Anchor Test

[Buzliteyear]

Okay, say I have a site with 500 inbound links and all have USA Widgets as the anchor text.

Then, I find a different, better keyword that I would like to use, American Widgets.

I re-tool my linking campain so all new inbound links are American Widgets.

Will the new, changed links affect the success I had using USA Widgets? I mean, will it dilute the first one or cause it to show up lower in search engine results?

Thanks.

[Dav58]

Good question. IMHO it is good to mix up your anchor text a little and the links will make you relevant for both terms.

[neuron]

Will the new, changed links affect the success I had using USA Widgets? I mean, will it dilute the first one or cause it to show up lower in search engine results?

No, it shouldn't. In fact, it should have the opposite effect. Since "american" is a synonym for "usa", this should broaden your topological footprint, giving greater merit to the original links.

[florinus]

Good question. IMHO it is good to mix up your anchor text a little and the links will make you relevant for both terms.

I think mixing up anchor text a little will also bring another benefit: the SE will think your incoming links are more "natural" and maybe you'll gain some extra PR.