Anchor Text Analyzer
Paste a backlink or internal-link anchor list and see the full distribution — exact match, partial, branded, generic, naked URL. Instantly flag over-optimisation before Google does.
Anchor list & targets
Set target keyword & brand terms
Used to classify each anchor. Separate multiple brand terms with commas.
Paste anchor list
One anchor per line. Optionally add the target URL after a tab or comma — paste directly from Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, GSC, or a spreadsheet.
Anchor profile
Distribution
Per-anchor classification
- warningOnly 14.3% branded anchors. Natural backlink profiles usually have 30–60% branded.
- warning1 empty or image-only anchor. Ensure images have descriptive alt text.
How to Read an Anchor Profile
The four rules of thumb that separate a natural profile from a spammy one.
Branded anchors dominate natural profiles
30–60% branded is typical for sites that earn links organically. Fewer than 20% and a profile looks engineered — especially in the finance, SaaS, and affiliate verticals Google watches closely.
Exact match over 15% is a red flag
Google's Penguin algorithm downgrades domains with exact-match heavy profiles. Under 15% is comfortable; 25%+ is danger territory.
Diversity matters as much as mix
A profile with 200 backlinks all using 3 different anchor phrases looks unnatural. Aim for a diversity score above 40% — most unique anchors relative to total links.
Generic anchors are waste, not danger
"Click here" links don't hurt SEO, but they waste the anchor signal entirely. If you're pitching guest posts, insist on descriptive anchor text.
Anchor Text Category Reference
How each category is defined and what ratio to aim for.
Exact match
Anchor exactly equals your target keyword. Most powerful signal — and the most likely to trigger spam filters if overused.
Partial match
Anchor contains keyword as part of a longer phrase. "Best SEO services Australia agency" contains "SEO services Australia". Safer than exact match.
Branded
Contains your brand name. "Workspacein", "Workspacein team", "visit workspacein.com". Natural profiles skew heavily branded.
Generic
"Click here", "read more", "learn more", "this page". Safe but low-value — wastes the anchor signal entirely.
Naked URL
The URL itself as anchor. "https://workspacein.com". Common in forums and citation-style references.
Empty / image
No anchor text at all, or image-only link. Passes authority but contributes no text signal. Ensure image alt text is descriptive.
Other / contextual
Long-tail natural-language anchors. "The complete SEO guide for Aussie businesses". Healthy profiles have many of these.
Ideal mix (natural)
~40% branded, ~20% contextual/other, ~15% partial, ~10% exact, ~8% naked URL, ~5% generic, ~2% empty. Adjust per vertical.
Anchor Text Profile Red Flags
Patterns we find in every over-optimisation audit — and the fix.
Over-optimisation signals
Paid link fingerprints
Wasted signal
Disavow candidates
Anchor Text FAQ
Is there a "safe" exact-match percentage?
No universal rule, but most audits use 10–15% as a soft ceiling. Over 20%, a closer look is warranted. Over 25%, you're in Penguin territory.
Does internal anchor text work the same way?
Internal links follow similar principles but you have more control. Aim for descriptive, diverse anchors. No exact-match penalty — but over-optimisation still dilutes clarity.
What about nofollow link anchors?
They count toward the anchor profile visible to tools like Ahrefs. Google largely ignores nofollow anchors for ranking, but still uses them as hints.
How often should I audit?
Quarterly for active link-building. After any major link acquisition push. Also check when rankings suddenly drop — anchor over-optimisation is a common Penguin trigger.
Worried About Your Backlink Profile?
Our Australian SEO team audits your full anchor profile, identifies disavow candidates, and builds a natural-looking link strategy for your target keywords.
- Full anchor profile scan
- Disavow recommendation
- No lock-in commitment
No long-term commitment. Cancel anytime. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.