Top 7 On-Page SEO Checks to Do Before You Build Backlinks
Backlinks work best when the page they point to is already optimised. Run through these 7 quick on-page SEO checks first.
Anchor Text Guide: How to Choose Keywords for Your Backlinks Without Getting Penalised
⚡ Quick answer
Anchor text is the clickable text of a link. A safe mix is roughly 40–50% branded or naked-URL anchors, 25–35% partial-match, 5–15% exact-match and 5–10% generic anchors. Varying anchors and pointing links to the most relevant inner page avoids over-optimisation penalties.
Anchor text is the clickable text of a link. Search engines use it to understand what the linked page is about. Pick the right anchors and your backlinks push you up for the keywords you care about. Over-optimise and you risk a penalty.
The main types of anchor text
- Exact match – the exact keyword, e.g. guest posting services.
- Partial match – the keyword plus other words, e.g. affordable guest posting services in India.
- Branded – your brand name, e.g. SEO Outreach Agency.
- Naked URL – the address itself, e.g. yoursite.com.
- Generic – click here, read more, this guide.
A safe anchor text mix
There is no official ratio, but a natural profile usually looks roughly like this:
| Anchor type | Approximate share |
|---|---|
| Branded & naked URL | 40–50% |
| Partial match | 25–35% |
| Exact match | 5–15% |
| Generic | 5–10% |
How to choose keywords for your anchors
- Start with your money pages. List the pages that make you money (product, service, category pages).
- Find one main keyword per page using Google Search Console, Ubersuggest or Ahrefs.
- Write 3–5 variations of each keyword so you are not repeating the same words.
- Prefer long-tail keywords early on – they are easier to rank for and convert better.
Common mistakes
- Using the same exact-match anchor in every guest post.
- Pointing every link to the homepage instead of the most relevant inner page.
- Choosing anchors that don't fit the sentence – the link should read naturally.
When you order a guest post from us, just share your keywords and target URLs. Our writers place them naturally and vary the anchors for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is exact match anchor text?
An anchor that is exactly your target keyword, e.g. "guest posting services". Use it sparingly.
Can too much exact match anchor text hurt rankings?
Yes. An unnatural share of exact-match anchors can trigger Google's spam systems.
Which page should my backlinks point to?
The page that best answers the keyword – usually a service, product or category page, not always the homepage.
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