{"id":1292,"date":"2012-07-31T06:04:26","date_gmt":"2012-07-31T13:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.salesjumpstart.net\/blog\/?p=1292"},"modified":"2012-07-31T06:04:52","modified_gmt":"2012-07-31T13:34:52","slug":"using-anchor-text-for-seo-is-stupid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salesjumpstart.net\/blog\/2012\/07\/31\/using-anchor-text-for-seo-is-stupid\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Anchor Text for SEO is Stupid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Using Anchor Text is Stupid.<\/p>\n

As a Denver based Search Engine Optimization Company we can clearly say that using unnatural Anchor Text to help your sites ranking is stupid, and always has been. SEO\u2019s have been using it as a measurement and tool since the beginning of time and with the recent changes at Google many are suffering the consequences, and more accurately their former or current clients are suffering the rankings drop.<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/a>
Google Chrome (Photo credit: thms.nl)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the principles Google speaks to in SEO is taking actions as if Google didn\u2019t exist. Great SEO starts with that premise. So unnatural Anchor Text is a CLEAR violation of that principle, and can be easily identified by a search engine.<\/p>\n

I do not think that on Site basics apply to this principle. \u00a0Your site must be as clear and specific as possible about its content. That\u2019s not gaming the system, it\u2019s just common sense. Most of the tactics Google seems to hate are off site and in your sites link profile.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go to the basics. In order of importance for making sure Google and other search engines can index and understand what your site is about (or your sites pages).<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Your URL.\u00a0 This seems simple. \u00a0If your site URL or page URL says Dentist, well, Google will have a strong clue that you\u2019re a Dentist.\u00a0 I know about the Google patent on exact match domains, but as of now we haven\u2019t seen much evidence that there have been any changes in actual rankings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Here is the logic:\u00a0 If Google didn\u2019t exist, I would want a domain that clearly defines what I am. So yes, I would use a domain like Dentist.com\u00a0 or Dentist in Detroit , or Pretty smile dentist\u2026. \u00a0\u00a0To me that stands\u2019 up to the principle that great web visibility starts with acting like Google doesn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n

    2.)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your Meta Title:\u00a0 Next to the domain name, this is how any search engine figures out what your site is about. Remember, these are robots, not English majors reading the Title of a page. \u00a0So if you are a Dentist in Chicago, I would use Dentist in Chicago in the first few words.<\/p>\n

    3.)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Content:\u00a0 I don\u2019t really give a hoot about percentage of keywords in your copy, or even your H1, H2 tags\u2026what we should care about is that when someone reads the page, that it is very clear what the page is about. \u00a0If that leads to a natural paragraph heading that includes the words in your title tag, so be it. If it doesn\u2019t, that\u2019s fine to.<\/p>\n

    4.)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And\u2026 remember\u2026 content and rankings are by page not site. It would be very confusing if Meta tags were the only information a person looking for your site could see, and every page on your site had the same Meta title. \u00a080 pages of Dentist in Chicago. Looks sloppy. And then which page would they click on? \u00a0Confusing.<\/p>\n

    And then to the off site:<\/p>\n

    \"English:<\/a>
    English: The three biggest web search engines (Photo credit: Wikipedia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    There are times when you can use Anchor Text to point to your site. But the reality is not many. And if you are lucky enough to get a link on a good quality site, Google will already know what the page is about that the link is pointing to because it\u2019s clear in the Meta title and copy on the page. Why add Anchor text? Really?\u00a0 You don\u2019t think Google or others have the page Indexed? \u00a0Then that\u2019s another issue. \u00a0And then if you use the same Anchor Text to different pages on your site that have different subjects, will, you get the picture.<\/p>\n

    Using Anchor Text always has been stupid (in most cases).<\/p>\n

    I know that the vast majority of SEO tips and principles are really just opinions, so if you disagree I completely understand and respect that. SEO or web visibility is a complex field, and you always have to look at correlation versus causation and do a bunch of research and study to really feel confident. \u00a0Or, you can produce really stellar content and give clear and precise information on your site and pages, and then actively become part of the Internet communities to promote your business. \u00a0In the now and the future we feel (even in its simplified summary) that the later will win the day.<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t hesitate to call us if we can help you. 303 500 3053 ext 1. \u00a0(Mike)<\/p>\n

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