Anchor text refers to the clickable words or phrases on a webpage that contain hyperlinks, directing users to other pages or websites. These links are typically embedded within the most relevant and descriptive phrases on a page, providing context about the destination content. Proper use of anchor text is crucial for both user experience and search engine optimization (SEO).

Anchor text can link to pages within the same website (internal links) or to external websites (external links). Internal linking helps guide users through your website, improves navigation, and distributes page authority across key pages. External links, on the other hand, can build credibility by connecting your content to authoritative sources, signaling trustworthiness to both users and search engines.

The placement and wording of anchor text significantly impact SEO performance. Descriptive, relevant anchor text allows search engines to better understand the linked page’s content, potentially boosting its ranking for related keywords. Conversely, generic or excessive anchor text can reduce SEO effectiveness and even trigger search engine penalties.

In summary, anchor text is a powerful tool for enhancing website navigation, improving user experience, and strengthening search engine visibility. Thoughtful selection and strategic placement of anchor text ensure that links are both useful to users and valuable for SEO.