SEO Anchor Text Diversity – The (1/3)rd Rule
If your an SEO expert of knowledgeable with SEO than you definitely have some initial insight into anchor text and what it is. I could do an entire blog post series on anchor text, what it is and so forth.
For the sake of this conversation, I’ll keep this a bit more on topic to anchor text diversity.
Ever since Google’s guidelines got more strict on link building there was no question that Anchor Text needed to get better (cleaner). Back around 2012 / 2013 I started to instate the 1/3’rd rule for myself as well as anyone who I discussed anchor text diversity to. It basically looks like this and is sometimes referred to as the “Anchor Text Diversity Wheel”
A simple explanation is that anchor text diversity is extremely important to Google and more so, should reflect a natural link portfolio. Long gone are the days where your anchor text for all 10 of your inbound links is “handcrafted pearl necklaces”, because that’s the exact keyword your trying to rank for.
So, back to the chart! I instated this rule for myself mostly because it provides more diverse anchor text. Here is how this could look played out. Let’s say my target search is Charlotte Landscaping Company and my company name is StreetScapes, LLC.
33% brand
* StreetScapes, LLC
* Street Scapes, LLC
* streetscapes.com
* http://www.streetscapes.com
33% Random Variation
* Learn more about our landscaping
* visit today
* get ready to go
* website
33% Keyword Variation
* StreetScapes Landscaping Company
* StreetScapes of Charlotte
* Charlotte Landscaping Company
* Charlotte Landscapers
Note that the concept here is to increase anchor text diversity. The percentages can easily be adjusted based on your specific needs and objectives. Sometimes you may run with an almost exclusive brand focus. This is a good starting point for someone wanting to understand how to incorporate anchor text diversity into an effort.
