Anchor Text Question

should use ONLY the keyword(s) you are trying to promote?

[JenniferL]

So I've been spending months on link development being very careful on what anchor text I use. What I always do however is use a descriptive term in the text like "fabulous widgets", instead of just "widgets". It hit me like a ton of bricks today that maybe I shouldn't be doing that, I should just have the keyword I'm trying to promote. I checked my SE placement today, and sure enough I am #1 in both Y and G for "fabulous widgets". Problem is, the descriptive term I use is hardly something people search on with my keyword. Any opinions on whether or not I should just stick to keywords only, or if a non-keyword is ok in the anchor text?

[martinibuster]

Hmm. Really sorry to hear of your mistake. Bummer. :(

My personal preference is sticking to my two most fabulous keywords.

[chrisnrae]

2-3 words for search phrases actually used. IME.

[larryhatch]

Think of the persons most likely to buy or read, if only they could find your site.
Try to put yourself in their shoes.
What word(s) are they most likely to use to Google up the product or service? - Larry

[buckworks]

All is not lost. Change whatever links are under your control to focus on more advantageous anchor text, then cultivate some new links with anchor text that emphasizes widgets and only widgets. The "widgetness" of existing links will be recognized if you get enough other links that the widget theme is clear.

[nuevojefe]

buckworks is spot on.

Also, try to use descriptive words that also receive high frequency of queries.

I usually use the #2 and #3 versions of a search term commonly as anchor text when going for the #1.
EG:
widgets
discount widgets
cheap widgets

This can help also down the line if you build pages specifically on discount widgets and cheap widgets because you may just get an indented (2) listing also.

[JenniferL]

Thanks for all the advice! I just can't believe I didn't think of this sooner:). Back to the drawing board for me...

[pmkpmk]

A question comes to mind: how do I convince a potential link partner to not link like this:

See the widgets-keyword from <a href="www.company.com">www.company.com</a>

but instead to write:

See the <a href="www.company.com">widgets-keyword</a> from Company Name

I never got around that one, because people almost ALWAYS link in the first way.

[JenniferL]

I wanted to mention that the main reasons I had used a descriptive term were:

1.)I always used a descriptive term that started with A,B,C, or D for those websites that list their links in alphabetical order. Using A B C or D helped ensure that my link would not get buried at the bottom of the page.
2.)I wanted it to be a catchy title so visitors would click on my link.

[edited by: JenniferL at 2:44 pm (utc) on Jan. 26, 2005]

[Philosopher]

I always used a desriptive term that started with A,B,C, or D for those websites that list their links in alphabetical order.

This is where you have to decide what is more important, where the link is found on the page, or your SE placement.

I would generally vote for SE placement.

In answer to your initial question, I generally try to get my main two keyword phrase in about 80-85% of my links and then vary up the last 15-20% with the top 2-3 three keyword phrases. This way I'm primarily focused on the big term but I also hit some of the smaller money terms and it looks natural.

[defanjos]

A question comes to mind: how do I convince a potential link partner to not link like this:

See the widgets-keyword from <a href="www.company.com">www.company.com</a>

I would have a few links in that format. It looks natural.

[chrisgarrett]

How can you tell (easily) what anchor text people are using to link to you? I have a suspicion 90% of people are linking using url. Is there a search you can put into google or something or is it a case of visiting every site that links to you (or screenscraping every site that appears in link: search!)

[Philosopher]

the only way is to visit each site and check the link text or use a program to automate it such as optilink or seo elite.