Really Long Anchor Text, Is this okay to do? Options

[breezy]

Is there any advantage to using concise anchor text for your internal links, as opposed to making them longer?

For example, if I had "Find out more about how financial product X can boost your earnings" as a link to page X in my site, is that better/worse/no different then if the link was just "boost your earnings".

Thanks!

[Ahmed]

Well it depends where is this link and are you trying to get SEO benefit by using longer or shorter anchor text? If one of your keywords was "boost your earnings" then it might be more beneficial using the shorter anchor text but again it depends and you have to look at usability too.

[incrediblehelp]

It is beneficial not to think about how to plan your anchor text and let it happen naturally.

[breezy]

The link is on the homepage, in the content, pointing to a page within the site.

"are you trying to get SEO benefit by using longer or shorter anchor text?" Yes, I would want SEO benefit, and I am not sure which one would provide more (or if it matters).

From a usability standapoint, I thought either works. The longer link makes it stand out more I think. How is usability effected?

[breezy]

incredible,

I am talking about site interlinking. I should have been clearer.

[incrediblehelp]

Well sort of the same idea breezy. You just want to link the way in a way that makes the most sense. If that is using 1-2 keywords to link to another page then so be it. If we are talking internal navigation, short and sweet is better. If we are linking within content then anything really goes as long as it makes sense for your readers.

This post has been edited by incrediblehelp: Dec 7 2007, 05:15 PM

[Ahmed]

I think if you look just at SEO the anchor text that includes just the keywords (shorter version) will be best but you have to think of conversions as well. Maybe test both out and see which one gets you more leads/sales. Testing is good especially when the link is your "call to action" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

For example a call to action that links to your order page using the anchor text "Yes I'd like to know how to boost my earnings!" might convert better than just the keyword "boost your earnings".

[Jill]

Using both ways in various places where they each make the most sense is your best bet.

For instance, within the actual navigation, you usually can only choose 2 words or so as any more doesn't generally fit very well with most site designs.

But within the context of the page, it might make more sense to use the longer phrase. Both are fine. Both are good.

[lbouman]

My thought is that it would be worse b/c you likely don't want to optimize your site for that entire phrase. I have found the more specific you are the better.

[webd]

Is there any advantage to using concise anchor text for your internal links, as opposed to making them longer?

For example, if I had "Find out more about how financial product X can boost your earnings" as a link to page X in my site, is that better/worse/no different then if the link was just "boost your earnings".

Anchor text tells search engines what the linked-to page is about. So you should keep it focused on keywords as much as possible, while still making it human-friendly. I think Google also looks at text surrounding the link, but it may not carry as much weight.

In the phrase, Find out more about how financial product X can boost your earnings, the words "find out more about" could probably be left out. I might even just go with the link text financial product X, depending on what keywords you are targeting.