Nov 8, 2007
I think most SEOs would agree that targeted anchor text is one of the most important elements of SEO. Anchor text being the words used inside a link that points to your website. Personally, I have seen great results from using rich anchor text wherever possible on links I build.If you offered to link to me with the text "Harvey Kane's website" or the text "Harvey's SEO blog" I'd go for the second option every time. But not without a little bit of negotiation first to make it "SEO Blog" or "SEO".
I wonder, why don't more people take the opportunity to target their anchor text when the opportunity arises?
A few months ago, I added the facility to the blog whereby you could choose your own anchor text on comments that are posted here. The logic being that if I'm going to give you a followed link, it doesn't cost me any more to give a link with proper rich anchor text.
Dofollow
Word gets around that this site will follow links, so I now get plenty of comments from SEOs looking to build links - which is the whole point, the site needed the comments. However, I'm a bit alarmed at the number of SEOs who don't grab the opportunity to choose their own anchor text for the link and end up using their own company name for the anchor text. Most companies already rank for their own name so why would you build more links with that anchor text?I guess this post is just a friendly reminder to keep your eyes open when building links, and go for any opportunity to build links with rich anchor text instead of regular anchor text. Same goes for subpage links - if you get the opportunity to link to one of your subpages instead of simply the homepage - take it.
12 Comments
I totally agree with all that. There are lots of reasons why you would use "poor" anchor text as part of a well-reasoned SEO strategy, you mentioned some of the main ones.
However, I think a lot of poor anchor text is being used around the place due to simply not knowing about anchor text or how important it is.
It's also likely that my anchor text plugin is a new concept to most people, so they weren't expecting to have to think about it. But people visiting blogs on dofollow lists should really know what this option means without too much explanation. If you are going to the trouble of manually building links, you do need an anchor text strategy.
Thanks for the lengthy comment, adds some good points to the discussion.
Well, I'd certainly utilize the anchor text if I actually had a website worth plugging at the moment, but really I've just been making comments for the sake of making comments or asking questions.
Some people read blogs because they like reading blogs. Others read blogs because they know they can score some good links out of it.
I do both.
Yeah, one of the first things I tell a new client is don't use your company name as the linking text, leave that for where you don't have a choice.
I usally say, if people knew the name of your website which is usually a company name, then they wouldn't be using a search engine to find you, and even if they did use a search engine, you site should be up near the top of listings...unless of course they have paid big bucks to get listed in yellowpages, or ubd, but even then their site should show up well if seo has been done.
But most clients don't listen though, they read one thing about SEO and suddenly they are an expert on the subject.... just like the ones that thing an fck editor makes then a webdesigner LOL
I must have a look and see if you have written about clients that hire you to design their sites, then don't take your suggestions....if you didn't write it, I will lol....
Lynny
Lynny
I'm not fairly certian that Direct links actually makes your website more search engine friendly. If anything, I know that it makes your website more Spammy.
I think link building is great for new, unindexed websites because the search engines will follow the links and get to your site, but once your site has plenty of Ranked Pages, those links are pointless unless they are driving you in TRAFFIC.
If you have too many links, or if you link too fast, like when using Link-Vault then you may get Red Flagged for being Spam Like.
Quality links are what we are talking about here. Every business has their own niche, find out where your potential customers normally will visit and shortlist those websites into those that is more related to yours. This way i believed is one that not only generate traffic, it will also build some trust between the search engines and your website.
Agree?
Our Development department has chosen not to include keywords in the Anchor text and rather chosen to have a title for that particular link.
What are your thoughts.
Wishing you an exSEOllent 2008
Jimmy Janglea - Concert Set List - Aug 22, 2008
Hi Harvey - I'm game - I've been following your site for a few months and applying your tips to my site, The Spaghetti Incident? - I only do the simple stuff like bolding headings, apt page inter linking, alt tags etc but it really works.
I like your site as even though you are selling your self (aren't we all), you are not actually selling anything ! Cheers!
Great Site Harvey.
Many Thanks for your top class info and tips :)
Will be adding you to my Bookmarks ASAP!
Very interesting post, some thoughtful ideas there.
This is a newely discovered site for me, but I think I shall continue to return :)
Keep up the good work!
Ive found this blog randomly while searching for information omn redirecting index.htm to /
Thanks or all the info, ive wasted a morning reading all your archive!
Aidan Rogers - InKode - Nov 9, 2007
Watch out Harvey that you don't end up on some spammers do follow list ;)
Every seo will agree:
Focused anchor text is vital for ranking for a targeted phrase.
But are there times it may be good idea to use your company name?
I have been using my company name on frequently for anchor text for a few reasons:
1. Since I am competing with a company of the same name whose domain was resisted in 1996, its going to take a lot more work for me to rank for INKODE. Using just "inkode" as opposed to say maybe "inkode seo nz" puts more emphasis and weight on the single keyword. Maybe its just a pride thing for me I dunno but it really annoys me to see that company looking down at me in the serps, boasting position number 1 & 2!! If you are selling SEO services, you should at least be able to rank for your own company name!
2.Another reason one might want to use the company name maybe for brand awareness, which is another topic all together. When I think of a kiwi seo blog I think ragepank. So you must be doing something right ;) As you are trying to gain new visitors to your "seo blog" these would be the logic keywords to target. But sometimes you may just want people to remember your company name (example your mentioned in a news article)
3. Another reason you might not want to use your keywords might be for example you have been using your keywords too often in all you backlinks. This may result in your sites link profile looking blatantly unnatural, and trip a filter because your obvious attempting to manipulate search rankings. Mixing it up a bit keeps you under the radar.
Lastly past experience shows that some clients rank really well for keywords using only the company name as long as they have enough relevant content relating to their targeted keywords. Remembering that search engines possibly look at the text surrounding the link, sometimes with more powerful links you can only use your offical site name. No way would should you turn down a link just because I couldn't use my preferred anchor text. Sometimes a link is a link. If you get enough of them and you do the onpage stuff right, you can still rank well. It's just a little more challenging.
Those are just a couple of thoughts why you might want to use your company name, I'm sure others would have plenty more. But when the opportunity arises to choose your anchor text, 90% of the time you definitely want to go for anchor you want the site to rank for. Just like SEO BLOG! (bit of stuffing for ya)