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Anchor text is the visible text contained within a hyperlink.

This is important, as the search engines analyse this.

For example www.marketingcompass.co.uk  …or…  The Marketing Compass impartial marketing advice

Anchor text links are usually blue in colour and may be underlined. However, website settings can be used to change link colours.

Search engines examine anchor text in order to figure out what the destination web page is about.

They are doing their best to be helpful to the searcher.

Think of it this way: Google would like to know as much as possible about the subject of the page or blog to which the link points.

Therefore, inserting keywords into anchor text helps search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo or Mojeek to do a better job.

Google has said that it reads anchor text.

Have you noticed how Wikipedia pages contain anchor text? One topic leads to another and yet another.

Wikipedia is at the top of page 1 for many search terms.

I have no doubt that its extensive use of anchor text has helped it to get there.

I have found that successful anchor text is a copywriting job. The copywriter must persuade the website visitor to click on the link.

Here is a tip: if someone wants to link to your website send them a pre-prepared hyperlink (along the lines of the one above – but with your URL / keywords within it).

Here is another tip – within your website, all of your links to other websites should open up in a new browser window.

If you have an easy-to-use CMS (Content Management System), such as WordPress, you will be able to do this without getting involved in the code (HTML).

Here is an SEO glossary of terms which includes SEO tips and advice

 

Nigel Temple

Author Nigel Temple

Nigel Temple is a marketing consultant, speaker, trainer and writer. Topics include: AI / ChatGPT, Marketing strategy, Digital marketing, SEO, Copywriting, Mailchimp. Nigel is available to hire for a consultancy meeting, training workshop, speaking event or marketing project. Email: nigel@nigeltemple.com Or call Nigel on: 01628 773128

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