The link text, also known as anchor text, is the visible, clickable text component of a hyperlink on a website. Website. It acts as a guide for the user and provides Search engines important contextual references to the content of the target page. Typically, the link text stands out in color from the rest of the text and is often underlined to indicate its function as a reference.
In the HTML code, a hyperlink is created using the anchor tag <a> created. The link text is the part between the opening <a> and the closing </a> tag. An example looks like this: <a href="https://www.ihreagentur.de/link-text-glossar">Definition link text</a>. Here, „Definition link text“ is the anchor text that leads the user to the specified URL.
Importance of the link text for search engine optimization (SEO)
The choice of link text is a significant factor for search engine optimization, as it helps both the user navigation and the search engine to understand the relevance and context of the linked page. Search engines like Google use anchor texts to analyze and classify the content of source and target pages. A well-chosen link text can increase the visibility of a Website in the Search results improve.
- Relevance and contextA meaningful link text precisely describes the content of the target page. This enables users and search engines to understand what to expect on the linked page before clicking.
- Ranking factorLinks are still an essential ranking factor for search engines. The links used in the link text Keywords signal to the search engines which topics the target page is relevant to.
- Internal and external linkingLink texts are important for both internal links (within the same domain) and external links (to other domains). While internal links strengthen the structure and thematic depth of a website, external links, in particular Backlinks of authoritarian sides, increase the credibility and authority of their own side.
Best practices for the design of link texts
In order to make the most of the positive effects of link texts, certain guidelines should be observed that are based on the user experience and the requirements of modern search engine algorithms.
- Descriptiveness and relevanceUse link texts that describe the content of the target page precisely and relevantly. Avoid generic phrases such as „click here“, „find out more“ or „read more“, as these offer little context and are less valuable for search engines and users.
- Keyword optimization: Integrate relevant Keywords in the link text, provided this is done naturally and in a reader-friendly way. Excessive use of the same keyword („keyword stuffing“) can be viewed negatively by search engines. It is crucial to find a natural balance between generic, brand and keyword-rich anchor texts.
- Variance and naturalnessVary the link texts for links to the same target page to create a natural link profile and avoid over-optimization. A mix of different anchor text types (exact match, phrase match, brand, generic, naked URL) is advantageous.
- Positioning in the ContentPlace links strategically in the body text where they make sense and offer the reader real added value. The link text should fit seamlessly into the surrounding sentence.
- AccessibilityA descriptive link text also improves accessibility, as screen readers read this text aloud and convey the content of the target page to users with visual impairments.
