Anchor Text Distribution
01 Definition
Anchor Text Distribution meaning: The mix of wording used in the clickable text of links pointing to a page.
Anchor text distribution is the overall mix of clickable link text pointing to a page or site, such as branded, exact match, or generic phrases. A natural, varied mix is generally seen as healthy, while too many exact match keyword anchors can look manipulative and risk penalties.
Also called
Why it matters
How Anchor Text Distribution fits the work
The pattern of anchor text signals to search engines how links describe your page, and a natural spread helps avoid the appearance of link manipulation.
In context
An audit showed 70 percent branded anchors, 20 percent naked URLs, and only 10 percent exact match, which looked like a natural distribution.
Practical note
Aim for a natural balance weighted toward branded and URL anchors. A sudden spike in keyword-rich exact match anchors can look artificial and draw scrutiny.