Anchor Text Distribution

What is Anchor Text Distribution?

Anchor text distribution describes the ratio of different anchor text types in a backlink profile. A natural and balanced distribution is crucial for successful SEO and avoids Google penalties through over-optimized link profiles.

Anchor Text Type

Recommended Share

Risk Level

Use Case

Branded Anchors

40-60%

Very Low

Mainly external links

Generic Anchors

20-30%

Low

Internal and external links

Partial Match

15-25%

Medium

External links

Exact Match

5-10%

High

Use very sparingly

Why is Anchor Text Distribution Important?

1. Naturalness of Link Profile

Google recognizes unnatural anchor text distributions and can value these as spam signals. A balanced mix of different anchor text types appears authentic and organic.

2. Avoiding Over-Optimization

A too high concentration on exact-match anchor texts can lead to Google penalties. The right distribution protects against algorithmic penalties.

3. Building Trust

Diverse anchor texts signal to Google that links have developed naturally and were not manipulated.

Anchor Text Types in Detail

Exact Match Anchors

Anchor texts that exactly match the target keyword.

Examples:

"SEO Consulting" → Link to SEO consulting page
"Web Design Agency" → Link to web design page

Risks:

High over-optimization danger
Unnatural link profile
Google penalty risk

Partial Match Anchors

Anchor texts that contain the keyword in a natural context.

Examples:

"professional SEO consulting" → Link to SEO page
"modern web design agency" → Link to web design page

Advantages:

Appears more natural
Less over-optimization risk
Better user experience

Branded Anchors

Anchor texts that contain the brand name or domain.

Examples:

"SEO-Day" → Link to homepage
"www.seo-day.de" → Link to website

Advantages:

Very natural
Strengthens brand authority
Low penalty risk

Generic Anchors

General anchor texts without specific keywords.

Examples:

"click here"
"learn more"
"read more"

Usage:

For internal linking
Call-to-action links
Navigation

Optimal Anchor Text Distribution

Recommended Distribution for New Websites

Branded Anchors: 50-60%
Generic Anchors: 25-30%
Partial Match: 15-20%
Exact Match: 5-10%

Recommended Distribution for Established Websites

Branded Anchors: 40-50%
Generic Anchors: 20-25%
Partial Match: 20-25%
Exact Match: 5-15%

Tools for Anchor Text Analysis

1. Ahrefs

Comprehensive anchor text analysis
Distribution statistics
Competitor analysis

2. SEMrush

Anchor text overview
Toxicity score
Link attribute filters

3. Majestic

Trust Flow and Citation Flow
Anchor text diversity
Link context analysis

4. Google Search Console

Internal anchor text analysis
Top linking texts
Free basic analysis

Common Mistakes in Anchor Text Distribution

1. Over-Optimization

Too many exact-match anchor texts
Unnatural keyword concentration
Ignoring branded anchors

2. Under-Optimization

No strategic anchor text planning
Random anchor text selection
Neglecting important keywords

3. Lack of Diversity

Monotonous anchor text structure
Missing variation
One-sided optimization

Strategies for Natural Anchor Text Distribution

1. Content Marketing Approach

Create high-quality content that generates natural links:

Linkable Assets: Tools, studies, infographics
Original Research: Own data and insights
Comprehensive Guides: Comprehensive guides

2. Diversification of Link Sources

Editorial Links: Natural mentions
Resource Pages: Directory entries
Guest Posts: Guest articles with varying anchor texts
Digital PR: PR and media work

3. Anchor Text Variations

Develop different anchor text variants for the same keywords:

Exact Match: "SEO Consulting"
Partial Match: "professional SEO consulting"
LSI Variations: "search engine optimization consulting"
Synonyms: "online marketing consulting"

Monitoring and Adjustment

Regular Analysis

Monthly: Check anchor text distribution
Quarterly: Competitor analysis
During ranking fluctuations: Immediate review

KPIs for Anchor Text Monitoring

Distribution ratio: Shares of different anchor text types
Diversity score: Number of different anchor text variants
Toxicity score: Assessment of link quality
Ranking development: Impact on keyword positions