How to Plan Your Internal Link Anchor Text

It’s important not to dive into internal linking without a clear plan.

As internal linking is so important for SEO, having a plan for implementing it on your site is always the best place to start.

In this guide, we look at how you can effectively plan internal linking to get the most benefits for your site.

Introduction

Planning your internal link strategy is paramount for the online visibility and success of your website.

A critical component of this strategy is crafting the perfect internal link anchor text.

Internal link anchor text guides users around your site and sends signals to search engines about the content’s relevance and value.

Understanding Anchor Text

Before diving deep into planning, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what anchor text is.

In essence, anchor text refers to the clickable words used in a hyperlink.

For example, if you link to a page about “British tea”, the words “British tea” are the anchor text.

Anchor text helps convey the linked page’s content or intent to both users and search engines.

Why Internal Link Anchor Text Matters

• Navigational Aid: Anchor text gives users a clear idea of what to expect when they click on a link, ensuring smoother navigation through the site.
• SEO Value: Search engines use internal anchor texts to understand the linked page’s content. Using relevant anchor texts can boost the search engine ranking of the linked page.
• Distributing Page Authority: Every web page accumulates authority, usually from backlinks. Internal linking helps distribute this authority across your site, strengthening weaker pages.

Best Practices for Crafting Anchor Text

• Stay Relevant: Ensure that your anchor text is relevant to the linked page’s content. If you’re linking to a page about “British tea”, use anchor texts like “history of British tea” or “popular British tea brands”, rather than unrelated terms.
• Keep it Natural: Use natural language that seamlessly fits into the content. Forced or out-of-context anchor text can alienate users and raise red flags for search engines.
• Use Descriptive Keywords: While you shouldn’t overstuff your anchor text with keywords, using them descriptively can provide context and enhance SEO value.
• Vary Your Anchor Text: Repetition can appear manipulative. Use different but relevant anchor texts if you’re linking to the same page from various places.
• Keep it Concise: Long anchor texts can disrupt the reader’s flow. Aim for clarity and brevity.
• Use Deep Links: Instead of always linking to your homepage or main category pages, link to deeper pages (like blog posts or product pages) to distribute authority and provide value.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-Optimisation: Using the exact keyword phrase repetitively can appear spammy. It’s essential to find a balance.
• Irrelevant Anchor Text: Using anchor texts that don’t relate to the linked page’s content can confuse users and dilute your SEO efforts.
• Generic Texts: Avoid using generic anchor texts like “click here” or “read more” too often, as they provide little context.
• Overlinking: Too many internal links can overwhelm readers. Use them judiciously to aid navigation and provide value.

Conclusion

Internal link anchor text is a tool in your SEO toolbox that, when used correctly, can significantly improve site navigation, user experience, and search visibility.

The key is to ensure relevance, clarity, and a natural flow in your anchor texts, keeping both users and search engines in mind.

With careful planning and by adhering to best practices and choosing the best anchor links, you can craft an internal linking strategy that reaps rewards in visibility and engagement.