you use? No single type wins every time. I normally ask one simple thing: Will you understand where this link goes before clicking it?
If yes, mostly you are doing fine.
Mix anchor text naturally. Use exact match when it fits. Use partial and related words when sentence needs freedom. Branded anchors are useful while pointing to known sources. Try not filling a page with click here, because reader gets almost nothing from it.
Good anchor text should feel part of sentence, not SEO word pushed inside.
Internal-Link Anchor Text vs. Backlink Anchor Text
Internal-link anchor text is one thing I like more, because you control it. You choose page, words, place, even sentence around link. If I have page about keyword research, I may link it with “keyword research guide”, not always “click here.” Simple. Reader already know where link may take him. Google also says internal-link anchor text should be concise and relevant to the page it points toward.
Backlink anchor text is little different. Another website links to you, so many times you don’t control the words. One site may use your brand name. Other use page title. Some give naked URL. This mixed thing can happen naturally.
I learned one problem here. People sometimes try to force exact-match backlink anchors again and again because they think more keyword means more ranking. That can become risky. Google’s spam policy warns about links made mainly to manipulate search rankings, including links using optimized anchor text in manipulative ways.
So I don’t chase one “perfect anchor text ratio.” Google gives no official percentage.
For internal links, my small rule is: describe the page, keep it natural, help the reader first. For backlinks, I care more about relevant real links than trying to control every anchor word.
7 Anchor Text SEO Best Practices
Anchor text looks small, but it can change how people understand your link. I learned this after seeing pages where every internal link used same keyword again and again. It looked forced. Reader also feel something not natural.
1. Tell where the link goes. Your anchor text should give small promise about next page. Instead of “click here,” write “learn internal linking basics.” Reader already know what coming.
2. Keep it short, but not empty. Long anchor text can look messy. Very short generic words also give no meaning. Use enough words to explain destination.
3. Match anchor with target page. If link says “anchor text examples,” destination should actually show those examples. Don’t send reader somewhere different. That break trust fast.
4. Put links inside natural sentences. I usually write sentence first. Then I see which words make sense for link. Doing opposite often make writing sound like keyword machine.
5. Use keywords, but don’t push them. Exact-match anchor text can fit sometimes. Partial-match and semantic phrases also work naturally, like “SEO link wording” or “descriptive internal links.” Repeating one phrase everywhere is not needed.
6. Make links easy to notice. Reader should understand something is clickable. Hidden-looking links create confusion, especially on mobile pages.
7. Think about real people first. A good anchor should still make sense when somebody reads only that link text. This also help accessibility. For internal linking, connect pages because they truly help each other, not only because same keyword appears there.
Good anchor text is simple idea: describe honestly, link naturally, and help reader move forward without guessing.
Anchor Text Examples: Good vs. Bad
Anchor text looks small, but it can change how a link feels. I see this mistake many times. Someone writes “click here”, and reader has no clue where that click going. Better write “Google’s SEO Starter Guide.” Now you already know what waits after click. Google also says link text should help users and Google understand the linked page.
Here simple difference:
| Bad anchor text | Better anchor text |
|---|---|
| Click here | Google’s SEO Starter Guide |
| Learn more | Internal linking best practices |
| Read more | Anchor text SEO guide |
| Best cheap SEO agency cheap SEO services | SEO agency selection guide |
| See this page | How to audit internal links |
I used to think adding more keywords inside anchor text means more SEO value. Not really. Stuffing words makes link ugly, sometimes even suspicious.
Your anchor should tell truth about next page. If link says “free SEO tools” but opens paid service page, reader feel cheated. That is poor experience.
Simple rule I follow now: read only the anchor text. If you can guess where link goes, mostly it is good. Google recommends descriptive and reasonably concise link text, and even updated its own documentation anchors for better accessibility.
Anchor Text Mistakes That Can Hurt SEO and UX
I seen many websites doing same mistake. Every link use same exact keyword again and again. best SEO tools, best SEO tools, then again best SEO tools. It may look smart first, but it can become forced. Your page should help person reading it, not look like links placed only for Google.
Another common problem is keyword stuffing inside anchor text. Google says good anchor text should be descriptive, reasonably short, and related with both pages. So instead of writing click here everywhere, tell what reader will actually get.
Also check these small things:
- Don’t send a useful anchor to unrelated page.
- Avoid very long sentence as one link.
- Use descriptive words instead of raw URL when possible.
- Make links easy to notice.
- For image links, don’t forget useful alt text. Google says image alt text can work as anchor text.
I also would not build backlinks just because one keyword is there. Google calls links made mainly to manipulate rankings link spam, and such practices may hurt Search visibility.
Before adding link, I ask simple thing: Will this linked page really help the reader now? If answer is no, I leave it.
Does Google Penalize Exact-Match Anchor Text?
