Term · Search & content
Anchor text
Anchor text is the visible, clickable text of a hyperlink. In "see our guide to accepting online payments in Azerbaijan", the anchor text is "accepting online payments in Azerbaijan". It tells users what to expect when they click and gives search engines context about the linked page.
[ 01 ]
Explained
Good practice
- Descriptive: "online store development" says more than "click here" or "read more".
- Natural: fits the sentence; written for readers.
- Varied: different pages linking with slightly different wording is normal and healthy.
- Accurate: the linked page actually covers what the anchor promises.
- In the page's language: links on Azerbaijani pages use Azerbaijani anchor text.
Internal links
Anchor text in your own site's links is fully under your control. Descriptive internal links help users navigate and help search engines understand which page covers which topic. Linking from related articles to service pages with clear anchors is one of the simplest SEO improvements.
Over-optimisation
When many external links use the same exact commercial phrase — for example, "best web studio Baku" repeated across dozens of sites — it signals manipulation. Earned links naturally use varied anchors: brand names, URLs, descriptive phrases.
Accessibility
Screen reader users often navigate by links. Anchors like "here" or "more" out of context are meaningless to them; descriptive anchors help.
[ 02 ]
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should we ask for specific anchor text when getting links?
It is better to let the linking site describe you naturally. Suggesting your brand name or an accurate description is fine.
Does image link alt text count as anchor text?
For image links, the image's alt text plays a similar role. See alt text.