There was a time when using many keyword stuffed links in any online content including a press release used to be a common SEO operation. The plan was to flash multiple keyword stuffed links in the content published offsite as in the content is posted anywhere but on the official site of the company through guest blogs or press release; the more links it contained from the third party sources, the more credible it appeared in front of everyone. But that practice changed when they opted the technique of using high-ranking keywords in third party links, the SEO strategists found an instant boost in their ranking.
The Rise of Anchor Texts:
It became so useful that the SEO companies sold “link building” packages, with website owners buying a fix number of “backlinks” each month which are known as the links from the third-party sources with a direct back access to the company’s website.
Soon the search results were piled up with overused keywords, over-linked drab content. Well it worked the clickbait for users and the websites started ranking with the number one spot with maximum views, yet the visitors were not satisfied and moved on to another site. Google analyzed the users were getting annoyed. So, in 2012, Google came up with an algorithm update called Penguin that cut the access for those mediocre content with shabby links. As a result, the content lost its visibility where people don’t even know they exist. Google has penalized sites that continued to create challenges against the new update.
Is that Mean Using Anchor Text has Started to Fade Out?
Many thought that anchor text links were dead but there was still some hope left. The best thing that occurred due this change was to see the top results in the SERPs were overflowed with informative content and the readers found the accurate answers to their inquiries. Thanks to google that now everyone first tries to make good content to provide the right information. As for dealing with anchor text, its never out of the fashion as it is an effective strategy when it is used currently.
Press release and guest blogs are very effective marketing strategies. To get the most out of each we have to be careful about how to link anchor text within the content. Here are some upfront tips for using ancho text links in your press release.
Start with A Good Content:
Press release is solemnly used for sharing updated news about your company to a special class of audience you have targeted. You can fill your content with information that will matter to most of the people in light of the present circumstances, some news that will likely to be picked up by famous publications or journalists. The most effective way to garner attention to your website is to provide adequate data in your press release so that it is read and shared vastly among the audience.
Do Not Litter The Content with Keyword Rich Anchor Text:
Using more anchor text links in small paragraphs are not required. Sometimes less is more, in case of keywords in your content. If you use keywords in between every line, Google will remove the content as it will consider as spammy. Instead of putting every possible link to every page of your website, take time to bind those links separately with different content requirements that go well with those links. Use only those links that truly back your news up. More than four anchor text links can get your press release under the category of spam by Google.
Use Proper Keywords with a Strategy:
Links with optimized keywords in an article or press release will be more effective. Too much keyword stuffed press release should be avoided as a marketing content. If you use same or different keywords numerously in a marketing content, it will leave the readers annoyed with a red flag for your website. It is very important process the anchor texts in the right way so that they shed some light on the subject matter rather than making it a thoughtless content. Apart from using the main keyword, you can add one or two longtail keywords depending on your niche to find a place in the sun.
Use Your Brand in Your Anchor Text:
If you just got started in the game and still fighting to achieve prominence, you can use branded links as the anchor text links. It can be a great way to gain strong grounds in the media and pull the crowd towards your varied link profile.
Use URL in The Body:
Along with short and optimized keywords, it’s a good idea to keep full URL somewhere appropriate in the body to increase the visibility of your company. This is a pro tip that is often neglected.
Strategize Your Anchor Text Links for The Press Release:
You must keep your focus on how to use the anchor texts that will be relevant for your business. Specific anchor texts and their use in the body are different. But you must always add your company name to your homepage. It would be preferable to use the name in the first paragraph.
Use different keywords for on-site and off-site posts. Don’t forget to use a generic link as well in the content.
With the changing Google algorithm, we must come up with unique ideas to reach out to most of the audience and shift the linking strategies according to the requirements of the readers.