No, using exact-match anchor text one time does not mean Google punish your page. This fear comes often in SEO. You link the words “best running shoes” to a page about best running shoes, that itself is normal.
Problem starts when links look made only for rankings.
I see it simple way. If every backlink coming with same keyword, from strange sites, paid pages, or forced guest posts, then pattern can look unnatural. Google spam policies mainly care about links created to manipulate search rankings, not one exact-match keyword sitting inside useful content.
Internal links are little different too. You control them. Using clear keyword anchor text can help reader know where link goes.
And forget those magic numbers like “keep exact match under 5%.” Google gives no official safe percentage.
Use exact match when it fits. Mix wording naturally. Never build links just to hit some anchor ratio.
How to Audit Anchor Text on Your Website
Anchor text audit look small work, but when I check websites, many strange things come from here. You may think links are fine because they are opening. But opening link is not same as useful link.
First, crawl your website and export source URL, destination URL, and anchor text. Tools like Semrush or seoClarity can help doing this faster. Then I normally search simple words first: “click here,” “read more,” “learn more,” and empty anchor links. These links not always bad, but many times they tell almost nothing about next page.
Then look for repeated anchor text. If 40 different links saying same keyword again and again, it can feel forced. I prefer changing them by page meaning, not just changing words randomly.
Check another problem also. Anchor says “WordPress SEO guide,” but destination page talking about hosting plans. That link is confusing reader.
Also find:
- broken destination URLs
- important pages having very few internal links
- orphan pages getting no useful links
- image links missing useful alt text
- anchors too long or stuffed with keywords
When fixing, don’t make every anchor “SEO perfect.” I did that before. Page started looking unnatural. Write anchor like normal person giving direction. Reader should know where link goes before clicking it.
Quick Anchor Text Checklist
Before adding any anchor text, I ask simple thing: will reader know where this link goes? If not, I change it.
- [ ] Anchor text explain the next page clearly.
- [ ] It stay short, not whole long sentence.
- [ ] Words match both current page and linked page.
- [ ] Link sound normal inside sentence, not pushed keyword.
- [ ] Reader can easily see it is clickable.
- [ ] Screen-reader user can understand link purpose too.
- [ ] Linked page really help your reader.
- [ ] You are not forcing exact-match backlinks just for SEO.
Good anchor text feels useful first. SEO benefit comes with that.
Anchor Text FAQs
What is anchor text in SEO?
Anchor text is the clickable words you see inside a link. Like, I may write SEO keyword research guide, and those words take you another page. Simple thing, but it tells people what may come after click. Google also says link text gives users and Google information about linked page.
Does anchor text affect SEO?
Yes, anchor text can help SEO, mainly because it gives some meaning around a link. But I never treat it like magic ranking button. Google says useful anchor text help search engines and readers understand linked page before they visit it. So, relevance matter more here. Link should make sense where you placed.
What is the best anchor text?
For me, best anchor text is the one where reader already knows what waits after clicking. Not clever words. Not keyword pushed everywhere. Suppose your page is about internal linking, internal linking best practices feels much useful than read this. Google recommends anchor text that is descriptive, reasonably concise, and relevant to both pages.
Is “click here” bad anchor text?
“Click here” is not some forbidden words. Still, I avoid it most times. The trouble is reader learns nothing from it. See our WordPress speed guide tells something. “Click here” tells almost zero. This become more important for people using assistive technology, because meaningful link words help them understand where link goes.
Can I use the same anchor text more than once?
Yes. Same anchor text can appear again when it naturally points to same kind of destination. I would not start changing every link just because SEO fear comes. W3C even notes that links going to the same destination can use the same description. But different destinations should have words that make their purpose clear.
Is exact-match anchor text safe?
Exact-match anchor text is not automatically bad. If I link the words anchor text to a useful page about anchor text, that can feel normal. Problem begins when links look forced only for rankings. So don’t chase some fake “perfect percentage.” Write for page meaning first. Google Search Essentials says descriptive link text can use words people search with.
How long should anchor text be?
There is no official Google word number I would follow like law. Keep it short enough to scan, but long enough to explain destination. Sometimes two words works. Sometimes six words make better sense. Google says anchor text should be reasonably concise, not “always five words.” That small difference saved me from over-editing links many times.
What is anchor text for an image?
When an image itself becomes the link, normal clickable words may not exist. Here the image alt text can work as anchor text for Google. So I don’t leave it empty without reason. I describe what action or destination the image gives. Google clearly says it uses the image alt attribute as anchor text for linked images.
Should internal links contain keywords?
They can, when keyword fits naturally. I use words that describe the target page instead of stuffing exact keyword every place. Example, linking how to start a blog to that actual guide feels useful. Google itself says use words people may search for in descriptive places such as link text. Reader usefulness still comes first.
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