Anchor Text - Anchor text is the text of a link that is visible to the visitor or user,
also called "hyperlink text." It is important in determining the search engine of the linked page for a given
keyword. If at word or phrase is used often in the links, then the page or site will get a higher position for it in
search engine results. For example, in the following, "SEO" is the anchor text or hypertext: SEO.
Frequently, it is not possible to put the entire relevant keyword or phrase in the anchor text itself, either because
it is too long (for example, to fit in a menu) or because the link text must show a firm name. In those cases the
keywords or phrase may be put in the title tag, to signal to the search spider that the page is relevant to a particular
topic, and to provide "tool text" visible to the visitor when the cursor is over the link, that tells what it is about.
For example, in a Web site about widgets, there might a page about "History of Widgets," but the menu allows room for
only a single word. You could write:
<a title = "history of widgets" href="http://widgets.com/history.htm">History</a>. Only the word "History" would be
visible to visitors, unless they placed the cursor over the link.
It seems quite certain that anchor text can have a decisive effect on positioning of a Web page in search engine
results. For a very unpopular keyword, I found it was easy to get a page to the top of the Google SERP for that keyword,
just by linking to that page from a great many other pages at other Web sites, using the keyword in the anchor text.
See also: Claim:
Irrelevant link anchor text hurts page positioning
Note - Definitions of Search Engine
Optimization terms are based on inferences from common usage and definitions given by other sources. Conclusions about
search engine behavior are based on understanding of the behavior of the most popular search engines. Both are subject
to error or may change. Search engine company management may define or use a term or set or change any policy in any way
they see fit, and may make these definitions and specifications public or not. These decisions and definitions are
beyond our control. Notice: Copyright
All materials are copyright 2008 by Ami Isseroff. All rights reserved. These pages may not be reproduced in any
form in electronic or printed media without express written permission from the author.
SEO Glossary
