Non-Descriptive Anchor Text In Internal Outlinks

Description

Pages that have internal outlinks with anchor text that is not descriptive. Our exhaustive list contains 12 words that are not descriptive. The words are 'click here', 'click this', 'find out more', 'go', 'here', 'learn more', 'more', 'over here', 'read here', 'read more', 'right here', 'start this'. Anchor text is the visible text and words used in hyperlinks that provide users and search engines context about the content of the target page

How to Fix

Review the pages with internal outlinks with non-descriptive anchor text and add descriptive anchor text to them.

Detailed Analysis

1. What Causes This Issue

Non-descriptive anchor text in internal outlinks typically occurs when links are created using generic phrases that do not provide meaningful information about the linked content. This often happens due to:

• Lack of awareness: Content creators may not understand the importance of descriptive anchors in SEO.
• Convenience or habit: Using phrases like "click here" might be an easy and habitual choice when crafting links.
• Design constraints: Sometimes, web design or content layout encourages minimal text, leading to non-descriptive links.
• Copy-pasting: Repeated use of template content can lead to the proliferation of generic anchor text.

2. Why It's Important

• Search Engine Context: Search engines use anchor text as a significant ranking signal to understand the context and relevance of the linked content. Non-descriptive anchors fail to convey this context, potentially leading to lower rankings.
• User Experience: Descriptive links improve usability by allowing users to anticipate the content they will see after clicking a link, enhancing navigation and engagement.
• Accessibility: Screen readers, used by visually impaired users, rely on anchor text to provide context about links. Non-descriptive links can lead to confusion and a poor user experience.
• Link Value: Non-descriptive text may dilute the perceived value of the linked content, affecting the internal linking strategy's effectiveness in spreading page authority.

3. Best Practices to Prevent It

• Use Descriptive Text: Always use anchor text that accurately describes the content of the target page. This helps both search engines and users understand the link's purpose.
• Be Specific and Relevant: Ensure the anchor text is specific to the content it links to and relevant to the context in which it appears.
• Avoid Over-Optimization: While being descriptive, avoid keyword stuffing or overly optimized anchor text that can appear unnatural.
• Consistency: Maintain a consistent approach to using descriptive anchor text throughout your site.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular SEO audits to identify and correct non-descriptive anchor text.

4. Examples of Good and Bad Cases

Bad Examples:

• "Click here" to view our product catalog.
• "Read more" about our services.
• "Learn more" about our company history.

Good Examples:

• Explore our product catalog for the latest offerings.
• Discover more about our comprehensive services.
• Learn about our company history and milestones.

By using these best practices and understanding the importance of descriptive anchor text, you can significantly enhance your site's SEO performance and user experience.