Anchor text

Anchor text is the clickable text of a hyperlink between `<a href="...">` and `</a>`. One of the key factors in conveying page meaning.

Example

<a href="https://adaptive-lab.pro/audit">SEO audit service</a>

Anchor: "SEO audit service" — Google understands the linked page is about SEO audits.

Anchor types

1. Exact match — exact keyword: "SEO audit" 2. Partial — contains keyword + other words: "free SEO audit in 1–2 days" 3. Branded — company name: "Adaptive Lab", "Adaptive Lab Studio" 4. URL — bare link: "adaptive-lab.pro" 5. Topical — related but without keyword: "our research", "audit guide" 6. Generic — "here", "this", "click here", "read more"

Safe anchor distribution

Natural profile: - 40-50% branded - 20-30% URL and generic - 15-25% partial - 5-15% topical - Less than 5% exact keywords (this is critical)

Why too many exact anchors is dangerous

Google Penguin (since 2012) detects "over-optimization" — when the link profile looks bought. Sign: more than 10-20% exact anchors with the same keyword. Penalty: demotion or filter.

Internal vs external links

• •External links (backlinks) — anchors important to diversify, don't abuse exact matches
• •Internal links — exact anchors can be used more freely, but still diversify

Where to see anchor profile

• •Ahrefs → Site Explorer → Backlink profile → Anchors
• •Semrush → Backlink Audit → Anchors
• •GSC → Links → External Links → top anchors

Top mistakes

1. Anchor spam — many identical exact anchors 2. "Here", "this" — missed opportunity to convey meaning 3. Image as link without alt — Google uses alt as anchor, without it — nothing 4. Very long anchor — over 60 chars reduces readability 5. Anchors to 404 pages — link equity wasted