Common anchor types
- Branded: the company or product name.
- URL: the destination address itself.
- Descriptive: plain-language wording that describes the linked resource.
- Keyword-rich: wording closely aligned with a search phrase.
- Generic: phrases such as “learn more,” useful only when context is already clear.
Why over-optimization is a risk
Google's spam-policy examples specifically mention optimized anchor text in paid or distributed articles. A paid placement should not be engineered around passing ranking credit through an exact-match anchor.
Write for the sentence
Choose anchor text that reads naturally and accurately describes the destination. If the phrase looks inserted mainly to satisfy an SEO target, rewrite the sentence.
Paid placement reminder
Where a link is part of a paid placement, understand the publisher's disclosure and qualification practices. See sponsored and nofollow links.