Exact match anchor text uses the exact keyword or phrase you want the linked page to rank for search engines.
What Is an Exact Match Anchor?
An exact match anchor is a hyperlink where the anchor text (clickable text) exactly matches the primary keyword of the destination page. For example, linking the text “link building services” to a page about link building services.
Why It Matters in SEO
When used naturally, exact match anchors help search engines understand what the linked page is about, reinforcing topical relevance. However, overusing exact match anchors—especially in low-quality backlinks—can trigger Google’s spam filters or penalties under Penguin updates.
Example:
In the sentence:
“Check out our professional SEO audit services to grow your traffic,”
If the anchor text is “SEO audit services”, and it links to a page targeting that exact phrase, it’s an exact match.
Best Practices:
- Use sparingly to avoid appearing manipulative.
- Mix with partial, branded, and generic anchors for diversity.
- Always link to high-quality, relevant content.
- Make sure the anchor text fits naturally within the sentence.
