Anchor text plays a critical role in the effectiveness of your backlink strategy, especially when it comes to improving your technical SEO. When implemented strategically, it helps search engines understand context, boosts topical authority, and enhances link equity. But getting it wrong—over-optimizing or misusing anchor text—can lead to penalties, reduced visibility, and missed ranking opportunities. This guide breaks down exactly how to create an anchor text strategy that supports your technical SEO goals while staying natural and Google-compliant.
A well-structured internal linking framework can further support technical improvements. If you’re refining your on-site performance, consider how anchor text connects with broader technical SEO strategies such as crawl budget optimization or canonical tags.
Why Anchor Text Matters in Technical SEO
Anchor text is the clickable part of a hyperlink, and it sends strong signals to both users and search engines. When a high-authority site links to your content using descriptive anchor text, Google interprets that as a vote of confidence for that keyword phrase or topic.
From a technical SEO standpoint, anchor text:
- Aids in content discoverability by crawlers
- Enhances internal link structure for better flow
- Contributes to semantic relevance across topics
Search engines use anchor text in part to determine the subject of a linked page. That’s why vague text like “click here” or overstuffed keywords are both problematic—one gives too little information, the other too much.
Types of Anchor Text You Should Know
Understanding anchor text variations is crucial for a balanced and compliant linking profile.
Exact Match
Uses the exact keyword you want to rank for (e.g., technical SEO). Effective in moderation, but overuse can trigger spam filters.
Partial Match
Includes your keyword with other words (e.g., guide to technical SEO audit). Offers a natural feel while retaining relevance.
Branded
Links that use your brand name (e.g., LSA SEO Agency). These help build authority without appearing manipulative.
Naked URLs
Links that display the full URL (e.g., https://localseoagency.co.za/technical-seo/). Good for citations but offer no context.
Generic
Uses neutral phrases like this website or here. Safe to use, but limited SEO value.
Image Alt Text
Search engines treat alt text as anchor text when the image is linked. Optimizing these is part of a complete SEO strategy.
How to Build an Anchor Text Strategy for Technical SEO
Audit Your Existing Links
Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console to see how anchor text is currently distributed across your backlink profile. Look for overused exact-match anchors or links from irrelevant domains.
Map Keywords to Pages
Establish which keywords align with which landing pages. Your technical SEO service page, for example, might focus on terms like crawl budget optimization, structured data markup, or 404 error fixes.
If you’re covering multiple services, you can also connect anchor text naturally to topics like SEO content or building backlinks, depending on the focus of your article.
Distribute Anchor Types
Aim for a healthy mix:
- 30–40% branded or naked URLs
- 30% partial match
- 10–20% exact match
- 10% generic or image-based
This keeps your backlink profile looking natural while reinforcing relevance.
Internal Linking and Anchor Text Strategy
Anchor text isn’t just for backlinks—it’s crucial for internal linking too. Connecting high-priority pages on your website using varied anchor text can:
- Improve crawlability
- Spread link equity
- Reduce orphan pages
- Help establish topical clusters
For example, linking from a blog post on “how structured data boosts site architecture” to your technical SEO audit service page using a phrase like site audit for indexing issues adds context and SEO value.
You could also point to your Google Marketing Agency page when discussing the benefits of coordinated digital strategies.
Anchor Text Pitfalls to Avoid
- Over-Optimization: Repeating the same anchor phrase too many times can signal manipulation.
- Irrelevant Linking: Anchor text should match the content it links to, both thematically and contextually.
- Ignoring Mobile & Accessibility: Ensure anchors are easy to click on all devices, and descriptive enough for screen readers.
- Forgetting About Link Placement: Links buried at the bottom of long posts or stuffed into footers carry less weight.
When to Use Anchor Text for Co-Citations
Co-citations refer to the concept of your brand or content being mentioned near related topics or keywords—even when not directly linked. Strategically linking to well-known sources enhances trust signals for both users and search engines.
You might mention industry authorities like Moz, Search Engine Journal, or Google’s Search Central Blog to validate claims or back up strategy recommendations—without overdoing it.
Scaling Anchor Text Across a Link-Building Campaign
If you’re managing multiple campaigns or collaborating with a backlink building agency, anchor text strategy becomes even more important. Provide content creators with a flexible matrix of:
- Approved anchor variations
- Landing page targets
- Branded and partial match anchors
Be cautious of any vendor promising to “buy backlinks” with only exact match anchors—it’s a red flag in today’s SEO climate.
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Monitoring and Adjusting Your Anchor Text Over Time
The ideal anchor strategy isn’t static—it evolves. Regularly revisit your data to ensure anchor diversity remains balanced as you grow your domain’s authority.
Update or disavow harmful links, adapt to algorithm changes, and refine how internal anchor links support both SEO goals and the user journey.
If you’re unsure where to begin, consult a team that understands both strategy and execution. Search engine optimization is most effective when every part of the puzzle—technical foundation, content, and links—works together.
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