Issue: Links with no anchor text, raw URLs, or symbols provide no context about the target page. This affects user experience and search engine indexing, missing an opportunity to optimize the linked page’s performance in search results.
Fix: Add clear, descriptive anchor text that explains what the linked page is about.
How to Fix for Beginners
- Identify Links with No Anchor Text: Look for links on your site that display as raw URLs or use only symbols.
- Example:
<a href="https://example.com"></a>
or<a href="https://example.com">!!</a>
.
- Example:
- Write Descriptive Anchor Text: Replace empty or raw anchors with meaningful text that describes the target page.
- Example: Change
https://example.com
to<a href="https://example.com">Learn More About SEO Basics</a>
.
- Example: Change
- Use Relevant Keywords: Include keywords that describe the content of the linked page, but keep it natural and concise.
- Example: Use “SEO Starter Guide” instead of “Click here.”
- Avoid Overly Generic Text: Avoid anchors like “here” or “this page” and aim for specificity.
- Example: Replace “Click here” with “Explore our SEO tools.”
- Audit Links Regularly: Use SEO tools to scan your site for links with missing or unhelpful anchor text and update them.
Tip: Descriptive anchor text helps search engines and users understand the linked content, improving usability and SEO.