What is anchor text?
SEO Definition and Examples
Anchor text is the clickable text of a hyperlink that tells Google and users what the page the link points to is about.
Full Definition: What is anchor text
Anchor text is the clickable word or phrase of a link (the underlined/colored text). Google uses it as a strong signal to understand what the destination page is about. Types: exact match ("SEO services"), partial match ("SEO optimization services"), branded ("RankRO SEO"), generic ("click here" — weak SEO), naked URL ("rank-ro.com") and image with alt text. A natural anchor text profile includes a mix of all types. A 100% exact-match profile can be penalized as manipulation.
Why Does Anchor Text Matter for SEO?
Anchor text is one of the few signals Google receives from the outside about a page's content. A link with the anchor "best dentist London" sends a strong signal to the destination page for that keyword.
Source: Moz — Anchor TextFrequently Asked Questions about Anchor Text
Related Terms
Backlink
BeginnerA backlink is a hyperlink placed on an external site that points to a page on your site, signalling authority and relevance to Google.
Link Building
IntermediateLink building is the active process of acquiring backlinks from external sites in order to increase your domain's authority and improve your Google ranking.
On-Page SEO
BeginnerOn-page SEO covers all the optimizations made directly on your site's pages — titles, headings, content, meta descriptions and URL structure.
Nofollow vs Dofollow
BeginnerDofollow (default) lets Google follow a link and pass authority, while nofollow (rel="nofollow") signals the link should not be followed and passes no PageRank.
Put Anchor Text into practice
Explore how to apply this concept to your industry and city.
