Keywords in inbound linking text

Should I focus on a few phrases or many?

[mrutkowski]

What strategies do you use for the linking text of your inbound links?

1. focus on a limited number of your most highly trafficed keywords and phrases

2. focus on a limited number of the keywords and phrases that seem to be the easiest to get a high SERP result

3. Use as many keywords and phrases as you can in linking text

Also, is it better to be specific in the text, or add a few extra words to the phrase in the linking text? i.e., Widgets or Blue Widgets on sale?

Thanks for any advice! I want to study and know the most beneficial long term effects before I start a massive campaign!

Mike

[SlyGuy]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, Mike.

1. focus on a limited number of your most highly trafficed keywords and phrases

I prefer to keep linking text limited to 1 or 2 focused, popular keyword phrases. I target the phrases and keywords that are already in the title of the page they are linking to. You probably already know what search terms you are optimizing for, they are in the title of your page and throughout the body of your page. Be specific but remember to make sense.

Keep the phrases short and relevant, so that the visitor knows where they are going to end up when they click this link.

Hope this helps..

- Chad

[mrutkowski]

That does help, but it leads into one other question: how many of your pages do you specifically work to get linked to from external sites?

Since PR is page based and not site based, shouldn't I have a linking campaign devoted to several of my main pages (with different keywords and phrases), rather than just the home page? Or, is enough PR passed from your homepage to other pages that the focus should be only on the home page?

Thanks for any advise!
Mike

[buckworks]

I have found it well worthwhile to work at getting links to internal pages as well as to the home page. It gives you more chances to target key phrases in link text appropriate for that page. Also, because the topics tend to be more focused than the home page, sometimes you can get links for internal pages from sites that wouldn't be interested in linking to your home page.

PR can flow from internal pages back to your home page and elsewhere, so any link is a good link.

[pshea]

Mike: in my experience, there is no restriction on the number of phrases you should target but bear Slyguy's page design advice. The more the merrier and keep your phrases short and targeted.

[mil2k]

Widgets or Blue widgets can also depend upon your competition. Analyse their Back links and give it serious thought. If Blue widgets is searched only a little less than "Widgets" then i can think of using Blue widgets as my anchor text. It's a personal call IMHO based on your research.

Getting links to important inner pages is a good Strategy IMHO. :)